Submitted photo A new sign at Dewittville Cemetery is pictured.

Dewittville Cemetery has received some updates after a yearly fundraiser.

As a nonprofit, the Dewittville Cemetery Association’s board of trustees sends out a letter every year to area residents and local businesses to raise funds that go toward maintaining parts of the cemetery. The trustees are responsible for maintaining and upkeep, and the fundraiser is the only source of income the board receives. Typically, the donations come from local people and businesses but some corporate donors help as well.

This year, the Dewittville Fire Department and Fancher Chair Company were donors. The funds raised have been put toward improving items in the cemetery, including the sign.

One of the trustees, Gary Henry, said the cemetery’s sign was in a state of disrepair.

“The sign has been there and probably has not been updated since the 1960s,” Henry said. “It is in a state of total disrepair and has fallen down. We thought it was important to replace it so the locals who come and visit can know they are in the right place when they come to honor their loved ones, and we wanted it to be presentable when they do.”

Additionally, Henry said the trustees also put out flags on Veterans Day and Memorial Day along with keeping the grass mowed and doing what they can to present a warm and friendly atmosphere.

“As the trustees we are responsible for digging graves, pouring foundation for the grave stones, maintaining the grounds and keeping the lawn mowed along with maintaining any flags or ornaments that people bring in and leave at the cemetery,” Henry said. “There are not many independent cemeteries left in New York state, because the state has taken over a lot of them, so we are doing our best to keep it a nonprofit.”

Other plans to help improve Dewittville Cemetery are planned for the future, including renovations on what used to be known as the County Home or Poor House Cemetery.

“We hope to work with the county and get stones listed and do maintenance on that cemetery,” he said. “Recently they found remains there that were over 100 years old. It has not been taken care of since the county moved County Home from this area to Dunkrik. It is almost nonexistent and we are hoping to restore it.”

The County Home Cemetery was in existence from the late 1800s to 1960, Henry said. In 1961, the County Home was relocated to Dunkirk, and the Dewittville property was sold.

Henry added that other maintenance work on Dewittville Cemetery includes building a new fence to separate the cemetery from another property. Henry said that none of it would be able to happen without the community support.

“We deeply appreciate the support,” he said. “Drive by to see how well your support is being used to maintain this beautiful cemetery.”