Wayne Southern and a few friends have been trying for years to get several damaged and deteriorating headstones at Spring Grove Cemetery repaired. Last year they finally got the help they needed to make some real progress.
Headstones at the cemetery, which is actually two cemeteries, have been deteriorating for years. St. Andrew Catholic Parish also owns a cemetery adjacent to Spring Grove. Southern said many gravestones are in disrepair simply because of their age and natural weathering while others have fallen victim to vandals over the years.
Southern, who moved to Delavan twenty years ago, worked as a caretaker at Spring Grove from 2003 until last year when he retired. Southern said he has tried for years to secure funding to repair gravestones in the cemetery to no avail.
Last year, that changed as Mayor Ryan Schroeder got involved. Schroeder is also on the board of the Historical Society. The Historical Society now serves as the non-profit organization that can help raise money for a renewed effort to raise as many headstones as possible.
Repairing gravestones involves digging out the base of a damaged or sinking headstone, leveling it out with gravel, and using adhesive to secure the broken headstone to the base. Many of the headstones cannot be read after years of weather and aging. Southern and his crew are using a cleaner called D/2 to restore gravestones that were impossible to read.
All that is needed to help is a strong back and the willingness to sign a disclaimer in case of injury. Southern said anyone is welcome to help and no prior arrangements need to be made. Just show up on a Saturday morning ready to work.
