Dear Editor,
The Ortonville Cemetery has played a vital role in the community. From honoring veterans to preserving community history to perpetually caring for loved ones’the cemetery grounds, located along M-15 just outside Ortonville, is an icon that continues to remember the past while establishing a future location for generations to come.
The Ortonville Cemetery does not receive funds from the state, county, township or any governmental source. Rather, the cemetery is funded from services provided. The cemetery is managed by a nine-member board that oversees the upkeep and future of the grounds.
However, the Ortonville Cemetery is having difficulty keeping up due to several reasons. Maintenance costs, including gasoline, are increasing along with the cost of labor. In addition, cremations comprise about 50 percent of all burials resulting in less money for cemetery coffers. And while many veterans utilize the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly’the popularity has also depleted revenue for the Ortonville Cemetery. Finally, interest rates are very low, thus the trust fund has yielded fewer dollars for the cemetery.
The cemetery board wants the cemetery maintained at the very highest level. Many cuts have been made in order to keep the facility solvent.
Send tax deductible donations to: Ortonville Cemetery, P.O. Box 433, Ortonville, MI 48462.
Marilyn Featherston