Oakwood Cemetery, 421 N. Maple Ave., Warsaw.

WARSAW — Thursday, Nov. 2, at the monthly Oakwood Cemetery Board meeting, Sexton Hal Heagy informed board members that cemetery staff may be doing leaf work in the spring due to the leaves not falling.

“The leaves are just now turning,” Heagy stated, “Normally they turn the first part of October.”

Heagy said this may affect how soon they are able to get Christmas lights up on the trees downtown.

“We do Christmas lights on the trees downtown on Center, Buffalo and Market streets. We’re going to try to get the lights done by Dec. 1, but it depends on when the leaves start falling,” Heagy said, “If the leaves stay up, we may start next week and get some Christmas lights done, but if the leaves start falling we’ll be busy at the cemetery.”

Heagy mentioned they have not yet been able to get a part-time employee to help out at the cemetery this fall, meaning that if the leaves do start falling the five employees he has will have their hands full with leaf cleanup.

Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents Vice-President Lewis Dobbins announced that next month will be his last meeting. Dobbins has served on the board for approximately 25 years.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” said Dobbins, “I really have, but I think age 91 is time to step aside.”

“Don’t tell my wife though,” joked Dobbins, “Because she’ll find more work for me at home.”

Other News:

• The new columbarium is due to be craned and set this month. Depending on the weather, the columbarium may not be sealed until next spring.
• Heagy requested that all members of the Board of Regents look over the cemetery rules and regulations before next month’s meeting to see if any changes need to be made.
• A headstone was knocked over last year, and it was recently discovered that the stone is chipped. The cemetery will be replacing the stone.
• The cemetery office will be closed Nov. 10 for Veterans Day.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7.