A cemetery is always a place of thoughtfulness and reflection. In Manchester, our own Oak Grove Cemetery is no exception. A walk through the cemetery on the afternoon before Memorial Day shows the older, tree-lined section with dozens of flags honoring veterans of days long gone by (including the American Revolution, Civil War, and the Spanish-Americana War), as well as those from World War I.
The newer section to the west and north is more heavily populated with flags, honoring those who fought in more recent wars–World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq. And the St. Mary Cemetery similarly honors its veterans of the Catholic faith.
At these cemeteries, as well as a dozen or so others in the four-township radius that constitutes Manchester, it’s a family affair for Charles Schiel. For many years, Charlie has taken the duty of placing new flags before Memorial Day at each veteran’s grave.
It is a meaningful time for Charlie, although it has become more difficult as his age and health issues have increased. He is grateful for the help of his family and the support of the community.
The gravesite of Dr. Eleazer Root, who at the age of 15, in 1779, volunteered as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served one year, being stationed at West Point, NY. The star on his flag stand says, “1776” in the center; Dr. Root was born in Connecticut in 1764 and died in 1837 in Manchester. He had spent 43 years as a respected medical practitioner in Canaan, NY, prior to moving to Michigan territory in 1834. The Root family became very prominent in the Manchester area for many years.This gravestone, marked by poppies, is the site of Emil Jacob’s burial. Emil Arthur Jacob was the only Manchester area soldier who was killed in battle during World War I. The American Legion Post #117 is named in his honor. Emil died at the battle of Meuse, Argonne, France, just a month before the end of the war. He was originally buried at the American Military Cemetery in France; but his remains were returned to Manchester and he was buried with full Military Honors in Oak Grove on 23 Oct 1921.Gravestones at small rural cemeteries, such as this one of a Koren War-era veteran at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Freedom Township, are also marked with flags by the local Legion post. The Schiels do 12 local cemeteries, but their son John says that Oak Grove is most challenging because of the many steep hills. Oak Grove Cemetery, especially the newer sites, is dotted with flags marking the resting places of many local World War II, Korea, and Vietnam veterans in addition to more recent conflicts. St. Mary Cemetery, also, is decorated for Memorial Day through the efforts of the Schiel family.
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