Cemeteries (and their names) are always changing. Old ones are lost or re-discovered. New burials and removals occur as new plats are created. Old, sugared marble stones are replaced by granite, while others just go missing. I've worked cemeteries for years and years, and feel better in them than anywhere else on earth (good thing, I guess). At a certain time of the year, in a certain light and angle of the sun...a stone, that you could not read before, appears as clear as a tree. Pettis County has good, but dated, cemetery records in relation to other counties. I plan to post, record, and up-date as many as possible. But the process takes time. So while I like to see and do things myself, I won't turn away help. I recorded/updated about 20 Pettis County cemeteries during the first week of June, 2003. The largest of these not seen before are the Hebrew Union Cemetery and the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
CONVENTIONS USED : Computers don't like literal marker recordings. So all recordings are adjusted for computers. Each given name entry has a surname attached (when known), whether or not thats the case in the cemetery. For examples... there may be a lot with a surname stone and all other markers use only given names; or, a husband and wife marker often has the surname once above the given names and data. Often an older marker will list a child's name first as 'Harry, son of Bert & Jane Smith' so that the computer indexes on HARRY...to avoid this, the reading is transposed to 'Smith, Harry, son of Bert & Jane.' Often more than one surname appears on a marker, requiring separate listings. Where two markers exist, as with a civilian and military marker, the personal data is combined; ie 'John J. Smith' on the civilian stone and 'John Jefferson Smith' on the military...the recording will use the latter with additional detail. [George C. Willick - 2003]
Additional transcripts submitted by Justin Watkins.
ABELL Cemetery (aka Bryant, aka Ransdell) : 38.39.15N - 93.10.39W : North east corner of Flat Creek Township, Section 24, on the east side of M just north of Pleasant Hill Road.
New recording 6/3/2004
ALLCORN-DUMSDAY Cemetery : Sedalia Township, Section 14. South on New York Avenue to McVey Road at 40th Street, turn east. Pass Goodwill Chapel Road on the right and then cross a small stream known as Breakfast Brook. A lane appears on the north side of McVey Road immediately after passing the branch, take a left into it and go to the end. You are on private property. Acquire permission from the owner. The cemetery is ne of a shed structure on a small loop lane.
ANTIOCH BAPTIST Church Cemetery : 38.33.09N - 93.27.40W : Washington Township, Section 27, on west side of road at Manila. South on 65 twelve miles to 52, west 3.5 miles to E, north on E one mile. Recorded April 22, 2004
ATKINS-STEVENS Cemetery : Flat Creek or Sedalia Township, Section 23. There are two Section 23s in Flat Creek Township. This cemetery is somewhere in the northern-most Section but it is equally divided between the two townships by Flat Creek.
BAHNER Cemetery : Lake Creek Township, Section 21. In Bahner, south side of M due west of St John Catholic Church. Currently accepting burials.
BAPTIST AFRICAN Cemetery : Prairie Township, Unk Section. Abandoned, marked and unmarked graves with surnames Boone, Johnson, Thomas, and Whitney.
BELL Cemetery : 38.30.47N - 93.30.14W : Green Ridge Township - Section 7. Near Windsor, on west side of county road just north of Benton County border - a mile and a half sse of Windsor on Vanslyke Road, the only county road in Section 7. Unrecorded. I couldn't locate this cemetery on June 5, 2004. Amish area.
BENNINGFIELD Cemetery : Hughesville Township, Section 34. 3 marked graves.
BETHEL Union Church Cemetery (aka Old Bethel): 38.42.48N - 93.27.39W : Elk Fork Township - Section 4. North side of Y, about 12 miles west of Sedalia. Cemetery is about midway between Mahin Road, entering on the north side of Y, and Renfrow Road, entering on the south side. This was a frame structure, in use by two congregations simultaneously, Methodist and Baptist.
New recording 6/3/2004
BETHLEHEM BAPTIST Church Cemetery : 38.37.30N - 93.14.45W : Flat Creek Township, Section 4. South of Sedalia on 65 to F, 4.1 miles east on F (Anderson Road). Church and Cemetery on south side of road at Crawford Lane. Currently accepting burials.
New recording 6/4/2004
BLACKWATER CHAPEL Cemetery : 38.53.29N - 93.27.57W : Blackwater Township, Section 5. Two miles e,se of Dunksburg on Blackwater Chapel Road. Well attended, fenced. Currently accepting burials. [I really liked this place. GCW] Up-dated recording 6/5/2003
BLAIR Cemetery : Smithton Township, Section 32. South on M, 7 miles from the Red School House.
