MCA

Marion Cemetery World War II Veterans Memorial
With each breath of freedom, we honor their sacrifice
Photo courtesy of Lew Lause Photography

Our World War II Veterans paid an extremely high price for the preservation of the freedoms we enjoy to this day. Their lives were forever changed through the experience of what everyone hoped would be “the war to end all wars.” And of course, we must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives in the name of liberty.

In the 1940s the Marion community constructed an Honor Roll of Marion County WW II service men and women at the west end of the courthouse. Over the years, the wooden structure slowly deteriorated from weather conditions, and it was eventually removed from the courthouse in the 1970s.

When the Honor Roll was taken down, the idea of replacing it with a permanent WW II memorial was first conceived by a small group of people consisting of Bob Richardson, Jim Riedl, Jim Sloan, Maxine Marshall and Dick West. Although two (Richardson and West) are now deceased, the dream lived on and began to take shape in the late 1990s with the formation of the Marion County WW II Veterans Memorial Committee. The committee members were committed to building a memorial benefiting the significance and magnitude of the total WW II effort.

The committee consulted with local veterans groups and reached a consensus to proceed with the plan. The Marion Cemetery Association donated the land, and the group raised approximately five hundred thousand dollars from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund the project and make the dream a reality. The memorial was dedicated Memorial Day, May 28, 2001.

This memorial stands as a symbol of gratitude for the sacrifices of local WW II veterans. It is one of the largest memorials in area outside of Washington, D.C.

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Chapel
Soon after the close of the Civil War, a number of citizens of Marion formed a Soldiers and Sailors Monumental Association. The association's object was to raise funds for the construction of a suitable monument to perpetuate the memory of the brave men, who in the hour of our country's danger, protected the country and flag they loved so well.

After much discouragement and finding that sufficient funds could not be raised, they resorted to taxation. A bill was introduced into the Legislature and quickly passed, authorizing the Marion County Commissioners to levy a tax of one mill. This, in time, furnished ample means to build the monument. The Monumental Association, decided to construct the monument on land donated by the Marion Cemetery Association.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHAPEL: The total cost of the monument was $14,939.75. The Marion Cemetery Association’s donations of ground to build the chapel on and improvements to the cemetery amounted to the sum of $2,634.50. The chapel is built with stone, iron and slate, and the doors are of native oak. There is Italian marble lining the interior from base to windows. On these tablets are inscribed with the names of more than 2800 men who went to the Civil War from Marion County and the solders who were residents when the levy was passed. Also included are the names of Revolutionary and the War of 1812 residents of Marion county at the time of construction.

The memorial was dedicated Wednesday, August 22, 1888 in the presence of an immense audience, composed largely of soldiers and their families. The dedication was delivered by General William H. Givson. The chapel grounds is in perpetual care of the Marion Cemetery Association and is on the National Register of Historical Places.

Receiving Vault
As early as 1873, a resolution was passed by the Marion Cemetery Association to build a receiving vault as soon as the money was made available to build the vault. In 1879, Trustees A.H. Kling, P.O. Sharples and George Crawford, after reviewing the plans furnished by D.W. Giffs, an architect from Toledo, Ohio, felt the time had come to build the vault.

VAULT MATERIALS: The materials used in the construction of the receiving vault were brick for the double arch of the vault proper, limestone with Berea stone trimmings for the front walls, and cement for the floor. The vault was also furnished with a fine carpet, curtains, etc., to brighten its gloomy appearance when used on funeral occasions. A glance at the building will show that it is a beautiful, yet massive structure, and upon examination it will be found to be as nearly perfect as a building of its kind can be, being almost perfect in ventilation, free from darkness, dampness and gloom. The vault proper is provided with solid iron doors and is locked, allowing admittance to cemetery personnel only. The vestibule is floored with marble and slate, and is provided with a heavy, grated, iron door.

A SAFE BURIAL FOR EVERYONE: When the receiving vault was constructed in 1873, bodies of the dead were still being used for scientific experimentation. Bodies placed in the vault were free from the danger of the desecrating hands of the resurrectionists and were safe until the danger of dissection was past and they would be safely buried. With the construction of the vault, and the safety measures taken with iron gated doors and heavy locks, grave watchers were no longer necessary.

FINAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS: The final cost for the construction of the vault was $2500. That cost also included grading of the grounds in the immediate vicinity and the construction of a graveled avenue 32 feet wide in its front. The vault proved to not only be an object pleasing to look at, but has proved to be what the the community was looking for to keep their loved ones safe. The vault also stimulated burial lot sales within the city and county.

A TEMPORARY RESTING PLACE FOR THE PRESIDENT: When President Warren G. Harding passed away in 1923 there was no permanent memorial in Marion. His remains were temporarily interned in the receiving vault until the Harding Memorial could be constructed. Armed soldiers stood watch at the vault night and day protecting the President‘s body. When the Harding Memorial was finished, President Harding and his wife, Florence, were moved for permanent burial. The vault is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Merchant Family Memorial
(Featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not)
In 1886 the Merchant family of Marion constructed what they thought would be a beautiful and fitting grave monument for their family burial plot in Marion Cemetery. Within two years after its construction, someone noticed that the 5,200 pound polished granite ball atop the pedestal had begun to rotate. The only unpolished spot on the ball was now visible, indicating the ball was on the move. The Merchant family, being concerned about this, brought the erection crew back to the site to re-set the ball. It was not long before the ball again began its now continuous movement. There have been many speculations, but there is no specific explanation for this.

In 1929, the monument was featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not,” a famous newspaper cartoon, and the monument has since gained international recognition.

Outside the ”Ripley's Believe It or Not” Museum in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, there is a water fountain mysteriously created in the image of this now famous family memorial.

Marion Law Enforcement Memorial
The members of the Marion County Fraternal Order of Police had long believed that there was a need in our county to honor the law enforcement officers that have given their lives in the line of duty. In 2000, efforts began to make this memorial a reality. With the cooperation of the Marion Cemetery Association and Jim Riedl, a location in the Marion Cemetery was secured for the memorial.

The Marion County Fraternal Order of Police funded the $15,000 project and sold pavers and benches to assist in the financing. The memorial was erected and dedicated in the spring of 2001. The keynote speaker was Gilbert Gallegos, the national Fraternal Order of Police president from New Mexico.

This memorial is dedicated to the memory of the four law enforcement officers that have given the ultimate sacrifice. Every year during Police Memorial Week, Marion county holds a ceremony at the memorial to honor the fallen brethren. For additional information call 387-2525 or e-mail the Steve Young Memorial Lodge #24 at www.fop24.org.

Marion Fire Department Memorial

In early October 2006, a committee of Marion Fire Department firefighters, Cory Rogers, Billy Whitaker and Asst. Chief Tony Zwolle, decided a Fireman’s memorial should be erected.

Jim Riedl, Superintendent of Marion Cemetery was contacted to see if it could be placed on the cemetery grounds

Jim, along with the cemetery board, decided to donate the land and the plans were laid. The land donated would be just north of the main entrance gate. The monument would face west to be seen from Delaware Avenue.

Cory Rogers and Billy Whitaker approached David Whitaker of the American Legion Post 584 to see if they would give financial assistance. The membership of Post 584 agreed to finance the project which would total $25,000.00.

The monument, designed by the committee and Jim Riedl would consist of black and gray granite. The side black polished wing panels would adorn the Fireman’s Prayer and Honor Roll of the 11 firefighters who lost their lives. The center black granite pillar would house the gray granite fireman’s statue and bronze fireman’s logo. The patio would be tiled with gray granite 12 x 12 squares. These would be sold and engraved with the purchasers wording. Benches will be added at a later date that will line the patio.

Many hours were spent making sure all names and dates were correct.

In November 2006, the monument was ordered and an estimated delivery date was scheduled for April or May.

April 2007, the monument arrived and was erected into position. All engraving was done by Robert Johns of C & J Lettering out of Lima. Johns is a retired firefighter.

The dedication was scheduled for October 9, 2007 at 10:00 at the monument. This date was chosen because it is during Fire Prevention Week.

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