WYREKA CEMETERY
PUTNAM COUNTY,  MO.
** Partial Listing Only **

Compiled by Mrs. Stella Wells 1935. Data furnished by Luke Owens and Miss Mary Frances Smith

Wyreka Cemetery is probably the oldest public burial ground in Putnam County.  A small slab of white marble clearly marks the spot that shows in Feb. 1851, a babe who died without a name was buried there for David and Elizabeth Howry, and another tiny slab tells that on May 1, 1851, Hercules Ellis, one year old son of Dr. Lewis Ellis was the second to die in the pioneer community.  Soon after that date Ellen, the twelve-year-old daughter of Eli and Susan Howard became the third. The three mounds, eloquent of the toll paid by their parents for the privilege of conquering a wilderness, grouped within a small area, were in a corner of a fenced pasture owned by Lewis Ellis, pioneer doctor and circuit-riding preacher of the Wyreka Community. By the time the third mound had been made, the people of the community led by Mr. Ellis had organized a church and a log building had been erected which was to serve as a church and a schoolhouse, near the graves on a hill top.  Then the good men in that area “entered” the land and invited his neighbors to lay their dead in the corner of his pasture gave to the public “God’s Acre,” which today is the hill-top of beautiful Wyreka Cemetery.

THE FIRST FENCE to enclose the cemetery was a “stake and rider” rail fence.  There was a gate near where the main entrance is today.  When it became necessary for a wagon to be taken within the enclosure, the fence was opened.  The cemetery grew and when more land was needed, the Ellises gave it on the north and west, extending the cemetery’s area to its present size of 3-1/2 acres.

In 1874, a frame church was built across the road, south, near where the tool house stands.  The land was given by Adam Ellis, a son of the old preacher-doctor.  The old log church was removed.  The grave of Rev. George Wells marks the site of the early pulpit.  The night of Aug. 25, 1902, fire started by lightening destroyed the frame church, and soon the church board, made up of John Howard, John Crawford and John Daly, deeded the land that had been solely church property to the cemetery.

In 1920, Timothy Blanchard requested that his family burial plot, which was separated from Wyreka Cemetery by only a fence, be taken into the public area.  His pleas were granted, Mr. Blanchard paying for the increased length of fencing.  Since that time the boundaries of the Wyreka Cemetery have not been changed.

During its more than 84 years of service, (now in 1972, 121 yrs.) the cemetery has been encircled by many fences.  Since the earliest rail fence, a board fence and wire fences suited to the times and the desires of the community have given service.  T hog fence surrounded it for a time, reminding us that hogs were not restrained within enclosures, but were permitted to roam at will, until that was ended by a vote of the people of the county (1885). The present iron fence and arch came into being chiefly through the efforts of Miss Mary Frances Smith, who now lives at the age of 85 years and takes becoming pride in the fruits of her labors and efforts.  In 1913, the determined lady decided to raise money that would buy a permanent and beautiful fence.  Not until 1920 was the fence in place. It had been a long task, but the determined never gave up.

On Labor Day 1920, the Wyreka Cemetery Association was begun, with purpose to keep clean and beautify this city of the dead.

ADAMS, Children of  T & M
    Alexander, son d. 11 Mar. 1869, age 1 y 4 mo.
    Elva D. , dau. d. 28 Mar. 1874, age 4 mo. 13 da.

ADAMS, Dau. Of Leroy
    d. 21 Feb. 1887 age 2 mo.

ARMFIELD, Paris
    d. 17 Aug. 1878, age 58 yrs. 10 mo. 12 da.
    Children of P & S
    Infant son d. 31 July 1877
    Albert d. 21 Sept. 1890, age 17 yrs. 4 mo. 21 da.

