Morgan’s Place Cemetery, located on State Route 589 in southeastern Shelby County, provides free burials and other services for families who have suffered the loss of a baby due to miscarriage or stillbirth.
The vision of Mollie and Nathan Verdier, the cemetery is available for all families regardless of religious affiliation and conducted its first funerals just after Thanksgiving. Aborted babies may also find a place of rest there.
There are no other known cemeteries in the Midwest that are dedicated to this single purpose, Mrs. Verdier said. The non-profit organization is dedicated to helping any family near or far, including those from nearby Logan County.
Jan. 30, Morgan’s Place Cemetery welcomed several new board members. Bonnie Berry of Wapakoneta brings her experience in marketing, banking, and small business ownership to the table. Gwen Stevenson is a retired nurse and nurse educator. She resides in Sidney. Also joining the board is Brian Sowers of Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in Piqua. Now living in Ludlow Falls, Father Steven Shoup rounds out the slate of new members.
Josh Buehler, Missy Bennett, Father Steve Mondiek, Aaron Edwards and Julia Frantz were thanked for their service as founding members of board.
At that same meeting, officers were elected. Appointed were Priscilla and Greg Wilt as co-presidents, Gwen Stevenson as vice president, Will Harrelson as secretary, and Larry Elsner as treasurer. Also assisting with financial records is Jeff Replogle from the Houston area.
Several upcoming fundraisers are on the horizon. Amelio’s Pizzeria at 115 South Ohio Ave., Sidney, will host a dine-to-donate from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 13. No flyer is required.
Cruizer’s Bar and Grill in Russia will be hosting a corn hole tournament to benefit Morgan’s Place, slated for May 13 with a rain date of May 20. The entry fee is $10 and it will be a blind draw. Interested participants may register from May 6 through May 13 at 11 a.m. Double elimination play starts at noon.
The 3 Heath Brothers will be featured at a dinner/concert Friday evening, May 19, at The Palazzo in Botkins. The trio performs a variety of Christian music. They have sung throughout the United States and are often joined by other family members during the night.
Tickets are $ 25 per person and are presale only. Businesses and organizations selling tickets are Right To Life in Sidney, Believe Art from the Heart between Sidney and Anna, Silver Cross in Fort Loramie, and at www.morgansplacecemetery.org. Tickets must be purchased by May 7.
Finally, Friday, June 23, the Dayton Dragons will host Morgan’s Place. At this game, a portion of all tickets sold, up to 300, will be donated to the cemetery. Tickets must be purchased online (https://fevo.me/morgansplacecemetery) on or before May 23.
For more information about Morgan’s Place Cemetery or any of the upcoming events, call Mollie and Nathan Verdier at (937) 726-9988 or Priscilla and Greg Wilt at (937) 497-8118. The website for Morgan’s Place is morgansplacecemetery.org.
