Right outside of Clear Lake,  just off Hwy. 10, the non-denominational Clear Lake Cemetery recently received the primary thing it had been lacking, a sign to identify it. “We didn’t have it marked visibly before,” said cemetery association member Judy Warren. “This way people can locate it easily.”

 

The cemetery’s new sign had been in the works for over a year. Once the committee determined what was needed, a bid was obtained and they went to the Clear Lake Lions to ask for help to purchase it. They were given the entire amount needed.

 

“People don’t realize we’re just an independent cemetery,” said association member Linda Kozak. “There’s no affiliation with any town, organization or township.”

 

The new sign was installed Monday. Placed just to the right of the entrance to welcome visitors, it announces, “Clear Lake Cemetery, Est. 1881.” Made of aluminum and vinyl, it’s maintenance free.

 

The cemetery was begun in 1881 after a group of citizens got together, purchased five acres and formed the Clear Lake Cemetery Association. The first burial in the new cemetery was Civil War veteran Henry Jones, on Oct. 30, 1881.

 

Numerous Clear Lake founding families are buried at the Clear Lake Cemetery today, including the first white settler in Clear Lake, John Stevenson, and his family. Alanson Potter and F.E. Baldwin, who both helped lay out the City of Clear Lake, are interred there, along with Charles Schwab, who started the first bank in town.

 

Many of the original Haven Township settlers were also laid to rest in the Clear Lake Community Cemetery, including the Cater and Scherfenberg families. They, along with the Stickneys from Clear Lake, were on the early cemetery board of directors. 

 

There are many veterans buried at the cemetery from the Civil War on, and each Memorial Day the Clear Lake and Clearwater Legions hold services there to read off their names and honor them with a 21-gun salute. 

 

Along with the new sign, the Clear Lake Lions also donated money for row markers to be installed, which will help visitors to the cemetery locate gravesites more easily. That project is planned for spring.

 

The Clear Lake Cemetery Association consists of Linda Kozak, Steve and Judy Warren, Bud Stimmler, Diane Schreder, Sue Mealey, Lonny Seeley, James Kirchenbauer and Wendy Smith.

 

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Clear Lake Cemetery is invited to attend the next association board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 in the lower level of the Clear Lake Township Hall.