By David Fleet
Editor
Groveland Twp.-On Monday night by a 5-0 vote the board of trustees approved township resident William McIninch to serve as the new cemetery sexton.
The board of trustees oversees two township cemeteries Mt. Bethel Cemetery near Jossman Road, the Olive Branch Cemetery North Holly Road on the southwest corner of the township is also under their jurisdiction. The Olive Branch Cemetery has about 200 graves, some dating back to about 1850, and includes Civil War era markers. Many are area residents that moved here from New York
According to Michigan Compiled Laws, if the cemetery is not owned by an association, it then becomes the responsibility of the township to properly take care of the property.
“The biggest thing we are concerned with is when someone wants to be buried we know where to dig and which plot,” said David Ax, township treasure. “Right now the graves don’t have markers. We need to get better organized.”
William McIninch is the owner of McIninch Monument, 5380 Dixie Highway, Waterford.
“These are loved ones,” said McIninch. “I have worked in the funeral business my entire life and have a lot of experience with families. Cemeteries require upkeep from leaning markers to tree trimming to general clean up they to be kept in order. We also need good record keeping and often in the older cemeteries that is lacking. It’s about respect and no one should have an unmarked grave. They are loved ones and never should be forgotten.”