Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents Thursday heard a gate that was damaged at the cemetery when an Indianapolis man intentionally drove through it will be replaced. Hal Heagy, cemetery sexton, said the $5,800 gate from Custom Fencing has been purchased and is in. The installation cost is $600. The gate will be installed today or next week. Joseph Martin, 26, drove through the gate Jan. 29. He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of cemetery mischief. According to police, Martin drove the vehicle through the gate to get to his mother’s grave where she is buried and the gate was locked. Also during the meeting, the board heard the cemetery will get quotes for a preacher’s stand and to repair the roof of the pavilion seating area that is used for Memorial Day events at the cemetery. Heagy said the cemetery is in need of purchasing a skidloader this year that will be used to assist with landscaping around grave plots. The cemetery will get quotes and open them during a future cemetery board meeting. The Board of Works also will approve the quote. The cemetery will continue its wood giveaway for another month, and those interested in the giveaway can get a voucher from Combined Community Services. There were 20 burials at the cemetery in February, 16 lots sold and the board signed 12 deeds.
