Cemetery committee plans clean up day to honor Mike Miner’s memory

The new section of the Oak Grove Cemetery will be named Mike Miner Memorial Drive and signage will be placed designating it as such.

Mike Miner’s loving hand at the Oak Grove Cemetery is already missed. Although a new caretaking company has been hired and is doing a fine job of keeping up with the work needed, Mike’s caring touch will always be remembered and valued.

And so, in his memory, Manchester Township is organizing the “First Annual Mike Miner Clean Up Day” from 9 am to noon on Saturday, May 14. Bring gloves, bring a rake, and be ready to pick up branches, debris, and help spruce-up the town’s historic burial ground. A trailer will be provided to load up branches and trash. Water will also be available to workers, but there will be no bathroom facilities available.

Lot owners are reminded that all grave blankets will need to be removed before this time, or they will be discarded.

The township, which now owns the cemetery, has hired Brad Bouchie as its caretaking service. Bouchie is well experienced and handles several other cemeteries in the area. According to Michael Tindall, who remains active with the cemetery association, Bouchie has a crew that will come in regularly to do mowing and other tasks, as well as the ongoing maintenance and paperwork that is required by the state, and report it to the township.

“We have had just great support from the township during this transition,” Tindall commented.

The newest section of the cemetery, at the eastern edge closest to the village limits, is a small, circular area. That drive will be named “Mike Miner Memorial Drive” at the suggestion of township supervisor Ron Milkey. New brass signage for that driveway has been ordered and a column will be constructed by John Schaible, also a long-time cemetery board member.

Schaible and Tindall will also be constructing a large masonry sign for the cemetery that will be placed near the statue at the front of the property, and will clearly identify it as Oak Grove Cemetery. A plaque will also be added to that sign honoring Miner for 50 years of dedicated service to Oak Grove Cemetery.

Tindall also emphasized that those who had made gift donations to the cemetery both before and since the transition to township ownership, the donations remain considered gifts to the cemetery and will not be used for operating expenses. Those who wish to make donations for a special cause may continue to do so.

This historic cemetery has much significance to most families in this community. We are fortunate that the community continues to support both Oak Grove Cemetery and the memories of those who have gone before.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.