Grave Damage at the Oysterville Cemetery

Peter Janke Photo

A Peter Janke Photo

The ink was not yet dry (so to speak) on yesterday’s blog before Dan Driscoll wrote that contrary to my storm damage (as in the lack thereof) report, the North End of Oysterville had suffered considerably. Especially the cemetery. And he referenced our neighbor Peter Janke’s photos.

A Corky Biggs Photo

A Corky Biggs Photo

A Peter Janke Photo

A Peter Janke Photo

Hard on the heels of that notification, Ron Biggs came by to say that he was contacting a couple of contractors to see who could take care of the tree that had fallen across the Stevens’ plot. “They’ll need a bucket truck,” he said. “It may be spendy.”

As President of the Oysterville Cemetery Association, it is Ron who oversees the graveyard’s physical needs. Often he and his wife Corky do necessary cleanup themselves, but this time is different. We’ll need professional help and, as the official Secretary/Treasurer and writer-of-checks, that’s where I come in. All I could think of was “at least our hillside didn’t slide away like at the Ilwaco Cemetery.” And, “I wonder why the Peninsula’s poor old cemeteries are on Mother Nature’s hit list right now.”

Ron also said that he had locked the gate to the cemetery for the time being. People can still walk in but vehicles won’t be permitted until the road is passable. “Until then,” he said, “it would be hard to get around without running over the grass; we don’t need more damage.”

A Peter Janke Photo

A Peter Janke Photo

I haven’t been up there yet to see for myself. The Stevens’ (no relation) plot is right next to the Espy section and is one of the oldest in the cemetery. Ron said he doesn’t think the main stone was damaged although it looks like the top section might have been knocked off. “We’ll know more when they get that tree out of there and we can see it clearly,” he said.

Ditto, I guess, the sign that marks the graves of unknown sailors. It looks as though the wooden posts broke off and it just toppled over. Corky says that Ron can take care of that one. Bless him!

One Response to “Grave Damage at the Oysterville Cemetery”

  1. Death comes to the cemetery.

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