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Contributed photo/Shannon Larson of Pentwater, at left, Melissa Grondsma of Pentwater and Brenda Hilderbrandt of New Era have been hard at work, restorating the Pentwater Township Cemetery.
PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — Over the spring and summer, members of the Michigan Dunes Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution — Shannon Larson, Brenda Hilderbrandt, and prospective member Melissa Grondsma — led significant restoration efforts at Pentwater Township Cemetery.
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Larson, the founder of the Friends of Pentwater Township Cemetery group, worked alongside Hilderbrandt and Grondsma, who are also members of the Friends of Pentwater Township Cemetery. Their shared dedication to preserving the community’s history continues to shine through their work.
Throughout the warmer months, volunteers concentrated on cleaning headstones in sections 1, 2, 9, 10, and 11 — bringing new life to many weathered stones and ensuring the names and stories they bear remain visible and remembered.
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A specialized team, led by Larson, Hilderbrandt, and Grondsma, then focused on Section 13, where they re-set and leveled eight Civil War–era marble tablet stones utilizing a tripod built and donated by Robert Larson of Pentwater. Over the decades, many markers had shifted, sank or tipped.
The team then moved on to restore additional headstones in sections 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Among the restored headstones were those of Frank Whitcomb (1841–1872), Mary Williams (1868–1881), Laura Barber (1849–1859), Edward Graham (1842–1867, Civil War veteran), Alexander and William Brookshes (1863–1863), Willie Brookshes (1876–1893), Olive Roscoa (1803–1885) and her daughter Lucy Cluchey (1833–1882), Mary Harrison (1822–1872), Margaret Knewdson (1839–1863) and her daughter Jennie Knewdson (1862–1864), Welthy Weatherbee (1842–1863), and George (unknown child).
Where possible, the team unearthed and reused existing bases. When necessary, they poured new concrete foundations using frames built and donated by Ray Hilderbrandt of New Era and Craig Bowen of Pentwater, ensuring each stone now stands securely and proudly for years to come.
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Five more tablet stones were repaired and re-set this season, including those of Alexander Black (1808–1868) and his wife Helen Black (1810–1874), Isabela La Fountain (1830–1881), Norman Barber (1855–1859), Llewellyn Durkee (1867–1868), and John W. Greer (1871–1873).
This work continues the group’s mission to preserve and honor the legacy of Pentwater’s early residents.
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Looking ahead, the team hopes to have War of 1812 veteran Bartow Underhill’s large monument professionally re-set next spring. The project is estimated to cost approximately $1,500.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all the dedicated volunteers and supporters whose efforts keep Pentwater’s local history alive and visible for generations to come.
For more information, contact Pentwater Township or email friendsofpentwatertwpcemetery@gmail.com
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