PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. — Volunteers in Ozaukee County are working to preserve local history by cleaning and restoring weathered gravestones at Old St. Mary's Cemetery in Port Washington.
Of the 300-plus graves in Old St. Mary's, Mike Keller and his wife, Elizabeth, chose to start with one that holds special meaning. The grave belongs to Elmer and Joan Adam, one of the most recent and final burials in this historic cemetery.
"He had a great sense of humor. He was very community oriented... He spent a lot of time volunteering with the local police department," Keller said.
Many of the graves, particularly those dating to the 19th century, lack family members or caretakers to maintain them.
"If we can do a little bit to bring some of that sense and feeling back, I think it's a great thing,