The Albert Cemetery board of directors unveiled the cemetery’s new columbariums and dedicated the columbarium gardens to its longtime caretaker Jack Frankenfield in ceremonies on June 22.
Board president Keith Snyder, who welcomed board members, guests and visitors, pointed out the four double-sided columbariums for above ground cremation inurnments are the first in the Mountain Top area.
“This is a great alternative for Mountain Top,” Snyder stated. “It was a huge investment of both time and money.”
Snyder noted that the columbariums were constructed in an area of the cemetery that is really unsuited for traditional burials because of the shale just under the surface.
“It gives us room for a lot more people in less space,” he offered. He explained the columbariums can accommodate as many as 300 urns, depending on the size, in a space that would hold two to four traditional graves. “And it’s less expensive,” he added.
Snyder thanked current caretaker Tony Smigelski for his work on the project along with members of the board of directors for their time and dedication to the project.
Smigelski expressed the cemetery association’s appreciation to staff of St. Mary’s Monument Company for its guidance and George Burger and Sons for its advice on plants for the garden. He also noted there is room for adding additional columbariums.
After the dedication of the columbariums, Snyder and the board surprised the 84-year-old Frankenfield by inviting him to unveil a plaque which dedicates the garden in Frankenfield’s name.
“Jack has been involved with our cemetery for over 50 years,” Snyder said of Frankenfield, the cemetery’s longtime caretaker.
The plaque is inscribed: “Dedicated to Jack Frankenfield, for over 50 years of hard work and service to Albert Cemetery.”
The cemetery’s board of directors described the addition of the columbarium as the biggest improvement in over 30 years.
Albert Cemetery Association was incorporated as a non-profit, non-denominational cemetery in August 1925 to provide for the better preservation and care of burial grounds formerly known as Rippletown Cemetery, which was established around 1869.
In 1950 an additional three acres were acquired along the southeasterly side of the cemetery. In 1992 an additional 10 acres were acquired and three of those acres were cleared for future burials in 1993.
For more information on the columbarium contact Smigelski at 570 436-4032.
