In 1989 the Tyrone Grandview Cemetery Association was re-organized after this historic cemetery regressed into disrepair. Grass and weeds were knee high and much work needed to be done. Members of the new board started to raise money and the churches of Tyrone, chaired by Father Carl of St. Matthew’s, attacked the cemetery. In a few years the association had new bylaws, was incorporated as non-profit and the grass and weeds were under control. There was money in a trust fund to generate income to have the cemetery mowed five or six times a year and things were going pretty well. Members of the board, the community and various organizations helped to maintain the cemetery and do the spring and fall cleanups.
Over the years, five members of the board have passed away and interest generated from the trust fund decreased. A few interested persons attended the annual meetings and offered help but it grew difficult to get a quorum at the meetings due to illness and most of the remaining board members could no longer go to the cemetery twice a year and clean. Pleas were made for new lot owners to step up and serve but only one person responded.
So, it comes to another year of worrying and fretting over the condition of Tyrone’s oldest cemetery where our ancestors and loved ones rest. There are only seven left to serve on the board with an average age of 65-plus. The trust fund will produce more income hopefully this year and one organization and church in Tyrone still sends a monetary gift each year which helps with mowing.
The annual meeting will be held in May. New officers are to be elected as the present officers have been in office for eight years. New people are needed, new ideas. If new interest in this wonderful old cemetery doesn’t happen it might go into disrepair again. A future announcement will be published for the time and place of the annual meeting. Please plan to attend and be willing to serve as an officer or as an interested person.
This year’s cleanup will be a bit easier thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club and their fall cleanup last year. The cemetery looked good going into winter but much attention will be needed after the winter months.
The board asks that individuals think hard on this request and if anyone is willing and able to attend the annual meeting, please do so. The loved ones at Grandview deserve the devotion. The present board has worked hard to keep this cemetery going but without help, they just can’t do it anymore.
