Marion IOOF Cemetery

05/09/2026

02/11/2026

Thanks to Grant County Sheriff's Office - Marion, IN and the work crew!

10/14/2025

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09/17/2025

From SOS (Save Our Stories) Marion:

As you probably know, Deb Cain, Center Township Trustee, has lobbied for Estates of Serenity to be under the ownership & control of the county. The courts have awarded Center Township Trustee control of the property.

Estates of Serenity, formerly known as IOOF Cemetery, is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Grant County. Due to previous mismanagement and malfeasance, the cemetery has been neglected for decades. In the short time that Deb has had stewardship of the property, she has had crews working. They have made visible improvements.

Deb will appear before the Grant County Council tomorrow, September 17, at 6 p.m. to request funding for the work that needs to be done. If you have time tomorrow evening to attend as a show of support for her efforts, it will have a positive impact.

If you have questions about the property or her work there, please contact her at [email protected] or 765.573.8069.

07/17/2025

07/10/2025

🧑🏽‍⚖️ BREAKING: JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF DEB CAIN — TOWNSHIP GAINS CONTROL OF ESTATES OF SERENITY

📍 The fight is over. The work begins.

On July 7, 2025, Judge Nathan Meeks issued a court order officially granting full care and maintenance responsibilities of Estates of Serenity Cemetery to the Center Township Trustee’s Office, marking a landmark legal victory for Trustee Deb Cain after more than a year of court delays, failed mediation, and public concern.

⚖️ THE RULING:
• The court found Marion Cemetery Corporation — led by President Brian Jeffrey — unable to afford or manage the upkeep of the 100-acre cemetery
• The cemetery was declared in a state of “utter disrepair and deplorable conditions,” with only Brian Jeffrey, one full-time employee, and one part-time employee overseeing thousands of burial plots
• The court commended the Corporation’s efforts, but emphasized: “commendable efforts are not always sufficient for the task at hand.”
• Judge Meeks likened the situation to “bailing water from the Titanic as she sunk beneath the ocean waters”

💥 THE VERDICT:

“The Center Township Trustee’s Office is henceforth vested with the care and maintenance of Estates of Serenity… and vested with all statutory powers, including the power to sell plots.”

📂 The court order also requires:
• Full cooperation from Marion Cemetery Corporation
• Immediate access to cemetery records, grounds, and maintenance equipment
• A 7-day deadline for full transfer of authority and access

💰 What About Funding?
Cain had previously secured $600,000 in revitalization funds from the Marion City Council and Grant County Council to jumpstart restoration efforts. But now, Cain will need to once again ask our local officials to reaffirm this funding, now that judgment rules the township has full statutory powers.

🕊️ What’s Next:
Center Township will now begin the monumental task of cleaning, restoring, and rebuilding trust—plot by plot, stone by stone.

But this won’t be done alone.

The same community Cain has fought so passionately for will now have the opportunity to step up and support this final effort. She has envisioned something extraordinary for this last ask—plans that ensure this sacred space becomes a place of peace and dignity.

A place where no one has to bring a mower in the trunk or a w**d trimmer in the back of a van… just to pay their respects.

📲 Stay with Channel 27 News for ongoing coverage as this historic transition unfolds.

08/01/2024

From Deborah Cain, Center Township Trustee:

The Estates of Serenity (formerly the IOOF Cemetery) is in deplorable condition and continually declines. I have been in the office of Center Township Trustee since January 2023 which during that time I’ve researched and studied the state laws governing cemeteries in a township. By law the Township can have a cemetery that is unkept and/or has lack of funds to properly care for the grounds to be conveyed to that township.
That is what I have been pursuing so that the thousands of families of those buried on the grounds can be properly cared for in the manner THEY DESERVE.

I need your voice to be heard for your loved ones.
The city council has passed my request for funding to assist the township onto PUBLIC HEARLING [sic] on August 6th at 7:00 p.m. Many of the council members stated during the casting their vote, “I vote yes as I want to hear from the public”.
Come and attend the public hearing in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 S. Branson St, 1st floor, to let your voice be heard on behalf of your loved ones and others who are buried on the grounds.

If you cannot be there in person, please send an email to [email protected] It does not have to be long, just a note stating you support my efforts in having the cemetery conveyed to Center Township.

As a Trustee there are specific state statutes with detailed requirements for proper care of a cemetery and there are stringent financial reporting requirements that must be followed. I intend to follow procedure properly as according to the statute; it is a Class C felony if not. You have my word that this is a passion of mine and I endeavor to do all I can to return the cemetery to the condition that it should be.

08/01/2024

From the Grant County Historical Society:

As you may have heard, the Center Township Trustee, Deb Cain, made a presentation regarding the Estates of Serenity/Marion IOOF Cemetery at the joint session of the Grant County Council and Grant County Commissioners meeting back on July 10th. A video link to this meeting is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/OZgwKnW3wMM?si=3Yr0W8RfNzmVBGec

There will be a public hearing on August 6 at the Marion City Council at 7 p.m. where comment can be made regarding plans by the Trustee to obtain possession of the cemetery in order to care for thousands buried there and honor their families. Trustee Deb Cain is seeking funds to help with her plan make this happen and needs help from the City of Marion.

If you are able to attend to show your support for the Trustee's plan by attending in person, or emailing [email protected] to express your support it would be appreciated.

The Center Township Trustee can be reached at 765-573-8069.

Grant County Joint Session (Council & Commissioners) 7-10-2024

05/28/2022

The community members of Marion, Grant County, IN, are at the cemetery this morning (Saturday, May 28, 2022) doing a clean-up. More people are needed. If you have time, stop out and lend a hand. This is a great community service project for scouts, community groups, families, etc.

If you're unable to help physically, donations for gas, water, etc. are appreciated!

Thanks Danny Hodge for pulling another clean-up day together. Richarh Tyson

05/25/2022

CEMETERY CLEANUP! Sorry for the late notice! This Saturday, May 28, beginning at 9 a.m. If you don't have any equipment, please show up we will have extra stuff there. IF anyone wants to help with donations for gas and / or food it would be very appreciated. ALSO EVERYONE THAT IS ABLE BRING RAKES AND TRASH BAGS, COOLERS WITH WATER, ANYTHING YOU THINK WOULD HELP!

In 2018, Danny Hodge rallied a call to the community for a cemetery clean-up. He's putting it together again this year. Let's get 'er done!