Who's buried in Mesa cemeteries?

While Mesa may have come from humble beginnings as a pioneer town, its graveyards tell the story of an important and historic town. The cemetery, which was founded in 1891, offers visitors a look at the city's history through the stories of those buried there.

In its cemeteries, you can find famous musicians and changemakers.

Who's buried across the Valley: Phoenix | Scottsdale | Chandler | Tempe | Glendale | Surprise

Waylon Jennings

June 15, 1937 - Feb. 13, 2002

Waylon Jennings was a famous country singer who got his start during the late '50s. Jennings recorded over 60 albums, and had 16 No. 1 country singles. His music career started at the age of 12 in Texas.

He sang with Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. Jennings became a regular attraction at a Tempe club called JD’s in the early 1960s. Jennings was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He had many ties to Mesa and is buried in Mesa Cemetery.

Famous tunes: Jennings listed on top 100 essential Arizona records

Kelly Lynn Cooper

Jan. 19, 1968 - Aug. 25, 1984

Kelly Cooper was a 16-year-old murdered in 1984. She and her friend disappeared in Mesa. Their bodies were found three days later along the Beeline Highway near Scottsdale.

The killer is serving a life sentence. Cooper is buried in Mesa Cemetery.

Ernesto Miranda

March 9, 1941 - Jan. 31, 1976

Ernesto Miranda of “Miranda rights” fame is buried in the Mesa cemetery. Though he was stabbed to death over a $2 poker bet at a Phoenix bar in January 1976, according to Associated Press articles, his case led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on Miranda rights.

Who was Ernesto Miranda? Arizona man's case leaves lasting impact on suspects

Lucius C. Alston

Sept. 2, 1892 - Sept. 16, 1958

Lucius C. Alston was Mesa's first Black doctor. Alston graduated from the University of Tennessee and participated in postgraduate work at Columbia University. He died in Los Angeles, California, but is buried in Mesa Cemetery. His wife, Velma, is buried next to him at Mesa Cemetery.

Zedo Ishikawa

May 31, 1915 - Sept. 22, 1932

Zedo Ishikawa was a Boy Scout, a farmer and a Mesa High student. He was popular among his classmates and was the football team's starting quarterback. Ishikawa’s dying words still live in the motto for Mesa High School: “Carry on.” The star football player at Mesa High said those words, written on his gravestone in Japanese characters, as he lay dying from an accidental shooting. He is buried at Mesa Cemetery.

'Carry On': Zedo Ishikawa's legacy lives on at Mesa High

Peter John Schaefer

Dec. 12, 1881 - Nov. 25, 1918

Peter John Schaefer died of the Spanish flu in November 1918. He was a farmer and father of three children.

The Arizona Republic archives: Forgotten faces of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic

Military graves and memorials

There are many military graves found in the Mesa Cemetery. In the cemetery, you can find a memorial that marks the graves of various Allied airmen who died during training at Falcon Field during World War II. These include the graves of Royal Air Force (RAF) cadets who also died while training at Falcon Field during World War II.

The RAF cadets were Alexander T. Brooks, James G. Buchanan, John G. Versturme-Bunbury, William Burke, Peter D. Campbell, Walter W. Chamberlain, Reginald G.H. Clarke, Paul C.J. Colling, George Davison, John R. Durston, Frank Glew, John L. Gomm, Harold E. Hartley, Robert B. Horn, Robert Lawther, Arthur R. Lewis, Anthony S. Lovett, Peter F. Mitson, Albert Morris, Horace R.J. Partoon, Jack Payne, Alec H. Sutton and William J. Watters.

Unique grave markers

Cemeteries often feature graves with unique markers. Mesa Cemetery is no exception. One of the graves in the cemetery features a statue of a baby angel to decorate a headstone for a Hells Angels member.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who's buried in Mesa cemeteries?