BOHON (Walter R.) Cemetery : Smithton Township, Section 23. Two miles south of Smithton on Rattlesnake Hill Road, east at Kahr Road, in a field south of the end of the lane. Acquire permission before you go and let someone know where you are. Kahr Lane is a cul de sac and you may have to back out (a long way).
BOTTS Cemetery : (see WALNUT BRANCH Cemetery)
BOURN Cemetery : Flat Creek Township, Section 4. See BROWN's CHAPEL Cemetery below..
BOWEN Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township. One marker.
BROWN'S CHAPEL Cemetery : Flat Creek Township - unknown Section, likely 4 or 33 (North). Partially destroyed by change of creek flow. Surviving markers now considered lost. Recorded by Mary Frances (Elliott) Young & Mrs. J. R. Carter.
BRYANT Cemetery: (see ABELL Cemetery)
CALVARY Cemetery : A couple sections of the old Crown Hill Cemetery plat abutting Engineer Street that was set aside and consecrated for catholic burials. Records are in the Crown Hill Office, 830 N. Engineer, Sedalia, Mo 6530 --- (660) 826-1562
CAMP BRANCH BAPTIST Church Cemetery : 38.50.42N - 93.14.09W : Prairie Township, Section 21. The church complex sits on the se corner of the intersection of Camp Branch Road & 32nd Street Road. Up-dated recording 6/7/2003
CHRISTIAN Cemetery : 38.30.29N : 93.20.14W : Washington Township, Section 10. Located on the east side of ZZ highway at the Benton County border. Up-dated recording 6/2003
CLOPTON Cemetery : 38.50.37N - 93.07.43W : Heath's Creek Township, Section 20. Off road.
COUNTY LINE Church Cemetery : 38.50.22N - 93.27.52W : Blackwater Township, Section 20. Off highway 127, west on Stokley Road to the cemetery on north side.
CRAIGHEAD Cemetery : 38.44.06N - 93.24.45W : La Monte Township, Section 26. No recording known.
CROWN HILL Cemetery (aka City Cemetery) : 830 N. Engineer, Sedalia, Mo 65301 --- (660) 826-1562. Current records available. An old (circa 1960) D.A.R. interment listing, taken from Crown Hill records, is at the Sedalia library. Lay-out
DeJARNETTE Family Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section 15 (se corner). From US 65, go east on HH one mile, then north on HH one mile. Cemetery on left as road turns right.
DEPPELER Family Cemetery : 38.32.44N - 93.05.30W : Lake Creek Township, Section 35. Located 3 miles se of Bahner. On south side of M about 1/4 mile before M-KK Junction.
New recording 6/5/2003
DORSEY Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section 17 (ne corner). 2 graves known - Wm & Margaret A. Dorsey.
DRESDEN Cemetery : 38.44.49N - 93.20.06W : Dresden Township - Section 22. West on Hwy 50 to T road, right on T to the first street to the right. Turn right, then right again to the end of the gravel lane. Currently accepting burials. New recording 10/14/2003
DRESDEN Black Cemetery : Dresden Township, Section 23. In Dresden, go north on T road over the tracks, take first road to right for 1.3 miles. Cemetery on north side of the road.
New recording 6/5/2003
DURLEY Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section 14. Two miles north and east from city limits on Longwood road. When HH curves to the right (east).
DURRILL Cemetery : Flat Creek Township, Section 3. South of Anderson School Road on Hwy U. Samuel L. Anderson, 31011 Hwy U, use to own the property. Reported Oct. 5, 2007, as Destroyed.
ELLIS Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section 20. About 100 yards north of Kemp Road between Bois d'Arc & Woodland Roads. Two recordings: 1960 by Mrs. J. R. Carter and Dec 17, 2001, by Justin Watkins.
FLAT CREEK BAPTIST Cemetery : 38.37.48N - 93.08.00W : Smithton Township, Section 33. From Sedalia, go 7 miles south on M, turn east on Garrison Road, then north on Backbone Road. Church and cemetery about a half mile ahead on the nw corner of a bend. Currently accepting burials. Recorded April 22, 2004
FORBES Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section (?). Five markers known.
GEORGETOWN Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section 16. Off Hwy H, ne of Georgetown on the Mittlehauser property. Unattended.
GLASSCOCK Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section (?). Seven markers known.
GODFREY Cemetery : Washington Township, Section 28. A half mile north of Manila and west one mile. Three markers.
GOODNIGHT Cemetery : Flat Creek Township, Section 2. Begin at Hwy 65 & F (Anderson School Road). East on F about 3.5+ miles to Hendrickson Road connecting from the south. Turn right approx .3 mile. Lane gate with small cemetery sign will appear at that point.
