Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery
Dedication Page
TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS
ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY
GORDONVILLE, MISSOURI
TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS
ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY
GORDONVILLE, MISSOURI Read and compiled by John F. Rasche
1821 Burning Tree Drive
Decatur, Illinois 62521
Inscriptions originally read
October 10, 1981
Updated to
August 15, 2002
DEDICATION - The following dedication was used in the Centennial Anniversary booklet celebrating the founding of Zion Methodist Church, Gordonville, Missouri. This was celebrated on Sunday, August 15, 1948. The words also appear appropriate for this booklet.
- As mutual interests bind together those of like vocation in life so the great cause of Christ binds together those of His family whether they be of the family in heaven or of that part still courageously bearing the cross of Christ, formerly borne by those who now enjoy that heavenly relationship.
- In loving memory we humbly dedicate this booklet to the memory of those who labored long and hard that we might enter into this inheritance of today. They labored together with God and finished their course in the faith. Their mantle now rests upon our shoulders. May we bear it with equal distinction as they did. "For we are laborers together with God."
FOREWORD - This booklet contains information from tombstone inscriptions in the Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery near Gordonville, Missouri. The tombstones were originally read in the period ending October 10, 1981. This booklet updates the inscriptions through August 15, 2002. Some stones have been replaced and when the inscriptions differed from the original, both have been included. Some of the stones that were read in 1981 are no longer legible, but the original interpretation of the inscriptions has been retained. Some inscriptions which were difficult to read accurately have been corrected to reflect new information from various sources when rechecking the inscription indicated a change was more likely correct. All personal information from the stones has been included, however scriptures and verses have not been copied.
- The cemetery book kept by the cemetery committee shows the name and location of each person buried in the cemetery. This was used in several cases as noted to obtain a name that was not legible. The location of each stone is shown using the cemetery's designation. Rows are designated from A to T, with row A being closest to the church. Following the letter is a number, which shows the location in the row. The numbers in rows A through R increase from 1 to about 47, from north to south (right to left as the cemetery is faced from the church). Rows S and T are longer than the earlier rows and are numbered from the right edge (north edge) of the original cemetery both directions (north and south). For example, T8N is row T and eight plots to the north of the original northern edge of the cemetery. T8S is also in row T, but is the eighth plot to the south of the northern edge of the cemetery. Page numbers have not been used since the information can readily be located using the location designation in the index.
- All names inscribed on the tombstones have been indexed. This includes parents' names, husband's name, maiden name (when inscribed), and a person now living whose spouse is deceased when both names are shown on the stone. An attempt was made to make the index as useful as possible by cross-indexing. A complete description of the method used precedes the index. Information not included in the index of relationships is that implied in double and triple tombstones. Brackets have indicated these stones so that readers can draw their own conclusions. In most cases these stones were used for husband and wife, and occasionally for parents and child. Exceptions are usually obvious in the case of brothers or sisters by the information listed in the "Other" column. Some recent stones list the names of children (usually only the first names) on the back of the stone. These names of children were not included in the index, but will be found in the "Other" column of the inscriptions.
Submitted by
John F. Rasche Poster-#-63- |