AYERS, Evaline, wife of Samuel
    b. 28 Mar. 1811 d. 27 Oct. 1858

AYERS, Dasho
    Dau. of W. & M. W.  d. 23 Jan. 1867 age 12 yrs. 8 mo

BATES, Millard 1876 - 1889
               Ord 1884 - 1892

BENNETT,  George W.
    Civil War Marker Sgt Co. C. 28th Ia Inf.
    (Fed Cens. Born 1825)

BISHOP, Elva Callison  1906 - 1943

BLANCHARD, Abe (Abraham) 1869 - 1953
    Record show wife Lucinda is buried - no stone
    N.P. Lucinda born Dec. 1855 - Oct. 1932

BLANCHARD, Cecil, son of Samuel & Minnie
    b. 26 Jul 1908 -  d. 15 Mar. 1960

BLANCHARD, Willie, son of S & M
    b. 4 Jun 1918 - d 10 Mar. 1927

BLANCHARD, Inf. Dau. of S & M
    b. 22 Mar 1903 - d. 5 Apr. 1905

BLANCHARD, Timothy   FATHER
    b. 20 Oct. 1850 - d. 22 Jan. 1940
Mary A. (Nee Turner)  MOTHER
    b. 26 Feb. 1846 - d. 24 Feb. 1899

BLANCHARD, Jimmie b. 2 May, 1870 - d. 26 Apr 1950

BLANCHARD, Samuel, son of Timothy and Mary
    b. 6 June, 1873 - d. 4 Apr. 1947
Minnie (nee Varner) 1879 - 1962

BLANCHARD, Lester S. 1914 - 1957

BLANCHARD,  Timothy, b. N.Y. d. 6 May 1863
    Age 57 yr 1 mo 24 da
Mary A. b. N.T (nee Holmes)
    d. 28 Nov. 1893 age 83 yr 5 mo. 2 da.

BLANCHARD, Richard  FATHER
    1911 - 1962

BLANCHARD, Junior Ray, d. 29 Dec. 1940,  age 5 mo. 7 da.
    (funeral home marker in cement)

BLANCHARD, Arthu Eugene, d. 25 Aug. 1958, age 3 mo 7 da
    (funeral home marker in cement)

BLANCHARD, William T. 1892 - 1971
    (funeral home marker)

BLANCHARD, Harvey W.  1915 - 1966

BLANCHARD, Albert 1905 - 1970

BLANCHARD, Charles 5 Feb. 1877 - 8 Aug. 1938
    Mary L. 1881 - 1964

BLANCHARD, Robert  1872 - 1950
    Minnie B.  1881 - 1941

BLANCHARD, Timmie, b. 9 July 1904 - d. 28 Feb. 1956
    Louise, b. 8 Oct. 1907 d. 8 Apr. 1953
    Ralph Duaine  1938 - 1953

BLANCHARD, Esther R., dau of R & M, 1920 - 1938

BLANCHARD, Richard  1877 - 1966 (funeral marker BIG DICK)

BLANCHARD, Frank & Dollie (cement stone no dates)

BLANCHARD, Delmar 1909 - 1978
    Ada b. 1914 -

BLANCHARD, Charles, our son, b. 9 Dec. 1943 - 3 Oct. 1964

BLANCHARD, Liash , 19 May 1897

BLANCHARD, Holmes, 9 May 1888

BLANCHARD, Jake, 27 Apr. 1897

BLANCHARD, Malissa, d. 4 Aug. 1884, age 37 yr.

BLANCHARD, Grandma, d. 22 Nov. 1893

BOWEN, Sarah, d. 27 Apr. 1895 age 75 yrs. 7 mo 11 da.

