By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce Director Deb Pinion likes to joke there are 17,000 people buried in Oakwood Cemetery and just 12,500 living in Bucyrus.

“It’s a good thing they can’t vote,” Pinion said about those buried in the historic Bucyrus cemetery.

They may not vote but they can still have a voice in our lives and that’s what the aim is Sunday at the Oakwood Cemetery Walk.

Pinion figures roughly 500 turned out last year for the inaugural event and she is expecting more this year. Even for those who went last year, there is reason to return.

“There will be nine new portrayals this year and two other points of interest that are new. It amazing how many stories there are about the people that are buried in that cemetery,” Pinion said. “There are some amazing stories there and people this year are going to see some wonderful portrayals. It’s going to be well worth their time.”

Pinion noted that although some of the names may be familiar ones, others are not so well known.

“These are historic people, some famous and some not so famous who had an impact on Bucyrus and Crawford County,” Pinion said. “It’s so people can get to know who they owe.”

Those being portrayed this year are Dr. Robert Knappenberger, Charles “Champ” Collene, Robert Sadler, Corinne Boryczka, Ralph Jolly, Roy Althouse and Brownie, Chief Phillip Trautman, J. Catherine Quaintance, and Frederick “Tuck” Flaherty. In addition two other points of interest at Oakwood will be part of Sunday’s tours. They are the Lutheran Cemetery burial ground and the tomb of B.F. Lauck and the Niagara Steam Engine.

All of those being portrayed this year died beginning in 1918 and as recently as 2002. Their contributions combined spanned three different centuries.

Although people are encouraged to walk the tour, there will be transportation for those who cannot. The tours will be groups of 25 to 30 people led by guides and tours are planned to leave every 20 minutes. Patrons of the event may come at any time they please. The first tour will go out at 1 p.m. and the final one at 4. The tours are approximately one hour in length.

“When they are finished, there are relevant, historic displays,” Pinion said. “The Air Explorers will be there with food and free water will  be available during the tours.”

For those who would like to contribute or be a part, Pinion is still in need of tour guides and golf carts.

The Cemetery Walk is free, but donations will be accepted and used for the Oakwood repaving project.