Old Du Quoin Cemetery Board Building Photo Database of Markers

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Every now and then somebody just steps up to care.

That's what's happening at one of Perry County's most historic cemeteries--the Old Du Quoin Cemetery--cradle for much of south Perry County's early history.

It is the very root of Du Quoin itself, a town dragged by oxen in the early 1800s from "Old Town" to where Du Quoin is now.

The Old Du Quoin Cemetery Association held its quarterly meeting on January 12, 2010 in the conference room at the Du Quoin First Pentecostal Church.

President Robert Boyett called the meeting to order with a prayer.

Members present were President Robert Boyett, vice-president Audrey Webb, treasurer Alda Fred, trustee John Fred, secretary Sherry Stowers, Paul Stowers, Mike Kilmer, Bessie Gant and Marsha and Charles Fox.

Other members, but who were unable to attend include Richard Thompson, Silas Morgan, Bob and Suzie Osborn, Dorothy Huelsman, Tamaroa Winkleman, Don Siefert and Max Voyles.

Members of the association are working on carved cedar planks to put on the unmarked graves. Plans are to have some of these placed before the Memorial Day holiday. They may also be seen at the visitor tent at the cemetery during that weekend.

Boyett is compiling a family sheet database with pictured of each tombstone. After completed, this database will be contributed to a Web site called Ancestry.com on the internet. Millions of genealogy buffs will be able to view these records in search of ancestors.

He is also working on an annual mailer to be sent out to all people who have burial sites or relatives buried at the cemetery.

Work will also include adding fine rock over the base rock on the roads at the cemetery as the weather breaks. Paul Stowers made that motion, seconded by John Fred.

Members are sill gathering recipes for a future Old Du Quoin Cemetery cookbook. Friends of the cemetery are being ask to send them to Alda Fred, Sherry Stowers or Audrey Webb. Ask your relatives for any recipes they would like to contribute.

The treasurer's report was presented by Alda Fred. There is a donation box under the light by the soldier and flag at the front of the cemetery for anyone wanting to help with the upkeep of the cemetery. The cemetery operates on donations.

All who contributed to the upkeep of the cemetery were thanked during the meeting.