New Castle Courier Times
Lewisville residents plan to rescue depleted cemetery fund
By Sandy Moore STAFF REPORTER
4-13-2004
LEWISVILLE - When a burial was made in the Lewisville Cemetery in the early 1920s, the
cost of a gravesite varied from $3 to $8. Things have changed considerably in the 84 years
since then.
Although concerned Lewisville citizens have maintained a perpetual-care fund through the
years, the interest gained on the fund is not sufficient to maintain the cemetery's
$25,000 yearly budget.
Cost of repairs, mowing expenses and insurance have skyrocketed, leaving the cemetery fund
lacking.
According to State Rep. Tom Saunders, Lewisville Cemetery Association secretary-treasurer,
in 2003 the VFW, American Legion and Lewisville residents donated money to repair most of
the existing stone retaining wall surrounding the north side of the cemetery. The
association board has in mind the completion of the project, the repair of several
tombstones and hopefully the purchase of stone for the driveways.
In an effort to bolster funding for the cemetery needs, Lewisville citizens have joined
together with the seven-member Lewisville Cemetery Association to sponsor a benefit
chicken noodle dinner from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the Lewisville Presbyterian Church
fellowship hall. (note change from Shelter House, the church is on US 40 in Henry County,
Indiana)
In addition to chicken and noodles, the menu will include homemade yeast rolls, green
beans, mashed potatoes, and pies, cakes and desserts. Noodles will be provided by the
Salem Church, Saunders will provide the chicken, members of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church
and Lewisville Presbyterian Church will donate homemade desserts, Joyce Deebel is making
yeast rolls and Mary Lou Cox has donated the potatoes. Carry outs will be available. A
freewill offering will be taken.
The event will be a community effort to beautify the local cemetery and strengthen the
financial status of the cemetery fund. Those who have loved ones in the cemetery and who
wish to donate to the project may contribute funds to: Lewisville Cemetery Association, in
care of Tom Saunders, P.O. Box 218, Lewisville, IN. 47352. For additional information,
call Saunders at 765-987-7572.
In addition to Saunders, the cemetery board includes president Harold Pfaff, David Sweet,
Mary Lou Cox, Keith Alhands, Charles Gillespie and Tom Woodward.