3 days ago
Harrison County cemeteries in need of donations for maintenance
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. But with a lack of income, the future of some of Harrison County's biggest cemeteries is at stake.
Shaun Jedju, founder and president of the Historic Clarksburg WV Cemetery Preservation Alliance (HCWVCPA), is having trouble obtaining funding to mow grass and maintain its five cemetery locations.
The HCWVCPA has acquired all of its properties through donations, with its most recent being Elkview Masonic Cemetery, which has 12 acres of land and Greenlawn Masonic Cemetery, which has 18 acres.
In 2024, Jedju said that it cost about $5,000 every two weeks to maintain these two cemeteries alone. This was through a subcontracted company, as Jedju found this process to be the best for consistency and reliability since the nonprofit cannot afford to hire its own staff.
Jedju spoke with 12 News on how common this issue is throughout the region.
'This is not just a Clarksburg-Harrison County issue. This happens to be a statewide issue as far as distressed cemeteries go. Distressed meaning cemeteries that run out of PF, perpetual care funds, and are stuck trying their best to raise and maintain,' Jedju said.
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Aside from mowing costs, HCWVCPA has encountered damage to the roof of the mausoleum at Elkview Masonic Cemetery as the winds have torn off the rubber roof several times, though the most recent damage has left the roof unsalvageable.
Despite the volunteers for labor on the roof repair, material costs are estimated at about $20,000.
Jedju also said that notable historical figures are buried in these cemeteries, including those of Elkview Masonic Cemetery being Melville Davisson Post, author of Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries, Louis Authur Johnson, a politician who served as the second United States Secretary of Defense from 1949 to 1950 and Howard Mason Gore, a politician who served as the 8th secretary of agriculture under the Calvin Coolidge administration.
'This year we're struggling, and Elkview has only been mowed once, and Greenlawn has only been mowed once. I did put out a Facebook post […] imploring people to help volunteer since donations aren't coming in,' Jedju said to 12 News on his efforts of outreach.
The HCWVCPA has also applied for grants from over 100 different charitable organizations. However, Jedju said the nonprofit has been denied by 60% of fellow organizations and has only received funding from about 5%.
Jedju has also tried advocating the issue to legislators, but has received no aid.
You can donate to the HCWVCPA at its website or you can mail donations to 409 Haymond Highway, Clarksburg, WV 26301. You can also deliver funds in person at the cemetery office at 410 Limestone Run Road.
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