GREEN RIDGE Cemetery : 38.37.17N - 93.20.11W : Green Ridge Township, Section 2. West of town. Currently accepting burials. New (2008) cemetery census recording.
GREER Cemetery : Longwood Township, Section __. Location and condition unknown.
GRESHAM Cemetery : 2 markers
GRINSTEAD Cemetery : Longwood Township, Section __. Location and condition unknown.
HAGGARD Cemetery : Sedalia Township, Section __(likely 17). Location and condition unknown.
HEBREW UNION Cemetery (Sons of Israel) : 38.41.15N - 93.14.14W. Located in Sedalia on the west side of Grand Avenue near 28th Street. This medium-sized cemetery is well-kept and fenced. Many inscriptions in both Hebrew and English. Currently accepting burials. New recording 6/4/2003
HICKORY POINT (New) Cemetery : 38.39.55N - 93.28.10W : Elk Fork Township, Section 29. East of AA on the se corner of Binder Road intersecting from the east. About 4 crow miles nw of Green Ridge. Currently accepting burials. Up-dated recording 10/13/2003
HICKORY POINT (Old) Cemetery : 38.39.55N - 93.28.10W : Elk Fork Township, Section 21. About a mile ne of the cemetery above, on private property. Accessible toward the east from AA but a half mile off road.
HIERONYMUS Cemetery : Longwood Township, Section (?).
HIGH HILL Cemetery : 38.51.16N - 93.14.41W : Hughesville Township, Section 17. On D just east of High Point Cemetery about a quarter mile, south side of road. Cemetery inactive, if not destroyed.
HIGH POINT Cemetery : 38.51.18N - 93.15.02W : Hughesville Township, Section 17. West of 65 on D two miles to High Point Road. Cemetery on sw corner of that intersection. Currently accepting burials. Up-dated recording 6/8/2003
HIGHLAND SACRED GARDENS : 38.40.59N - 93.11.18W : 3600 E. 28th St., Sedalia, MO 65301 ---- (660) 827-2523. A lawn cemetery. Current records available.
HODGES Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section 19 (NW in NW). Above Longwood near Saline County border. Two markers.
HOLMAN Cemetery : Bowling Green Township, Section 12.
HOPEWELL Cemetery : 38.48.47N - 93.09.58W : Heath's Creek Township, Section 31 (nw). Near Newland. Currently accepting burials. Up-dated recording 6/5/2003
HOUSTONIA Cemetery : 38.52.39N - 93.21.11W : Houstonia Township, Section 32. Take a gravel road southeast of town to the cemetery. Its about four blocks as the crow flies. Fenced and well attended. New recording June 3 & 4, 2004
IRVING Cemetery (aka Irwin) : 38.47.45N - 93.04.00W : Located in Bowling Green Township, Section 1. Go east on HH to 135, turn north to JJ. North on JJ two miles, turn left on section road. Cemetery is on south side, 3/4ths of a mile.
JENKINS Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section 33. On the east side of J, a half-mile north of Joplin Mill Road and a quarter mile south of the Postal Road. Three clicks south of Saline County.
JENNINGS Cemetery : Bowling Green Township, Section 22. A mile+ east of Beaman on HH to N. Woods Road, turn south. Off road, enclosed by a chain link fence.
JOPLING Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section 30. Destroyed.
KEMP Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section (?). Two markers.
LA MONTE Cemetery : 38.46.56N - 93.25.55W : La Monte Township, Section 10. Located on the NW corner of the town. Currently accepting burials. New recording of Section 1 on June 5, 2004.
LAKE CREEK Church Cemetery : 38.34.54N - 93.04.46W : Lake Creek Township, Section 13. West of Lutnam Road a quarter mile up a hill overlooking Lake Creek to the north. Access lane has a metal gate.
LAMB Cemetery : 38.33.41N - 93.04.34W : Lake Creek Township, Section 24. West side on KK, south of Bunker Hill Road.
LEE Cemetery : 38.45.21N - 93.05.01W : Bowling Green Township, Section 14. South side of HH about a half mile west of the HH/135 junction. The cemetery is back a ways from HH.
LONE STAR Cemetery : 38.35.43N - 93.08.18W : Lake Creek Township, Section 9. When M turns east to meet W continue south until road turns west. South .5 miles on a lane through private property. Lone Star Community. Erroneously labeled Vinson/Chaney Cem. by Mrs Carter.
