Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
Over 100 grave and memorial markers have been toppled or broken as a result of an apparent wave of vandalism affecting both Merrill Memorial and St. Francis Catholic Cemeteries this weekend.
While the investigation into the senseless act(s) is ongoing, Merrill Police Chief Corey Bennett stated at this point it is believed the act(s) were committed sometime during the overnight hours of Friday (July 27) into Saturday (July 28). As of Monday morning, 116 grave markers had been overturned. Many others had been broken or damaged but exact numbers had yet to be compiled.
According to St. Francis Catholic Cemetery staff member John Hanson, the scale of this weekend’s atrocity is the most severe to date. “Six or seven years ago we had an incident where a few were knocked over, but I don’t ever remember anything like this. This is terrible, I can’t imagine why anyone would do something like this.”
Cost estimates to completely restore the damage is expected to top out in hundreds of thousands of dollars between the two cemeteries, according to Hanson. One marker in particular, erected in 1903, was made of marble and will be very difficult to replace.
“Marble grave markers are very rare nowadays,” he added. “Most cemeteries, including ours, don’t allow them due to them being at the mercy of the elements, erosion and so on. This stone in particular will be at the very least; $50,000 to replace. It was hand carved. I’m not even sure how we could go about duplicating the work that went into this. Hopefully we can find family or relation of the deceased to see if there is some type of insurance out there. This is just senseless.”
Efforts to right fallen or uprooted markers is expected to last through the week, while restoring broken or damaged markers could take much longer.
Cemetery staff would like to encourage those interested in donating to the recovery effort to donate directly to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (1708 E 10th St, Merrill, WI 54452)
Phone: (715) 536-2803 or Merill Memorial Park Cemetery (201 N Memorial Dr, Merrill, WI 54452) Phone: (715) 536-2297.
Those with any information regarding the incident(s) this weekend are strongly encouraged to contact the Merrill Police Department (715) 536-8311; Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (715) 536-6272 or Lincoln County Crime Stoppers (715) 536-3726. Crime Stoppers callers may be remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.