WARSAW — Two visitors were in attendance at the Thursday, June 1, Oakwood Cemetery board meeting. Tony Lloyd, president of Patten Monument Company of Indiana, Warsaw, attended the meeting along with Dan Forbes. Lloyd announced that Forbes will become co-manager at Patten Monument as Lloyd is retiring at the end of the month.

Lloyd added, “I’d like to say, having been at Patten Monument for 41 years, I’ve attended numerous cemetery board meetings as a visitor and it’s been my privilege to work with a number of sextons and board members. I’ve appreciated their courtesy over all those years. They’ve been a good group of people.”

Oakwood Cemetery Board President Dave Baumgartner said he attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery and stated, “The place looked great, Hal, and it’s because of you and your staff.” Sexton Hal Heagy responded to the praise by giving credit to “My wonderful employees who work very hard,” adding that his employees keep the area looking nice all the time, not just for the Memorial Day ceremony. Heagy said they have hired four new part-time employees to help out through the summer months.

Heagy discussed issues with the water main at the cemetery. According to Heagy, there is no mapping of the water system and, “It’s a nightmare,” when something goes wrong with it. Heagy said the most recent repair of a water main leak was an all day job for three people in addition to the mowing and other preparations for the Memorial Day ceremony.

Oakwood Cemetery recently purchased an E50 track hoe. Heagy said the question has been asked as to why the cemetery purchases new equipment rather than used. According to Heagy, this is due to the municipal discount they receive. Heagy explained that with this discount they are able to purchase new equipment at a lower cost than what they would pay for used equipment, with the added bonus of the warranty that comes with new equipment.

An office vehicle was recently purchased for use at Oakwood. This vehicle can be used by the cemetery secretary when showing lots or making trips to town. Heagy stated they purchased a 2009 Impala that was formerly used as a police vehicle. Heagy said the seats have been put back in and the vehicle has been transitioned back to a civilian vehicle.