Richardson writing book to benefit cemetery

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

?Obits, memory folders, tombstone photos, stories from families of people buried there ? we?d be glad to have those,? Richardson said.

Richardson asked for information to be submitted to her either by mail or email before Feb. 1 so that she has time to put the book together. Her address is 556 S. Davis, Ottumwa 52501, and her email address is blkhawk@mchsi.com.

Plans are for the book to be part of a fundraising event being organized for this spring.

?They want me there to visit with people and have the book that people can have for a donation,? said Richardson.

The donations will go to the Richland Friends Cemetery.

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. Its only funding is from donations, sales of burial plots and a ?small $2 a year for every veteran buried there,? she said.

The cemetery 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.?

Pedrick and Richardson said the book is in remembrance of their parents, Kevin and Donna Hinshaw, who are buried in the cemetery.

?My father inspired me to do this book,? said Richardson. ?He had wanted me to help him with a book for the cemetery, but he took sick. Now, I?ve taken on the project in his memory. ? It will be really nice to share these stories, and it should be a good size book when it?s done.?