Following some unfortunate events in the spring of 2020 where remembrance items were removed and destroyed from the sites of local graves, local families gathered last summer at an open community meeting held at Wagner Lake to discuss the future of the ZCBJ Cemetery. Community members in attendance volunteered to serve on a newly formed board to manage the perpetual care and maintenance of the local cemetery. Research into the ZCBJ Cemetery was conducted and there no longer being a ZCBJ Lodge in Wagner, the closest lodge in Utica did not want to be responsible for a cemetery in Wagner. This gave the community board the opportunity to reorganize recently as the Wagner Cemetery Association and the former ZCBJ Cemetery winnow be known as the Wagner Cemetery. Work has been going on to transfer the care of the former ZCBJ Cemetery to the Wagner Cemetery Association. A volunteer board has been formed consisting of the following members and officers. Mike Medricky-President, Chad Peters-Vice President, Patty Frei-Secretary, Linda Youngbluth-Treasurer, Dave Robertson, Todd Johannsen and Melissa Zacharias. The Wagner Cemetery is the portion from the old original cemetery in the middle to the southern edge. St John the Baptist Catholic Church maintains their own cemetery as a separate entity on the northern end.

As the newly formed community board, we want to be transparent and let the community of Wagner know what some of our planning involves for the upcoming year. We are currently advertising for bids for the mowing and trimming for the summer 2021 mowing season that runs from approximately May 1st thru September. We are working on developing a new policy for what is and is not allowed for the decorating of gravesites, this new policy will be published at a later date after final approval of the board.

The volunteer board is also in the planning stages of a spring work day at the cemetery to get some maintenance done prior to the start of summer. Projects involve general cleanup of faded artificial flowers, filling holes, reseeding grass in an area that had drowned out, removal of some dead trees, weed spraying and filling potholes in gravel paths. We will try to advertise the work day and any individuals that would like to volunteer their time or talents will be much appreciated. Our common goal is to keep the cemetery as a nice, respectful place to honor our loved ones. Be on the lookout for our Facebook page-coming soon. We hope to be able to share photos and updates of positive information through that page.

Maintenance and regular summer care can be costly for a cemetery of this size. Donations are always welcome. And we have talked about a potential fundraiser to help ensure that we have the funds available for each season upkeep. As a board, we want the community to know what we are doing. We welcome positive input to help us direct the improvement of the cemetery. Any ideas are welcomed and can be shared with any member of the board. Remember that we are volunteers and acting as a unified board, any concerns you share will be brought before all board members. Our purpose in reorganizing as a volunteer community board, is to keep in good condition this sacred spot. With community support, we plan to year by year improve the resting place of our beloved family members; and in every way endeavor to make this a place that will hold a feeling of welcome to the generations passing and joining the loved ones beyond. We are excited to take on this endeavor out of love and respect for our family and friends that are remembered in our cemetery now and in the future. We thank you in advance for your support.