Hubbard cemetery seeking funds to expand

HUBBARD — Hubbard Union Cemetery holds memories for many residents in the city and township, as well as out-of-town visitors.

The bond may be loved ones in their earthly resting place, fond recollections of the parades that have started or ended there, attendance at poignant Memorial Day services or peaceful walks through the paved roads that weave through the well-tended plots at 210 Oakdale Ave.

The tranquil appearance belies some turmoil behind the scenes. The almost-20-acre cemetery, established in 1859, has only 138 graves available. If the cemetery doesn’t have graves to sell, it doesn’t make enough money to operate. Some sections are not yet full, but the graves have been sold.

The solution to the space problem is 6 acres on its south side. When ready for use, it would add between 3,500 and 3,600 grave sites to sell and make the cemetery about 26 acres total.

“We logged it with the Amish and sold the wood. It’s cleaned out,” said Daniel P. Livingston, sexton and clerk/treasurer of the cemetery.

The sticking point is money to build roads into that section to make it accessible.

For the complete story, see Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com