Under the guidance of Ron Schell, known as the “Wood County Cemetery Man,” members of the Elizabeth Denton English Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) spent several hours cleaning headstones at Mineola Memorial Cemetery.

Participants followed headstone-cleaning techniques recommended by Schell to help preserve these reminders of the community’s history.

According to recent records, Mineola Memorial Cemetery contains 3,622 headstones, many dating to the late 19th century. These markers honor generations of individuals whose lives and legacies are part of the area’s heritage.

The DAR Day of Service is observed annually Oct. 11, with chapters across the country participating in service activities throughout the month.

This year’s cemetery preservation project was planned by Linda Haddock, the chapter’s historical preservation chair, who coordinated the activity with Schell. Haddock is an experienced cemetery preservation volunteer who organized the project to help care for and protect the cemetery’s historic headstones.

The effort reflects DAR’s ongoing commitment to preserving the nation’s history and honoring those who came before. The chapter’s preservation efforts will continue Friday, Oct. 30, with additional headstone cleaning at Hopewell Cemetery in Winnsboro. The project is being coordinated by Mary Sockwell, a chapter member and docent at the cemetery.

Through projects such as these, members of the Elizabeth Denton English Chapter demonstrate their commitment to community service, historical preservation and the care of the final resting places of past generations.