BOWEN, Foster R. , son of F. K. & M. P.
    d. 30 Aug. 1898 age 1 yr 3 mo 6 da

BOWEN, Foster K.  b. 9 Jan 1859 - 6 Mar. 1897

BOWEN, William, 5 May 1891

BREWER, Laura, wife of Thomas, d. 13 Apr 1896
    age 19 yrs 1 da

BREWER, William, d. 1 June 1900, age 64 yrs 9 mo 7 da

BREWER, Joel,  husband of Lucinda, d. 6 Dec. 1880
    age 66 yrs. 11 mo 21 da

BRIDGES, Lucinda, wife of Joel, d. 8 Mar. 1905
    age 86 yr. 8 mo. 6 da

BRIDGES, Allen D., son of J & L , d. 19 Jan 1862
    age 18 yr. 10 mo 9 da

BRIDGES, James H, son of J. & L. d. 25 Jan 1874
    Age 16 yr 2 mo 16 da

BRIDGES, Isaac, b. abt. 1861 d. Dec. 1910
    Mrs. Isaac BRIDGES

BROWN, Alexander (Rexie), 1928 - 1934

BROWN, Kenneth, son of A E & F E, 28 Feb - d. 6 Mar 1907

Stone loose---by main gate
BRUNDAGE, John  CIVIL WAR Co I 8th MO CAV

BRUNDAGE, John, b. 18 Feb. 1818 - d. 3 Sept. 1888
    The pain of death are past
    Labor and sorrow cease
    And life’s long warfare closed at last
    His soul is found in peace

    Susanne, wife of John, b. 29 May 1829 d. 3 Sept. 1915

BRUNDAGE, Rebecca J., dau of J & M, d. 23 Sept. 1865
    age 9 mo 1 da

BRUNDAGE, Annie C., wife of E. G. W. d. 31 Aug. 1873
    Age 25 yr 3 mo 17 da

BUCKWORTH, John, son of P. B. , d 6 Nov. 1874

BUCKWORTH, P.B., d. 16 Dec. 1886 age 69 yr 8 mo 12 da

BUCKWORTH, Catherine, wife of P.B. , d. 23 Mar 1881
    age 62 yrs 2 mo 28 da

BUCKWORTH, Curtis, son of P.B. & C  1841- 1878

BUCKWORTH, Ellwood C. d. 25 Aug. 1903 age 55 yr 4 mo 19 da
    Malissa, b. 23 Jan 1853 - d. 19 Nov. 1929

BUCKWORTH, Clara A., dau. of G W & L B, 6 Oct 1871
    age 1 yr 4 mo 3 da

DOMAN, James S. 1867 - 1959
    Jennie 1864 - 1946

DOMAN,  Walter Ferd
    1891 - 7 May 1963

DOMAN, Unnamed son of  J.A. & Jennie
    17 Feb 1896

DRAPER, Lincoln A. J., son of J.C. & M. A.
    d. 1 Apr. 1888 a. 22 y 11 m ?d

DRAPER, Sarah (wife of Azariah)
    d. 31 Jan 1888 a 78 y 1 m 30 d

DRAPER, Azariah, husband of Sarah Cartwright Draper
    d. 27 Nov 1891 a 84 y 11 m 23 d

DRAPER, Henry
    d. 28 Dec 1880 a 20 y 11 d

DRAPER, Janey May, wife of J. J.
    d. 28 Dec 1889 a 20 y 11 d

DRAPER, Calvin
    1850-1930

DRAPER, Lucinda S, wife of Calvin
    1852-1912

DRAPER, Mrs. Joseph
    d. Apr 1890

DRAPER, Son of A. E.
    d. Sept  1912

DRAPER, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas
    (Funeral for above. He has been dead for some years
    and she died Dec. & Jan.) 3 Feb. 1892

DRAPER, Harlen W.
    1904-1904

DRAPER, Axle A.
    1908-1912
    (Son of Alfred & Abba)

