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Last Words, Medina County, 6/24/1982
Epitaphs show death no laughing matter
Here lies Ann Mann;
She lived an Old Maid
But died an Old Mann
by "Sam" Boyer
Epitaphs.
Much has been written about the famous and not-so-famous saying written upon the tombstones of the world.
And what with American History month just around the corner, this reporter decided to explore the cemeteries of Medina Country to see just what might be found in the epitaphs of our own departed citizens.
UNFORTUNATELY, it seems, there wasn't much of a sense of humor about death hereabouts. The says we found reflect a strong sense of religion' of the loss of loved ones; and at least one vengeful statement.
HARRIET
daughter of Sally and
JOAB MARCH
Born Jan. 17, 1836
Murdered by her husband
JOHN NOBLES
July 26, `875
Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Liverpool Twp. is the location of the juicy piece of information in which the name of the alleged murderer was as large as that of the deceased. Mom and dad were obviously not letting the matter go by unnoticed. The stone for the alleged murderer couldn't be found; perhaps he lies unremembered nearby.
MEDINA'S old cemetery near the courthouse carries this message on the stone of James Welch of Co. II, 8 Regt., OVI; wounded at Gettysburg July 3, 1963.
Rest soldier, rest in quiet sleep
While friends in sorrow o'er thee weep
And here their heartfelt offerings bring
And near thy grave they requiem sing.
Unfortunately, most of the oldest stones are no longer legible. One can sometimes read the name and date, but not the inscription which many obviously bore. Most appear to be poetic, however. But they are made of soapstone and sandstone and the years have taken a heavy toll.
Two monument companies serve Medina County from Medina, Daily Monument and Kotecki Monument. According to Sharon Shaw, manager and Gudrun Menton, assistant manager of Kotecki, the reason why moe modern stones don't seem to include an epitaph may be because people have seen how the old stones have worn away.
That shouldn't be a problem any longer, however. They note that all stones are now made from granite which virtually lasts forever.
People here, they said, are really more into purchasing stones with notable shapes rather than with unusual messages. And a tour through virtually any cemetery will prove that out. Unfortunately, the shape chosen is not explained - and some of them are less than obvious.
The women note that it is difficult to ge the message across that people should preplan their headstones like any other part of their estate. If a person would like a message, someone should know about it. Survivors inevitably have a different viewpoint - and one clouded by the sadness of the loss. So if you'd like to leave a message for all time - better tell someone, order it now or write it down in your will
THE MOST POPULAR phrase in all the county, it seems, is "Gone but not forgotten." One, that of Emily Blakeslee, 1871-1955, used an explanation as an epitaph: "She gave over half a century to the healing of mankind."
Short but heartwarming sayings are more "in" right now. Sayings such as "No man chooses how he will die; but each man chooses how he will live;" "There's no friend like a mother and no mother quite like you" or "Budded on earth to bloom in heaven," for a child are very popular right now.
But flowery verses such as "Farewell bright soul, a short farewell. Till we shall meet again above. In the sweet groves where pleasures dwell. And trees of life bear fruits of love," as on the grave of Dr. Seth Blood of Brunswick are really the mainstay of the early 1800 stones.
THE TWO wives of Capt. Daniel Tillotsen are buried together. This might cause some awkward moments, but nevertheless, the following graces their tombstone; Our flesh shall slumber in the ground; Till the last joyful trumpet sounds. Then burst the graves in sweet surprise, and in our Saviour's image rise."
A survivor's despare may be found in this 1829 verse: "Relentless death! Dissolve this house of clay. Parts nearest friends and sweeps our hopes away."
So if you would like to spend some interesting aftenoons, (this reporter spent two days covering 10 locations) visit your local graveyard. But you more than likely will not find anything to draw a chuckle like that once proposed by humorist Dorothy Parker for her own departure:
Pardon my dust!
An ornate monument to William Alfred Stevens, "Gone but not forgotten," is typical of the monuments which contain a lot of information but no insight into the personality of the deceased.
"Not dead but sleepeth," is the inscription on the 1860 grave of Andrew Kennedy.
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