Community Efforts Transform Chesterton Cemetery After Storm Damage

Volunteer Contributions Make A Difference

Chesterton Cemetery manager Cheryl Bachman acknowledges the invaluable contributions of volunteers in cleaning up tree debris from the August 11 derecho. ‘It’s priceless,’ she shared, expressing appreciation for the community members’ dedication. ‘Some have been here every day.’

John Goodloe, a volunteer, actively participated in clearing fallen branches as members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) William Henry Harrison Chapter and other volunteers worked at the cemetery on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

DAR Initiatives in Historic Preservation

The Daughters of the American Revolution William Henry Harrison Chapter engaged in tree-related tasks to rejuvenate the cemetery. Regent Sherry Taylor highlighted the significance of their work in preserving the cemetery’s historical section. ‘This is the historic part of the cemetery, and it needs our attention,’ she stated.

Mike Taylor, recruited by Sherry Taylor, utilized his chainsaw to tackle a large fallen maple tree affecting grave markers. ‘The tree’s lying on one marker, and there’s one damaged, completely off the base.’ Despite existing damage, he remained cautious to prevent further harm to the markers.

Large trunks obstructed headstones as volunteers made concerted efforts to protect smaller stones from damage. Mike Taylor employed strategic placement of logs to shield the stones while cutting tree trunks and limbs.

Personal Connections To The Cemetery

Former regent Diane Schweitzer emphasized the personal significance of her volunteer work. ‘I’ve got a lot of family here, and this is where I’m going to be.’ Her connection extends to reserved plots within the cemetery.

Schweitzer highlighted how her family’s involvement renders their work meaningful.

The DAR invests extensive volunteer hours in cemetery preservation, often focusing on tombstone cleaning. ‘Historic preservation is one of our pillars,’ Sherry Taylor noted, admiring the cemetery’s beauty enhanced by trees.

Cemetery’s Historical Roots

Bachman mentioned the cemetery’s origins dating back to 1838. John Goodloe shared insights into the age of the maple tree Mike Taylor was cutting; it likely existed when the first graves were established.

Goodloe expressed plans to address the lack of markers for several graves, considering technological approaches like using a 3-D printer in future projects.

Addressing Storm Aftermath

Cheryl Bachman, alongside volunteers, prioritized clearing tree debris. Despite progress, Bachman acknowledged the considerable amount of work left. ‘We’ve been out here a couple of hours, and we made pretty good progress on this,’ Goodloe said.

During the storm, Bachman heard multiple trees falling sequentially. ‘That’s what it looked like, dominoes falling all in a row.’ Fortunately, no injuries occurred despite three trees hitting the building.

Challenges Ahead

Cleaning up debris has been ongoing for a month, and Sherry Taylor estimated weeks’ worth of work remaining. The storm aftermath has led to a surge in insects inhabiting the leaf piles. ‘We’ve seen more weird bugs than I’ve ever seen,’ Bachman noted.

Doug Ross contributed to this report as a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.