LONGWOOD Cemetery : 38.53.48N - 93.10.06W : Longwood Township, Section 36. Southeast of town a quarter mile off BB, where it turns north in Longwood. Visible from BB.
MAJORS Cemetery : see Old UNION Church Cemetery.
McGEE Cemetery : Smithton Township, Section 28 (NW in SW quarter). Less than 10 markers surviving.
McKEE CHAPEL Cemetery : 38.38.24N - 93.18.51W : Prairie Township, Section 35. On a loop road (Mergen) south of B. Currently accepting burials. Up-dated recording 6/7/2003
MEMORIAL PARK Cemetery : 3306 Greenridge Road, Sedalia, MO 65301-6882 ---- (660) 826-7791. A lawn cemetery. Current records available.
METHODIST CHUCH Cemetery : 38.31.25N - 93.21.50W : Washington Township, Section 4 (sw). 3 miles from Ionia. Off 52, south on Pleasant View Road a mile to a west running section road known as Elm Branch. The cemetery is northeast of this 3 way junction in a wooded area. Visible from the road in winter. Long abandoned. Recorded 3/1/2006 by Mr. & Mrs. J. C. & Carol Mahnken of Green Ridge, MO
MILLER'S CHAPEL Cemetery : 38.53.43N - 93.06.35W : Heath's Creek Township, Section 33. A mile and a half west of Postal on the north side of Miller's Chapel road. Currently accepting burials. Up-dated recording 6/6/2003
MOSBY Cemetery : Smithton Township, Section 31. South side of M when it goes southeast past McGee Road. [Two miles northwest of Flat Creek Baptist Church.]
MT. HERMAN Cemetery : 38.46.29N - 93.13.11W : Cedar Township, Section 10. North on 65 from Sedalia about 3+ miles to Mt. Herman Road on the right (east). Cemetery is a third of a mile on the left. Currently accepting burials. Up-dated recording 6/7/2003
NELSON Cemetery : Washington Township, Section 5. Two miles east of Green Ridge on the north side of Dove Road...west of Wisdom Road intersection. Partial list 11/27/2006
NEW BETHEL Church Cemetery : 38.37.10N - 93.16.00W : Flat Creek Township, Section 5. Five miles south of Sedalia on Hwy 65, east side. Currently accepting burials. Recorded April 21, 2004
O'BANNON Cemetery : Blackwater Township, Section (?). Six markers.
OLIVE BRANCH Cemetery : 38.46.45N - 93.08.08W : Bowling Green Township, Section 8. Up-dated recording 10/14/2003.
PEMBERTON/RABOURN Cemetery : 38.42.28N - 93.26.33W : Elk Fork Township, Section 3. Located on the north side of Y, about a mile east of Bethel Cemetery. Up-dated recording Apr 24, 2004.
PLEASANT HILL Church Cemetery : 38.38.03N - 93.10.52W : Flat Creek Township, Section 36. Southern Methodist Cemetery six miles southeast of Sedalia on M to Pleasant Hill Road. West on Pleasant Hill Road 1.6 miles to the Methodist Church on the right. Cemetery behind the church and currently accepting burials. Up-dated recording 6/8/2003.
POINT PLEASANT Cemetery : 38.33.01N - 93.16.17W : Flat Creek Township, Section 30. Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery 10 miles south of Sedalia on the nw corner of the intersection of US 65 & Manila Road. Cemetery is inactive.
POSTAL Cemetery (old, name unknown) : Heath's Creek Township, Section 35. 8 markers known.
PRAIRIE CHAPEL Cemetery : 38.31.22N - 93.22.55W : Washington Township, Section 8 (nw). A mile west of Methodist Cemetery on the south side of Elm Branch road. [The cemetery Mrs. Carter mistakenly recorded as 'Prairie Chapel' was 'Prairie Hill']. Recorded Jan & Feb, 2006, by Mr. & Mrs. J. C. & Carol Mahnken of Green Ridge, MO.
PRAIRIE HILL Cemetery : 38.48.18N - 93.21.19W : Dresden Township, Section 5 (ne). East side of T road at an intersection of a county road from the east. Right on the Houstonia Township line. Recorded 6/3/2004.
PRICEVILLE Cemetery : see SHY Cem.
PRIGMORE Cemetery : Blackwater Township, Section 29 (nw). A quarter mile south of Saline County line on the county road that runs through the center of the section, north to south. 1000 feet west of the old Edwin H. Berry farmhouse. Family farm cemetery surrounded by stone wall and occasionally attended. Not previously recorded by Pettis County genealogists but the Historical Society of Warrensburg is said to have a census.
