Crown Crest Cemetery is Back in Business
Nine local patriotic and veteran’s organizations worked together to renovate the Veteran’s Circle at the Historic Crown Crest Cemetery in Hyde. The once troubled location is now under the care of a non-profit corporation which has plans to sell new plots in the future. For a few years the cemetery suffered after its owner went to state prison for deceptive business practices. (Photo by Julie Rae Rickard)
By Julie Rae Rickard
CLEARFIELD – Crown Crest Cemetery in Hyde is finally a place of peace again.
Now known as the Historic Crown Crest Cemetery, it is being managed by a non-profit corporation with a board of community members and is planning for a special ceremony honoring veterans this Memorial Day at 11:00, hosted by John Lewis Shade American Legion Post 6.
Recently the Veteran’s Circle was renovated with wide support from the community.
According to a press release, eight Clearfield patriotic and veterans’ organizations, led by Michael Sicks Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1785, have joined and were committed to the project, including: VFW Post 1785, VFW Post 1785 Auxiliary, John Lewis Shade Post 6 of the American Legion and its auxiliary, Sons of the Legion and Legion Riders, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 984 and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 540.
In addition, Curwensville Joshua Sipes American Legion Post 505 made an earlier donation to the cemetery for renovation of the Veterans Monument. Local business, Lanager’s Landscape and Lawncare, was responsible for the earthwork.
The original 2,250 square foot memorial area, dedicated in 1939 consisted of a concrete sidewalk and octagonal slab, a stone and bronze memorial and flag poles for the American Flag and the six flags of the branches of the U.S. Military.
Through the years the memorial, like the rest of the cemetery became overgrown with “encroaching, untended shrubs planted decades ago. All the shrubs were removed and the beds edged and prepared for planting, according to the release.
“Fourteen new Boxwood and Juniper shrubs were planted along with beds of red Flanders Field poppies. River rock surrounds the shrubs.”
Two new concrete benches were installed and a new solar flag pole light illuminates Old Glory.
The downfall of Crown Crest Cemetery began as early as 2012 when owner Edmund Grenier was first charged with deceptive business practices for selling tombstones, markers and other items for the cemetery and never providing them, according to previous reports.
In 2013, he was charged with 18 felony counts of deceptive business practices, 10 felony counts of theft by deception, and multiple misdemeanor theft offenses in regard to incidents in 2006 at his Lakelawn Memorial Park in Reynoldsville, Jefferson County.
Over the years more charges were filed in both counties for his failure to deliver items such grave site markers, granite bases, bronze memorial plaques, bronze vases and bronze scrolls to be installed in the cemeteries, according to published reports.
Jefferson County Judge John Foradora ordered all the accounts in his name closed in July 2015. The cemeteries were then to be sold to pay their debts and an attorney was put in charge of the businesses.
Grenier was given a 25 to 50-year state prison sentence.
After the Reynoldsville cemetery was sold, the attorney was released from his obligation, leaving Crown Crest without management.
In May 2019, it became obvious to visitors that no one was mowing or caring for their loved ones’ final resting place.
Residents banned together to mow the grass in time for Memorial Day in 2019 and by August of that year, President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman officially declared it abandoned.
Volunteers helped continued to help maintain it. Eventually it was purchased by Luke Walker who “worked diligently to assist in creating the new corporation with the board members,” according to information from the group.
He and administrative assistant, Kristin Samuels, “have taken great pride to improve the appearance of Historic Crown Crest Cemetery.”
The board consists of President Gigi Gearhart, Allan Doran-Vice President, Brenda Miller-Secretary, Barbara Shaffner-Treasurer, and member, Misty Doran.
Their mission statement is: “The Historic Crown Crest Cemetery Corporation will strive to create a dignified and respectful environment for those who visit our cemetery to honor the memory of a friend or loved one.”
Minutes from their community meeting in February list plans for the sale of plots to begin again once a total of $25,000 has been established in their perpetual care fund which is required for new cemeteries.
To assist with future fundraising and volunteer events, a “Cemetery Support Group” will be established.
There is also talk of a Capital Fundraising Campaign to raise funds to pave the roads in the cemetery, which will be done in stages.
The cemetery is a registered participant in “Wreaths Across America 2024” which will honor the 1,050 veterans buried there.
For more information about the future of the Historic Crown Crest Cemetery, go to their Facebook page.