Cemetery Walks

Cemetery Walks were conducted at Oak Ridge Cemetery in 2001 and 2002 by the Berrien County Genealogical Society and the Berrien County Historical Society. On September 23, 2001, the Walk featured (1) Dick Proud as Russell McCoy, (2) Don Ryman as Edward Otis, (3) Fred Rogers as William Pears, (4) Carol Kent as Esther Parkinson, and (5) David Abbey as Joseph Coveney. Also, (6) Dale Frie talked about the preservation of tombstones. In 2002, the Walk featured (1) Jack Knight, Hannah Carlisle, (3) Russell McCoy, (4) John D. Ross, (5) Joseph Coveney, (6) "Creating Monuments," and (7) "Caring for old tombstones."

In 2004, the first Cemetery Walk sponsored by the Friends of Oak Ridge Cemetery featured the cemetery's two veterans from the War of 1812 (Kathy Swem—as Esther Montague—presenting Jules Montague, and Bob Brown presenting David Baxter), and sole veteran from the Revolutionary War (Chris Patton as Edward Otis). Additional stops were Wayne Wilcox as Nathaniel Hamilton, Donna Lace talking about the Potter's Field and Kathryn Park grave stones, Lyle Sumerix showing cleaned and repaired stones, and Bob Brown talking about the Civil War cannon.

The 2005 Cemetery Walk featured Corbin Detgen as George H. Richards and Kathy Swem as Betsy Day. Civil War Reenactor Jeff Joyce talked about the Civil War statue and its donor, James Calleyhan. Bob and Joe Bachman talked about the Beistle family, and Bob Brown presented the Bainton family. Donna Lace talked about cleaning and repairing grave stones, and Ron Bennett talked about flag holders and the organizations they represent.

The 2006 Cemetery Walk featured the newly-completed memorial area for "The Old Burying Ground" (Kathryn Park grave stones area), with Ron Bennett serving as docent for this area. In addition, Donna Lace talked about cleaning and repairing grave stones, and Don Ryman portrayed Jacob J. Van Riper (who was Michigan's Attorney General, first elected in 1880). Also, Lyle Sumerix talked about Tom Fulton (at the Fulton/Ross monument), and Rex Dillman, dressed as a Civil War soldier, talked about William B. Perrott (after whom the local Post 22 of the Grand Army of the Republic was named). And finally, Kathy Swem portrayed Jane (Mansfield) Wagner at the More Mausoleum—the Mansfield family came to Buchanan (then McCoy's Creek) in 1842.

The 2007 walk featured two individuals who are not buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery: Corbin Detgen talked about Jack ‘Sky' Knight, after whom the Knight Chapel is named (and whose ashes were scattered over Lake Michigan). His mother and step-mother and other family members are buried at the Smith family monument in Section 20. Kathy Swem portrayed Rachel (Cooper) Alexander (1821-1859), the first wife of one of Buchanan's most famous businessmen and contractors, Lorenzo P. Alexander. In addition, Don Ryman portrayed Dr. Francis M. Berrick, who was a minister, Harvard-educated lawyer, and a practicing homeopathic physician. At other stops, Bob Bachman talked about the partly-completed Front St. entrance sign, Donna Lace showed recently repaired grave stones in Section 17 and demonstrated cleaning techniques, and Ron Bennett talked about our Potter's Field project and showed the progress to date. In both 2006 and 2007, Bob Brown gave a short introductory talk, showing photos of the featured individuals and/or their houses.

"Since 2008 was the sesquicentennial for Buchanan (150th anniversary of its incorporation as a village), the cemetery walk featured the six men who were members of Buchanan's original village government (elected in March 1858) and who are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Corbin Detgen portrayed James Matthews (the first village President) and Don Ryman portrayed Alfred Richards, Sr. (a Trustee). Kathy Swem portrayed Frances (Totten) Whitman, daughter of Trustee Daniel Totten. Fred J. Moore came from the Lansing area to portray his ancestor, Caleb J. Ingersoll, one of the original Trustees. Bob Brown talked about Dr. John M. Roe (a Trustee) and John W.R. Lister (an Assessor) in his introduction to the walk.

Ron Bennett was at the not-yet-completed Front Street entrance sign. Jerry and LeAnn Flenar demonstrated techniques for cleaning grave stones. Bob Cooley and Tom Lister demonstrated stone repairing. Lyle Sumerix, Donna Lace, Marie Kangas and Nancy Cooley manned the tables at the Knight's Chapel."

A brochure with information about each of the stops has been handed out at each of the cemetery walks sponsored by the Friends of Oak ridge Cemetery. An index (with additional information about each of the featured individuals) is also available.