Vandalized grave marker to be replaced in Lancaster

LANCASTER, Ohio (AP) — The cemetery and a maker of bronze grave markers will replace a marker that Ohio authorities say was damaged by a man rejected by the dead woman’s daughter.

Paul Chait, manager of Floral Hills Memory Gardens, says the cemetery here has agreed to split the $3,000 cost of a new marker with Matthews Bronze, of Pittsburgh.

Chait says after the decision was made, more than 100 people called or e-mailed offering to help pay to replace the damaged grave marker that police say was hit with a sledge hammer.

Twenty-one-year-old Steven Locke of Lancaster pleaded not guilty Monday to a felony charge of vandalism. Police accuse him of attacking the woman’s grave to hurt her daughter for refusing to date him.