ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY
South Washington Street
Tiffin, Ohio 44883
419.447.8244
Established: 1845
Acres:
No Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 1 Tombstone
For a relatively small, slightly rural cemetery, Saint Joseph’s boasts a fairly impressive community mausoleum. Situated just off South Washington Street, the building stands like a silent guardian of the cemetery grounds. The edifice has a very fortress-like appearance with drab gray walls and no windows facing streetside. The portico is surmounted by a stone cross beneath which are inscribed the following words:
Blessed are the dead
Who die in the Lord
Although the mausoleum appears from the exterior to contain two floors, a look inside the white marble interior reveals only one level stacked floor-to-ceiling with crypts six interments high. The central feature of the space is an altar and tabernacle above which hangs an enormous crucifix flanked by narrow stained-glass windows facing the graveyard behind the mausoleum. The large open space in front of the altar is illuminated by two large chandeliers. We are told this area is used for funeral services and can accommodate a sizeable group of mourners.
The cemetery grounds are peaceful though largely unremarkable. There are three monuments we found to be of note, however.
The first memorializes deceased clergy. A crucifix stands atop the monument while, beneath it, a Host, emanating streaming rays of light, hovers above a Communion chalice. Unfortunately, this impressive structure is falling into disrepair and, without the needed attention, will succumb to the elements in the not-too-distant future.
The second memorial of note honors members of the Bork family. Meaning no disrespect to the family or the sculptor who made their stone, the memorial seems to have been created with a lack of eye for detail.
A massive, rough-hewn block of granite with an ornately-carved façade represents Jesus’ sepulcher. Though the gospels state the stone which sealed Christ’s tomb was rolled away, the Bork monument depicts a decidedly rectangular stone which would have made rolling difficult, if not altogether impossible. In addition, if memory serves us correctly, Jesus’ Ascension was slated for several weeks following his Resurrection, yet, the Bork stone depicts him fresh from the tomb, arms outstretched, robes trailing as he floats serenely heavenward at least a month ahead of schedule.
Ah, details. Let’s chalk this up to artistic license.
The final memorial of note, is, by far, the most touching. Nestled in the embrace of a stand of evergreens, the figure of a young girl kneels, head bowed, at the feet of an angel who points towards the heavens. This lovely monument stands atop a granite pedestal bearing a plaque upon which the following information, faded with time, is inscribed:
Erected by St. Joseph Parish
To the Memory of her Children who lost their lives During the Flood of March 25th 1913
Mrs. George Klingshirn and her children
George Jr., 19 – Magdeline, 17 – Joseph, 15 – John, 13 – William, 11
Elizabeth, 10 – Richard, 8 – Catherine, 4 – and Helen, 2
Ray Hostler, 22 and Regina Ranker, 18
May Their Souls Rest in Peace
------------
Tragically, 428 people in various Ohio river towns died as a result of the 1913 flood. In Tiffin, 19 lives were lost. Twelve of the dead were members of Saint Joseph’s Parish and, as the memorial plaque makes clear, 11 of them were members of the same family.
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South Washington Street
Tiffin, Ohio 44883
419.447.8244
Established: 1845
Acres:
No Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 1 Tombstone
For a relatively small, slightly rural cemetery, Saint Joseph’s boasts a fairly impressive community mausoleum. Situated just off South Washington Street, the building stands like a silent guardian of the cemetery grounds. The edifice has a very fortress-like appearance with drab gray walls and no windows facing streetside. The portico is surmounted by a stone cross beneath which are inscribed the following words:
Blessed are the dead
Who die in the Lord
Although the mausoleum appears from the exterior to contain two floors, a look inside the white marble interior reveals only one level stacked floor-to-ceiling with crypts six interments high. The central feature of the space is an altar and tabernacle above which hangs an enormous crucifix flanked by narrow stained-glass windows facing the graveyard behind the mausoleum. The large open space in front of the altar is illuminated by two large chandeliers. We are told this area is used for funeral services and can accommodate a sizeable group of mourners.
The cemetery grounds are peaceful though largely unremarkable. There are three monuments we found to be of note, however.
The first memorializes deceased clergy. A crucifix stands atop the monument while, beneath it, a Host, emanating streaming rays of light, hovers above a Communion chalice. Unfortunately, this impressive structure is falling into disrepair and, without the needed attention, will succumb to the elements in the not-too-distant future.
The second memorial of note honors members of the Bork family. Meaning no disrespect to the family or the sculptor who made their stone, the memorial seems to have been created with a lack of eye for detail.
A massive, rough-hewn block of granite with an ornately-carved façade represents Jesus’ sepulcher. Though the gospels state the stone which sealed Christ’s tomb was rolled away, the Bork monument depicts a decidedly rectangular stone which would have made rolling difficult, if not altogether impossible. In addition, if memory serves us correctly, Jesus’ Ascension was slated for several weeks following his Resurrection, yet, the Bork stone depicts him fresh from the tomb, arms outstretched, robes trailing as he floats serenely heavenward at least a month ahead of schedule.
Ah, details. Let’s chalk this up to artistic license.
The final memorial of note, is, by far, the most touching. Nestled in the embrace of a stand of evergreens, the figure of a young girl kneels, head bowed, at the feet of an angel who points towards the heavens. This lovely monument stands atop a granite pedestal bearing a plaque upon which the following information, faded with time, is inscribed:
Erected by St. Joseph Parish
To the Memory of her Children who lost their lives During the Flood of March 25th 1913
Mrs. George Klingshirn and her children
George Jr., 19 – Magdeline, 17 – Joseph, 15 – John, 13 – William, 11
Elizabeth, 10 – Richard, 8 – Catherine, 4 – and Helen, 2
Ray Hostler, 22 and Regina Ranker, 18
May Their Souls Rest in Peace
------------
Tragically, 428 people in various Ohio river towns died as a result of the 1913 flood. In Tiffin, 19 lives were lost. Twelve of the dead were members of Saint Joseph’s Parish and, as the memorial plaque makes clear, 11 of them were members of the same family.
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