East Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery
Okemos, Ingham County

The East Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery is on 2400 Bennett Road, Okemos.  517-349-9180 weekdays or 517-349-4265 weekends & holidays. This dedication speech was delivered by the Founder, Gloyd F. Stadel, of East Lawn Memory Gardens at the time of dedication of this cemetery on November 12, 1961, while standing in front of the devotional bible in the Garden of Prayer. (The following is also inscribed on Gloyd F. Stadel's headstone.) The idea for this cemetery was conceived a number of years ago. After an extensive search for suitable property and the same having been found, East Lawn Memory Gardens was incorporated for the express purpose of developing and managing East Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. After necessary legal procedures had been completed an agreement between East Lawn Memory Gardens and the American Bank and Trust Company as Trustee for the irrevocable Perpetual Care and Maintenance Trust Fund was executed May 25, 1959. On this date, the first interment spaces were purchased by Ralph E. and Leona M. McNatt. One year later, May 25, 1960. The first of twenty-two interments was made. I, as Founder of East Lawn Memory Gardens, shall set forth my beliefs: I believe in God and the Holy Bible. I believe it is right and proper that we set aside certain places to bury our dead. I believe these places should be as gardens for it was in a garden that man was first placed to dress it and keep it. I believe these gardens should be beautiful and contain sculptured art pieces with the words and teachings from our Holy Book to remind us of God's presence and his promise of eternal life. I believe there should be graceful trees, beautiful sweeping lawns, delightful flowers; - a blending of nature which God has given us, the young and old, rich and poor, alike. I believe in these gardens the young will find inspiration, the old will see promise, the troubled will find serenity, the grieving will find solace and all will find peace. In these gardens, the beauty of nature blended with the beauty of our faith, will be a place of tranquility for the living as well as for our departed loved ones. These are my beliefs and with supreme guidance, I solemnly resolve that I shall make them a reality here in East Lawn Memory Gardens. I now prayerfully ask for the supreme guidance of and dedicate this memorial and cemetery to Almighty God our Father. The Founder and Builder, Gloyd F. Stadel Headstones (Click on the underlined links to view the tombstone photograph)

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