Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery

03/02/2026

Another year is upon us, and mowing session is just around the corner. As a reminder all ground decorations must be removed by March the 8th, 2026. Any ground decorations left we will start removing them on March 9th, 2026. This is our standard operating procedure in preparation for the first mowing, and all ground decorations must remain off the ground during mowing session except for the Memorial Day Holiday then one week before to one week after Memorial Day ground decorations are allowed. Ground decorations are allowed from November 1 to March 1.

05/30/2025

A KEY HOLDER WAS FOUND IN THE CEMETERY AND IT DOES NOT BELONG TO ANY OF OUR RESIDENTS. THE HOLDER HAS A NAME ON IT. CALL THE CEMETERY AND IDENTIFY THE NAME ON THE HOLDER AND DESCRIBE IT AND IT IS YOURS.

05/27/2025

As we turn from the no less solemn duties of the Memorial Day events, we must be reminded that all ground decorations must be removed by June 2, 2025 so the mowers can continue to maintain our cemetery in the way we all want to see it being cared for. The requirement for the ground decoration removal is one way we are able to control the cost of mowing, and that is why we are so strict with this rule we have in our cemetery. Please understand this and help us keep the cost as low as we possibly can.

THANK YOU FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS.

05/27/2025

Memorial Day 2025 - To all the family and friends of the loved ones gone before us, THANKS for visiting and respecting our cemetery. We have worked hard against the weather with all the rain and wind to have it in GREAT shape for this respected day. We also want to give a HEART FELT THANK YOU to all who so gracefully donated to support our cemetery. It really does help in the maintenance and upkeep. We also want to acknowledge the American Legion for the flag display they set up this morning it really looks beautiful, and it helps to honor our men and women still in uniform that paid the ultimate price while in the service of our country.

THANK YOU EACH AND EVERYONE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY 2025.

05/17/2025

Remember during the mowing season we only allow ground decorations one week prior to one week after Memorial day. All ground decorations must be removed at that time or we will remove them. This helps to keep the mowing cost down at the Cemetery.

The Cemetery Board

05/17/2025

Family and Friends of Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery Benton Illinois.

Caretakers of the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery are asking for your help in honoring the memory of our loved ones and ancestors. Since the dedication of the cemetery in 1878 on a 10.5 acre plot it has grown to more than 54 acres. This has been maintained without any government and/or State assistance. The cost to mow is currently $3,500.00 each time it is mowed and weedeated. And with all of the storms we have had, a lot of the trees and limb removal has been added to the daily upkeep. We are working hard to care for our loved ones final resting place. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated. All money is used for the upkeep of the Cemetery.

We will be collecting at the office starting May 23 through May 26, 2025, so stop by and see us. Mail in contributions can be sent to:
Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery
P.O. Box 1302
Benton, Illinois 62812

Sincerely,
The Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery Board

03/06/2025

It’s that time of year again, we are preparing for the upcoming mowing season. We ask that all ground decorations be removed by the end of next week 3/16/2025 before the superintendent has them all removed. We greatly appreciate everyone’s compliance with this.

11/11/2024

FOR ALL OUR VETERANS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE WE HONOR THEE.

11/04/2024

HELP US TURN BLACK FRIDAY INTO RED FRIDAY AND GIVE THE BLOOD OF LIFE THAT SAVES LIVES. NOVEMBER 29, 2024 AT THE HERRIN'S PRAIRIE LODGE #693 LOCATED AT 320 NORTH 14TH STREET, HERRIN, ILLINOIS. BEHIND CITY HALL AND ACROSS FROM THE POLICE STATION. OUR GOAL IS TO EXCEED OUR GOAL AND WE NEED ALL THE DONORS THAT ARE WILLING TO GIVE. HOPE TO SEE YOU FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 2:00P.M.

06/13/2024

The Masonic and Oddfellow Cemetery has been without a phone for a week now. Our phone is now back up and working. So all who have tried to contact the Cemetery this past week you can now reach us. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Masonic and Oddfellow Cemetery Board.

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05/31/2024

To all those who visited the Cemetery this year (2024), we hope and pray that it met with your satisfaction. We are trying our best to maintain our Cemetery in the best condition that we can. The high winds and heavy rain fall created some issues with our memorial flags as well as in other Cemetery's. The Board members want to "GREATFULLY THANK ALL WHO VISITED AND MADE GENERIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS THIS YEAR." We especially are VERY GREATFUL to Shalyn Settlemoir for her effort in seeing that the flags are placed for the VETERANS in our Cemetery, this is a hugh undertaking for 36 acres of land and many Veterans. Thank You Shalyn for all you do for the Veterans in our Cemetery.

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