Lynnville bank accepting donations for headstone repairs

In response to a recent vandalism where multiple headstones in a Sully cemetery were damaged, a temporary account was established at First State Bank in Lynnville for the community to donate money for repairs.

Keith Renaud, vice-president of First State Bank and clerk of the Lynn Grove Township Board of Trustees, told Newton News the account was created May 17. The best way for anyone to donate funds to the repairs, Renaud said, is to mail a check to the bank at P.O. Box 187, Lynnville, Iowa, 50153.

Checks can be made to the Bethany Cemetery Fund.

Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was contacted at approximately 8:30 p.m. May 14 regarding damage observed at the Bethany Cemetery, 11480 E. 112th St. S., just south of Sully. The cemetery was established in 1866. The responding deputy met with the caller that discovered a number of headstones vandalized.

The sheriff’s office determined 43 stones were damaged.

The deputy made a report that night and then revisited the cemetery the next day to meet with the board of trustee members. Jasper County Sheriff’s Office says the damage had to have happened between May 11 and May 14. The damages are estimated to cost about $1,400.

Photographs of the damage were posted on the sheriff’s office Facebook page, which also circulated on local media outlets. The post has more than 400 reactions and more than 120 shares. Many of the headstones appear to have been lifted off or forcibly knocked off their base. The investigation remains open.

If anyone has any information regarding the incident, they are encouraged to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 641-792-5912.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com