Information sought for book

RICHLAND ? Dixie Richardson of Ottumwa and formerly of Richland is continuing to collect information to include in a book she is writing as a fundraiser for the Richland Friends Cemetery.

Richardson said misunderstandings about the book have come to her attention, so to help people understand what the book is about, she has released its format.

The book, she explained, will consist of a history of the cemetery and maps; names of those interred there, with burial locations; and following that, a section of obits, memorial folders and photos.

?Nothing harmful about anyone interred there will be printed,? Richardson said.

Richardson is paying for all expenses in publishing the book and will not be financially profitting from the project. She is writing the book to help raise funds for the Richland Friends Cemetery and to provided a lasting history to honor the pioneers and citizens  of Richland buried there.

Richardson said she would very much appreciate individuals  contributing pictures, obits, memory folders and any historical  information for the book.

The deadline to submit information is March 1. Richardson plans to have the book ready for a fund-raising event planned for mid-March.

Her address is 556 S. Davis, Ottumwa 52501, and her email address is blkhawk@mchsi.com.

Richardsons? sister Jeannie Pedrick of Richland explained the funds are needed because the Richland Friends Cemetery, unlike other cemeteries, does not receive county or city funding. It is privately owned by the Woolson and Trinity Friends churches, but people of all faiths are buried there, and it is the main cemetery for the Richland community, Pedrick continued.

According to Pedrick, the cemetery?s minimal maintenance costs is about $3,000 annually.

?That?s the mowing, the snow removal, the old stones that need repaired because there?s no family left to do it,? she said. ?We?re trying to accumulate some funds for the cemetery upkeep because it will continue to be the main cemetery for Richland in years to come.?