Handcrated Cedar Planks Placed on Unmarked Gravesw in Old Du Quoin
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Both the caring and the painstaking attention to detail are extraordinary as members of the Old Du Quoin Cemetery Association go about their work of fully identifying unmarked graves in the Old Du Quoin Cemetery.
As the graves are identified, sanded and sealed cedar planks with the hand-carved name of each decedent is being placed back onto the grave in an ongoing program to make both the cemeteries and the families buried there whole again. Some of the planks contain birth and/or death dates.
It is important work because Old Du Quoin is the birthplace and cradle for the City of Du Quoin itself. Approximately 160 years ago houses and storefronts were dragged across the prairie by teams of oxen and horses so townspeople could be closer to the Illinois Central Railroad. Because of that, Du Quoin was founded in 1853. Make no mistake; the work is important to all of us.
The quarterly meeting of the association was held recently and the minutes convey just how much this association cares.
President Robert Boyett called the meeting to order with a prayer, Members present were Mr. Boyett, vice-president Audrey Webb; treasurer Alda Fred; trustees John Fred and Don Siefert; secretary Sherry Stowers, Paul Stowers, Bessie Gant, Max Voyles and Richard Anheuser. Those unable to attend were Richard Thompson, Dorothy Huelsman, Tamara Winkleman, Charlie and Marsha Fox and Mike Kilmer.
The association decided there will be a greeting tent at the cemetery for Memorial Day weekend. Members will be there to greet and help in any way.
The association is still working on those carved cedar planks. Many were placed on graves by Mother's Day. Samples can be seen in the visitor tent during the Memorial Say weekend before they are placed back on graves.
The board is waiting on information from the new Cemetery Oversight Act signed by Governor Pat Quinn. The act creates a regulatory structure for all funeral businesses and cemeteries in Illinois.
The Old Du Quoin Cemetery is not a perpetual care cemetery and board members do not intend for it to be one.
Future plans include the placement of an historical marker honoring Chief Jean Baptiste Ducoigne on either October 3 or 10.
The Beaucoup Creek Chapter NSDAR will be placing the stone, conducting a program and a reception. The association thanks the ladies for this tireless dedication to service and patriotism. More information will be made available late.
Paul Stowers made a motion to get a new sign for the cemetery entrance. The sign will carry a likeness of Chief Ducoigne and it will be hung before the marker is dedicated.
Members are now selling chances on a beautiful queen-size quilt. The tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The tickets will also be available at the Farmers Market and in the visitor's tent on Memorial Day weekend. The winning ticket will be drawn at the July 13 meeting of the association.
There will be books and/or CDs about the Old Du Quoin School and an obituary book of some of the people buried in the cemetery for sale at the visitor's tent. Recipes are still being accepted for an Old Du Quoin Cemetery Association cookbook.
Beth Pyatt and Richard Anheuser were welcomed as new members. The next meeting is July 13 at the United Pentecostal Church in Du Quoin.