DRAPER, William Sherman, son of T.P. & M.A.
    d. 13 May 1872 a 2 y 8 m 2 d

DRAPER, Sarah E , dau of T. P. & M. A.
    d. 22 Apr 1867 a 3 mo 9 d

DRAPER, Martha M. dau of L. H Staley
    d. 17 June 1867

DUNCAN, Mary L.
    24 Oct 1917 - 26 Nov 1936

DUNCAN, Paul
    10 Nov 1911 -

DUNKIN, Ida Skipper, wife of H. J.
    25 June 1885 - 1 Feb 1941

DUNKIN, Ray W.
    1906 - 1974

DUNKIN, Neita A.
    1903 -

DUNKIN, Anna Julia, dau of Ed C & Mary O
    D 22 Oct 1898 a 4y 6m 6?d

DUNKIN, Fred
    30 July 1869 - 30 May 1930

DUNKIN, Lucy M., wife of Fred
    23 Nov 1872 - 9 Oct. 1958

DUNKIN, Harvey (Theodore)
    24 Feb 1902 - 4 Dec 1902
    (Funeral Home Marker)

DUNKIN, Fred (Arlie)
    13 Apr 1899 - 3 Mar 1909
    (Funeral Home Marker)

DUNKIN, Roy Ervin
    30 Nov 1908 - 1 May 1946
        a 36y 5m 1 d
    Foot Stone: V.A. Marker
    T/sgt Co C 112 Inf
    W.W.II  P.H. 282 Inf Div

DUNKIN, dau of Fred & L. M.
    4 Dec 1902

DUREE, A. C. (Albert Caleb), son of John D. & M.A.
    Apr 1868 - Feb 1908

DUREE, Ervin M., son of J.D. & L. J.
    d. 24 Oct 1895 age 11y 9mo 8d

DUREE, Martha A., wife of John D.
    d. 8 Sept 1878 a 32y 4m 20 d

DUREE, Lottie, dau of J. D. & M.A.
    d. 25 Aug 1888 a 16y 6m 7 d

DUREE, Inf. Son of J. D. & M. A.
    15 Aug 1878

FARMER, Nellie Viola, dau of J. E. & S.F.
    d. 2 Aug 1902 a 17y 3m 10d

FARMER, David  G. A. R Emblem
    25 Oct. 1828  - 9 Oct 1912

FARMER, Priscilla, wife of David
    18 Dec 1835 - 17 Apr 1877

FARMER, Teresa, wife of David
    29 Apr 1852 - 5 Dec 1880

FARMER, Inf son of D & P
    14 Jan 1877

FARMER, Rachel Jane, dau of D & T. J.
    d. 17 Dec 1880 a 27d
    (Above taken from old stones)

New Stone 1981     Terrissa Jane
Priscilla                    1852-1880
1835 - 1877             Rachel Jane
Inf Son 1877             1880

FARMER, Thomas
    6 Oct. 1879 - 9 Aug 1920

FARMER, Florence, dau of T & Ina
    21 Jan 1915 - 4 Sept. 1923
New Funeral Marker
    1916 - 1923

FIELDS, Inf. Dau of G. W. & M.E.
    31 Oct 1905

FIELDS, James A.
    1896 - 1944

FIELDS, Ruby, wife of J. A.
    1897 - 1971

FIELDS, M. Nancy, wife of Allen
    D 25 May 1868 a 31y 10m 28d

FIELDS, Lucy A., dau of Allen
    1862 - 1938
    (Records indicate Allen is buried
    at the Busby Cemetery)

FIELDS, Alfred
    1850 - 1939

FIELDS, Ellen (Stark), wife of Alfred
    1864 - 1953

FIELDS, Marshall, son of A. & E.
    1905 - 1976

FORD, Jennie
    d. 2 Nov 1882 26y 6m 9d

FORDYCE, Roy (Cement Stone)
    20 July 1882 - 16 Dec. 1952

FORDYCE, America, wife of Roy
    1876 - 1938

FORDYCE, Uel
    (no dates)

FORDYCE, Alice, wife of Uel
    (Tin Markers no dates)

