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Oak Hill Cemetery, Peoria Co., IL

Dear Friends & Relatives,
In the 1850's, it was determined that a cemetery was needed to serve the needs of Oak Hill (formerly called Rosefield) and the surrounding area. C. Dawson provided a plot of land, 11/2 acres in size, to be used for this purpose from a corner of his farm and the cemetery was laid out on the gently rolling hills. A Cemetery Association was formed to operate and maintain the cemetery. For many years volunteers kept the grounds trimmed but as years went by, there were fewer people available for grass mowing and other maintenance. The cemetery became overgrown. In the 1950's the society endeavored to raise money for a trust fund to provide funds for maintenance. Bake sales and dances were held. A list of family members of persons buried in the cemetery was compiled and a subscription was set up where people donated money for maintenance on a yearly basis. Most amounts were for a dollar or two per year. This list was maintained for a period of about fifteen years, ending in the mid 1960's. This trust fund provided money for grass mowing and any other needs.

Due to the interest rates for certificates of deposit being very low while the cost of mowing continued to rise, the trust fund no longer earns enough interest to pay for mowing for the year. We rely on interest from CD's, contributions and lot sales to provide for the upkeep of the cemetery. We do not want to dip into the principle funds run short. Some may ask why there is not enough money. Many of the families who purchased family plots only paid. $5.00. This was a day's pay in the 1930's but it will not go far today.

I am asking all who have loved ones or ancestors buried in the cemetery to please fill out one of the surveys located in the mailbox below the bulletin board and mail it back to me. The information will be kept for cemetery association use only. Anyone wishing to donate money for cemetery upkeep should send it to the treasurer, Thomas Hutchinson, 3915 N. Keenland, Peoria, IL 61614. Anyone wishing to purchase a plot in the cemetery may contact trustees Dale Coulter (309) 742-8493 or Joe Hutchinson (309) 694-7726. We must keep Oak Hill Cemetery in the condition that our pioneer ancestors and veterans deserve.

Thank YOU
Joseph M. Hutchinson, Trustee
117 Highway Terrance
East Peoria, IL 61611

OAK HILL CEMETERY SURVEY----

NAME_________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________

CITY_______________________________STATE______ZIP CODE__________________

MAY WE CONTACT YOU?____________________PHONE #_________________________

NAME(S) OF LOVED ONE(S)__________________________________________________

HOW MANY RELATIVES ARE BURIED HERE?_______________________________________

HOW OFTEN DO YOU VISIT_____________________________________________________

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR THE TRUST FUND___________

HOW WELL ARE WE DOING ON THE UPKEEP? EXCELLENT____GOOD____FAIR____POOR____

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE OAK HILL CEMETERY BETTER?___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

ANY OTHER COMMENTS____________________________________________________________

YOU MAY PRINT OFF THIS EVALUATION CARD, FILL IN THE BLANKS, & MAIL TO JOSEPH M. HUTCHINSON ABOVE. THANK YOU!!! ANY LITTLE BIT OF HELP, SUGGESTIONS IS ALWAYS GREATLY APPRECIATED NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR BIG. THANKS!!!