DAR members, other volunteers work to improve Old Centreville Cemetery

Jef Rietsma
·4 min read

Members of a historic-minded group are working against jurisdictional indifference, the elements and frequent vandalism to restore dignity to a Centreville property rich with local history.

A determined group of women, members of Amos Sturgis Daughters of the American Revolution, have taken a number of steps during the past five years toward much-needed improvements at Old Centreville Cemetery.

The cemetery, bordered by North Dean, Ann and North Nottawa streets, is a full village block in size and holds 1,500 plots. DAR and other volunteers have identified only 399 of those buried there. More than 25 percent of those identified were age 17 or younger.

Laura Telsworth, a DAR member, said a nagging problem is there appears to be no ownership of the parcel. The cemetery is not maintained by Nottawa Township or the village of Centreville.

Research to determine its ownership has been a futile effort, too, she added.

Liz Campbell, a member of the Amos Sturgis chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, said nature and vandalism have taken their toll on a number of headstones at Old Centreville Cemetery. Campbell and DAR members are working methodically to clean and repair the headstones.
Liz Campbell, a member of the Amos Sturgis chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, said nature and vandalism have taken their toll on a number of headstones at Old Centreville Cemetery. Campbell and DAR members are working methodically to clean and repair the headstones.

“Nobody will take care of it, nobody will pay for the upkeep … the village of Centreville apparently doesn’t own it, Nottawa Township doesn’t claim to own it, St. Joseph County doesn’t have a deed for it,” Telsworth said. “Whatever funeral home was the last to conduct a funeral here – it was 1971 – there’s no record of who it was or what information they might have about ownership.”

Research has confirmed that someone in the 1930s walked every square foot of the parcel and, relying on a gravestone or marker, documented every name and, as best they could, date of birth and death, Telsworth said. A similar process was conducted in the 1970s.

Through the years, Amos Sturgis DAR has staged various fundraisers to help cover expenses related to maintenance. Generous volunteers, including Steve Clark and village president Brandy Eckert, keep the property mowed, and also help collect branches and sticks. In addition, members of the Centreville High School football team, Centreville Lions Cub and representatives from Southwest Michigan Women in the Trades have helped in various capacities within the past year.

Sadly, due to persistent vandalism, maintenance has also included repairing toppled headstones.

Laura Telsworth and members of Amos Sturgis chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are in the midst of a years-long process to clean and repair headstones at Old Centreville Cemetery. They have taken inventory of all 1,500 graves, of which 399 of the deceased have been identified.
Laura Telsworth and members of Amos Sturgis chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are in the midst of a years-long process to clean and repair headstones at Old Centreville Cemetery. They have taken inventory of all 1,500 graves, of which 399 of the deceased have been identified.

“The vandalism has sustained even while we continue to work in here,” Telsworth said. “One that we straightened has been knocked over and cracked in half. It gets really discouraging and the blatant lack of respect is what really gets me. We’re trying to improve things here, but it sure slows the process when people come in and vandalize the headstones.”

Telsworth said Amos Sturgis DAR members have undergone extensive training for headstone repair. She said specific materials must be used and a precise process must be followed to correctly repair broken, chipped or cracked headstones.

Funding helps support materials needed to repair headstones, and in some instances, straighten them. The group eventually would like to purchase a six-foot, wrought-iron fence to place around the perimeter of the property in hopes that it will add at least some measure of security and add a nostalgic look.

The cemetery initially featured a white, picket fence around its perimeter.

Although the cemetery’s ownership remains unknown, Nottawa Township and the village of Centreville each has contributed $600 annually toward maintenance-related expenses, Telsworth said.

Liz Campbell and Jo Cherry, members of Amos Sturgis chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, prepare to a lay a wreath at the gravesite of Centreville pioneer Margaret Langley during a ceremony at Old Centreville Cemetery.
Liz Campbell and Jo Cherry, members of Amos Sturgis chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, prepare to a lay a wreath at the gravesite of Centreville pioneer Margaret Langley during a ceremony at Old Centreville Cemetery.

Telsworth understands the school of thought that says, why bother to maintain a no-longer-active cemetery? However, respect for those who are buried there and the cemetery’s history are reasons enough to continue the hard work.

“If it was my grave, or my grandma’s grave in here, for example, I would want somebody to take care of it, keep it up and keep it looking nice,” she said. “I love history, we all do, and this is a place of great and significant history.”

The cemetery includes Margaret Langley, wife of Thomas Langley. It was the first family to settle in Centreville. The cemetery was created in 1831 and the first person buried in it is known only as “Mr. Cooley.” Most people buried at the site died in the 1800s and includes several men who fought in the Civil War.

A wreath was laid at Langley’s grave during a ceremony July 16. In addition, Telsworth led a program where she – dressed in vintage clothing – gave background information about six people. Specifically, she focused on six children buried at the property.

The cemetery is a designated State of Michigan Historic Site.

Volunteers plan to meet July 23 and attempt to straighten up as many headstones as possible.

Donations toward helping preserve and maintain Old Centreville Cemetery may be made through treasurer Liz Campbell, 269-823-3893.

Additional information about Amos Sturgis DAR, bit.ly/3v05QGS, and Old Centreville Cemetery on Facebook, bit.ly/3IRNr56.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: News