FULCHER, Levi F. - G.A.R. 7th MO. Cav
    d. 5 Jan 1892 66y 3m 21d

FULCHER, Mary H. wife of L.F.
    d. 2 Jan 1892 71y 1m 29d

GADBERRY, Mary Opal
    29 July 1912 - 21 Oc. 1941

GADBERRY, Jessie Howard
    8 Dec. 1905 - 9 Apr 1978
    Foot Marker: VA
    W.W.II Tec 4 U.S. Army
    1905-1978

GINN, Sarah J., wife of Harvey
    d. 3 Mar 1871 age 29y 1m 5d

GINN, Ivy Mae, dau of G. L. & M. F.
    d. 8 Oct 1888

GINN, Ira Elle, son of G. L. & M.F.
    d. 25 Feb 1884 age 4d

GREENE, Ellen A.
    1836 - 1910

GREENE, John H., son of Ellen A.
    d. 27 Sept. 1871 age 2 y 10m

GRIFFITH, Nancy A. , wife of J.S.
    d. 23 Mar 1895 age 58y 8m 2d
    “She was the sunlight of our Home”

HARDESTY, Frank
    C.W. Marker Co.A 3rd Iowa Cav.

HARDING, Lena Gladys, dau of J.B. & E.
    d. 22 Dec. 1893 age 2y 4m 27d

HARDING, Charles W. son of J.B. &E.
    d. 17 Dec 1893 a 10y 8m 5d

HARDING, Otto B., son of J.B. & E
    d. 22 Sept 1889 age 10y 5m 17 d

HELMICK, Benjamin
    d. 22 Jan 1885 age 66y
    (NP. Death List age 45y)
    (1880 Census: Age 61y)

OWENS, Adam L.
    1 Feb 1894 - 8 Oct 1950
    Mo. Pvt 1st Eng  W.W.1

OWENS, EARL
    7 Aug 1890 - 8 May 1962

OWENS, Carrie, wife of Earl
    29 Apr 1898 - 24 June 1964

POLLEY, Kenneth, Inf son of E.F. & M.R.
    d. 10 Dec 1906
    (Stone re-checked for Spelling of surname buried with Pauley’s)

PAULEY,  Elmer
    25 Feb. 1883 - 9 Apr 1922
    “We will meet again”

PAULEY, Emma R., wife of Elmer
    28 Feb. 1884 - 1963

PAULEY, Inf son of E. & E. R.
    10 Dec. 1906

PAULEY, Alfred
    d. 16 Feb. 1902 a 81y 3m 5d

PAULEY, Lavina, wife of Alfred
    d. 1 Oct 1889 age 66y 11m 4d

PAULEY, Johnny M
    1906

PAULEY, Rosie G.
    1903 - 1971

PAULEY, John M.  FATHER
    d. 24 Dec 1903 age 39y 18d

PAULEY, Sarah C.  MOTHER
    d. 2 Apr 1947 age 81y 3m 6d

PAULEY, Aaron S.
    4 Nov 1847 - 9 Feb 1882

PAULEY, Irena Mae
    1 May 1852 - 21 July 1933

PAULEY, Zena Blossom, dau of A. S. & J. L.
    3 Sept 1881 - 7 Nov 1881

PAULEY, Estress  FATHER
    1855 - 1929

PAULEY, Martha E.  MOTHER
    1859 - 1946

PAULEY, M. Albert, son of Estress & Martha
    19 Dec 1886 age 6yrs  8m 18d

PAULEY, children of J.S. & Cora
    William D. 20 Sept 1906 - 17 Mar 1910
    Opal  21 July 1908 - 21 Mar 1910

PAULEY, Cora, dau of William & Nancy Callison
    18 Jan. 1890 - 15 Mar 1910

PHILLIPS, S. D.
    d. 23 Jan 1882 age 51y 9 m 4d
    (NP. Dean P. Phillips died 23 Jan 1882)

PHILLIPS, Mary, wife of S. D.
    d. May 1869 age ___yr 1m 24d
    (1860 Fed Census age 33y)

