Surveyors recently marking land with small pins on the east side of Oakwood Cemetery, setting pins every 100 feet on both sides of the road. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels.

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW —  Surveyors recently took initial steps in developing a planned expansion on the east side of Oakwood Cemetery, setting pins every 100 feet on both sides of the road.

The new section will provide approximately 1,100 new burial spaces. That number is an average amount of new burial spaces added when a new road is added to the eastern section of the cemetery, beginning with Hickory Street and going east, said Oakwood Cemetery Administrative Assistant Leigh Ann Denlinger.

Oakwood Sexton Hal Heagy said when the weather breaks, they will begin putting in markers as they move closer to opening the section.

Heagy said in the next year or two, he would like to look into beginning the development of some of the 3.5 acres that used to be the Parson Farm. 

“I don’t think all of it’s feasible in one shot, but I’d like to do part of it,” Heagy said.

That decision would be based on budgetary considerations and support from the board.

In another matter, the board reviewed a co-mingling cremains vault request that was brought up at last month’s meeting. The matter was tabled at that time in order to allow Heagy time to meet with City Attorney Scott Reust.

Heagy said Board Member Chris Plack, who was not in attendance Thursday, gave a verbal okay regarding the request. 

“if you two are okay, I don’t know if we have to bring this to a vote,” Heagy said to Board Member Max Mock and Secretary Ellen Hoffer. “Nothing says we have to. I just want you guys all to be in agreement, so are we okay with that?”

“I still think we should take a vote just so we have it in the records,” Hoffer said.

Heagy said he will check with Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. If a vote is required, this will take place at the April meeting. 

In other news: 

• Spring maintenance is underway.
• Less than 20 loads of wood have been given away this year.
• Heagy is looking into putting wifi in at the cemetery chapel.
• The next regular meeting will be 5 p.m. April 1.