Cemetery
For burial site questions call Sexton, Doug Harrison, at 616-890-0536
Tyrone Township has two cemeteries:
Idlewild Cemetery
18 Mile Road between Tyrone Avenue & Barber Creek Avenue.
Chubbuck (Pinewood) Cemetery
Corner of 21 Mile Road and Peach Ridge Ave.
Graves are available for residents and people connected with Tyrone Township for $100 each.
Sextons' History
The "Harrison's" have been active workers in these two cemeteries for many years. The date Dea Harrison began his role as sexton of Chubbuck Cemetery is unknown, but Charles Harrison, his son, began helping his dad dig graves when he was so little his dad had to lift him up out of the grave when finished (must have been in the late 1940s). When Dea died in 1964, Charles Harrison became sexton of both cemeteries until his death in 2000. Douglas Harrison, son of Charles, has been sexton since that time along with the help of his son Ryan.
Charles and Elsie Harrison started mowing and care-taking in 1973. They took the job, at first, for their son David who wanted to earn some money for school expenses. "We started out helping him and took pride in seeing how nice the Cemetery looked, enjoyed working together, and have continued ever since." Since 2014 the township contracts with a local business for this function.
The Township maintains the cemetery records and Doug keeps a duplicate copy of the records at his home as he often helps people find loved ones' graves and those searching genealogies. Since the early 1960s a large record book of where everyone is buried has been kept. Before this time there were only records of the index of who owned lots. In order to get this book updated, Elaine Shirey (at that time was clerk), and Charlie and Elsie Harrison took this book and walked both cemeteries recording all the names and dates of the tombstones, which added much to our records. Unfortunately where there were no tombstones, there are no complete records of those graves. Thankfully, families have been able to give us information for these records over the years.
CEMETERY CLEAN UP IN PROGRESS:
In an effort to continue with the beauty and maintenance of our loved ones resting place, Tyrone Township has been sprucing up our cemeteries for the past couple of summers. This is an ongoing project and will take time to complete.
Take note to the cemetery ordinance & if items of decoration are in violation, please remove & update your loved ones headstone to comply with the ordinance.
Summary of our Cemetery Rules:
Tyrone Township has two cemeteries:
Idlewild Cemetery
18 Mile Road between Tyrone Avenue & Barber Creek Avenue.
Chubbuck (Pinewood) Cemetery
Corner of 21 Mile Road and Peach Ridge Ave.
Graves are available for residents and people connected with Tyrone Township for $100 each.
Sextons' History
The "Harrison's" have been active workers in these two cemeteries for many years. The date Dea Harrison began his role as sexton of Chubbuck Cemetery is unknown, but Charles Harrison, his son, began helping his dad dig graves when he was so little his dad had to lift him up out of the grave when finished (must have been in the late 1940s). When Dea died in 1964, Charles Harrison became sexton of both cemeteries until his death in 2000. Douglas Harrison, son of Charles, has been sexton since that time along with the help of his son Ryan.
Charles and Elsie Harrison started mowing and care-taking in 1973. They took the job, at first, for their son David who wanted to earn some money for school expenses. "We started out helping him and took pride in seeing how nice the Cemetery looked, enjoyed working together, and have continued ever since." Since 2014 the township contracts with a local business for this function.
The Township maintains the cemetery records and Doug keeps a duplicate copy of the records at his home as he often helps people find loved ones' graves and those searching genealogies. Since the early 1960s a large record book of where everyone is buried has been kept. Before this time there were only records of the index of who owned lots. In order to get this book updated, Elaine Shirey (at that time was clerk), and Charlie and Elsie Harrison took this book and walked both cemeteries recording all the names and dates of the tombstones, which added much to our records. Unfortunately where there were no tombstones, there are no complete records of those graves. Thankfully, families have been able to give us information for these records over the years.
CEMETERY CLEAN UP IN PROGRESS:
In an effort to continue with the beauty and maintenance of our loved ones resting place, Tyrone Township has been sprucing up our cemeteries for the past couple of summers. This is an ongoing project and will take time to complete.
Take note to the cemetery ordinance & if items of decoration are in violation, please remove & update your loved ones headstone to comply with the ordinance.
Summary of our Cemetery Rules:
- One monument can be located at head of gravesite
- Burial will not be made during winter months if there is measurable snow
- No fences of any kind shall be placed on or near gravesite
- No flowers, shrubs, trees or vegetation of any type shall be planted outside of an urn or hanging basket. Shepherd hook and urns are to be placed in- line with headstones.
- No decorations or loose stones shall be placed around marker
- No mounds
- No glass containers