PHILLIPS, Samuel
    23 Aug 1851 - 13 Nov 1931

PHILLIPS, Sarah
    6 Apr 1851 - 6 Apr 1936

PHILLIPS, Lola Dell
    28 Sept 1874 - 28 Nov 1876

PHILLIPS, Edwin A
    6 Apr 1870 - 27 Apr 1870

POOL, George
    d. Apr 1911 age 15y

PORE, Chancey, son of W. P. & S.E.
    d. 13 Oct. 1878 - age 1y 9m 18d

PORTER, William L.
    1891 - 1918

POWERS, Elisha G.
    (Powersville named for him)
    b. 10 Mar 1811 Vermont
    d. 12 Oct 1884

    A soldier for our country
    I would not live always
    I care not to stay

NP. PURCELL, Sarah Ogden
    24 Sept. 1832 - 3 Apr 1896

PURSLEY, Lydia E. F., wife of John S.
    d. 10 Nov 1894 age 40y 6m 25d
       “Husband and Children, I must leave you
       Leave yes, leave, you all alone
       But my blessed savior calles me
       Calls me to a heavenly home.

SPENCER, child of James
    July 1897

STALEY, Martha M., dau of A. & M
    d. 7 Jan 1867 age 1m 11d

STARGELL, Sarah J. , wife of J.D.
    d. 18 Apr 1907 age 59y 1d

STARGELL, Nellie
    27 Dec. 1881

STARGELL, Floretty, dau of J.D. & S. L.
    d. 20 Nov 1874 age 3y 2m 1d

STARGELL, Pearly H., dau of J.D. & S.L.
    d. 25 Apr 1891 age 2y 2m 1d

STARGELL, Chorale, dau of J.D. & S.L.
    d. 9 Sept 1880 age 4y 8m 16d

STARGELL, John D.
    d. 10 Dec. 1907

STARK, Mary J.E. , dau of M & C
    d. 20 Nov 1863 age 10m

STARK, Mahlon
    V.A. Marker
    (Fed cn born 1842)

STARR, Mary I.F., daug of M.C.
    20 Apr 1863 age 10m

STARR, Jesse
    d. 14 May 1915

STARR, Seaton
    d. 16 Sept 1915

STARR, son of J.T.
    13 June 1874

STARR, Adam C. , son of W.B. & M
    20 Dec. 1858 age 12d

STARR, William B., husband of Martha
    d. 25 Dec. 1890 age 56y 22d

STARR, Martha, wife of W.B.
    d. 17 Sept 1909 a 69y 10m 9d

STARR, G. A. (no dates old foot marker)

STARR, William H., son of J & J.S.
    d. 13 Nov 1871 age 24d

STARR, Hannah
    1842 - 1922

STARR,  T. T.
    1874 - 1933

STARR, Rebecca, wife of T.T.
    1875 - 1965

STARR, W. B., son of T.T. & Rebecca
    1910-1917

STEEN, James L., son of F. & A.
    d. 14 Jan 1891 age 31y 7m 15d

STEVENS, Icel
    1908 - 1960

STEVENS, Archie
    1886 - 19__

STEVENS, Vernie A.
    1892 - 1926

STEPHENS, John L., son of A.C. & Vernie A.
    28 Dec. 1908 - 3 Feb. 1909

STEPHENS/Stevens, Vernia A.
    28 Dec. 1902 - 3 Feb. 1903

STONEKING, Amanda, dau of H & A
    d. 28 Sept 1888 age 1m 29d

STONEKING, Henry J.
    d. 21 Mar 1898 age 39y 11m 20d

STOTTLEMIRE, Samuel
    d. 4 Oct 1889 age 56y 6m 27d

STOTTLEMIRE, Nancy A.
    d. 24 Dec 1913 age 77y 4m 9d

STOTTLEMIRE, Nancy E., dau of C.C. & C.
    d. 30 Mar 1890 age 1 y 8m 10d

STOTTLEMIRE, Christopher C.
    d. 16 Apr 1891 age 33y 1m 10d

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