Alchin Cemetery is located on Van Orden Road in Webberville. The name comes from the Alchin Family Farm who owned the property before it was purchased in 1848.

 

Mr. Melvin Oesterle was the caregiver for the cemetery for many years. After he died, his son Paul Oesterle continued the job. Paul hires another employee to mow the grass.

 

Mr. Oesterle has a map of the cemetery lot. He knows where everyone’s lots are and they are recorded in a book. The records are also located on a computer. There are 151 years of records. Part of Mr. Oesterle’s job is to keep track of burials and be sure they are recorded. There are usually 10-15 burials a year. He also has a five-member board that helps him to make decisions concerning the cemetery.

 

Mr. Melvin Oesterle always felt bad when they had funerals during really cold or hot weather because the weather wasn’t good for the sad families and friends. He wanted to have a chapel built, so that families had a place to gather during bad weather. He helped gather $35,000 in donations and the chapel was built.The chapel contains a bathroom, office, and a small church like interior. Construction on the chapel was completed in 1993. However, Mr. Melvin Oesterle died before he could really see the chapel. Several families have expressed how much they have appreciated the chapel.

 

By Jesse from Mrs. Johnson’s Webberville 4th class