Dayton Memorial Park sustained a lot of broken trees and debris throughout the grounds.
At this time, the owners did not know if the headstones are broken. There were 175 headstones that have been blown over and will be moved upright on Monday, when the monument supplier comes to the site.
A total of three graves collapsed due to the age of the grave, decomposition and rotting had settled into these locations.
The maintenance building sustained some damage. The cemetery has had a tree company out to remove trees.
“Any home to the west of the cemetery, pieces of their roofs, siding, porches are in our grounds with nails sticking out,” said Mark Davis, director of the cemetery.
The cemetery has remained closed since Tuesday morning for safety issues. Parts of the cemetery opened Friday.
A post of Facebook read: “As you can imagine, many people would like to visit their loved one’s grave sites, but due to the amount of downed trees and debris they cannot allow anyone on the grounds safely.”
The cemetery took a direct hit on the southwest corner of the property during the tornado that hit maximum wind speeds of 135 mph.
Volunteers will be provided with snacks and water as they help with the clean up. The staff at the cemetery ask for volunteers to bring wheel barrels, wagons, yard tarps, anything to collect and transport the debris and gloves.
The main thing volunteers will do is pick up debris so the cemetery is able to mow most of the grounds.
The clean-up event is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The cemetery is located at 8135 N. Dixie Drive. The staff asks those willing to help to email info@daytonmemorialpark.com to register.
The Vandalia-Butler Chamber of Commerce will be in attendance at noon and will provide hot dogs, chips and drinks for the volunteers.
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