PROVIDENCE Church Cemetery : 38.44.18N - 93.04.19W : Bowling Green Township, Section 25. 6 miles east of Sedalia on US 50 turn north on 135, go three miles to the intersection of 135 & Providence Road. Cemetery at that intersection, sw corner. Up-dated recording 10/4/2003
QUISENBERRY Cemetery : 38.41.59N - 93.17.49W : Prairie Township, Section 12. Off the south side of Y road, a mile west of current Sedalia limits. Presently on the 18th hole of the Sedalia Country Club. Aka Shobe Cemetery.
RABOURN Cemetery, see PEMBERTON/RABOURN
RAINES Cemetery : 38.55.37N - 93.07.21W : Heath's Creek Township, Section 21. Four miles north-east of Longwood on the east side of Hwy J just before the Saline County line near junction with Walk Road.
RAMEY Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section 20 (nw). A little south of Georgetown. Four markers.
RANSDELL Cemetery : see ABELL Cemetery
REES Cemetery : Dresden Township, Section 11 (SE quarter). Five markers.
ROBERTS Cemetery : Blackwater Township, Section ?
ST. JOHN the Evangelist Church Cemetery : 421 3rd St.; Bahner, Mo 65350 --- (660) 827-2311. Lake Creek Township, Section 21. In Bahner, south side of M. Originally platted as Bahner Cemetery.
ST. JOHN's Catholic Cemetery (1838-1882) : Lake Creek Township, Section 35. Borders the south side of St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. Three gates south of M. Cemetery is inactive. Cemetery markers are not known to have been recorded.
ST. PATRICK's Cemetery : 38.35.22N - 93.12.48W : Flat Creek Township, Section 15. South on Hwy U (Ingram Street) from Sedalia about 7 miles (aka Spring Fork Church Cemetery). Currently accepting burials. New recording 6/5/2003.
ST. PAUL's Lutheran Cemetery : 38.32.38N - 93.05.32W : Lake Creek Township, Section 35. Three+ miles east of Bahner on the south side of M, but back a ways through two gates. Two white metal signs identify the driveway. Currently accepting burials.
New recording 6/5/2003.
SALEM METHODIST Church Cemetery : 38.44.07N - 93.08.00W : Bowling Green Township, Section 28. Located about 8 miles NE of Sedalia. North of Hwy 50 about 3.1 miles on O Road. Up-dated recording 10/13/2003.
SCOTT Cemetery : 38.49.46N - 98.03.12W : Heath's Creek Township : Section 20.
SHOBE Cemetery : 38.41.59N - 93.17.49W : Prairie Township, Section 12. Off the south side of Y road, a mile west of current Sedalia limits. Presently on the 18th hole of the Sedalia Country Club. Aka Quisenberry Cemetery.
SHY Cemetery (old Priceville Cem) : Smithton Township, Section 9 (s half). South from Highway 50 on Pony Path Road to Locust Grove.
SMITHTON Cemetery : 38.40.11N - 93.05.55W : Smithton Township, Section 15. A half mile sw of Smithton on west side of Rattlesnake Hill Road. Currently accepting burials. New Recordings in Progess
SOUTH FORK Cemetery : 38.55.01N - 93.25.22W : Blackwater Township, Section 27. Located about 1/2 mile east of 127 on South Fork Road, south side. 33% recording made 6/4/2004. The Historical Society of Warrensburg is said to have a census.
THOMSON Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section 7. About 2.5 miles nw of Georgetown off Hwy H. This is the cemetery of General David Thomson, War of 1812, and the man who led the charge that killed Tecumseh.
TURLEY Cemetery : Longwood Township. Three markers known.
UNION Church Cemetery : 38.51.31N - 93.04.16W : Heath's Creek Township, Section 11. From Hwy 65, 9 miles north of Sedalia, turn east on J, go 5.5 miles to N. Turn east on N and follow it to church and cemetery on left (north). This is one mile from Cooper County.
New recording 6/2/2004.
UNION Church (Old) Cemetery : Longwood Township, Section 7. [Problem is...there is no Section 7 in Longwood Township. Old directions: "North of Route J on farm owned by John and Mary Ruth Nichols."] It was organized by four denominations: The M. E. Church, Cumberland Presbyterian, Reformed, and M. P. Churches in 1852. Then became known as The Christian Church. It was a brick structure, with only the foundation still visible in the early 1960s.
WALNUT BRANCH (aka Botts) Cemetery : 38.42.43N - 93.24.07W : Elk Fork Township, Section 1. Located in the middle of the section ne of the intersection of 127 and Y. Access is by the county road north of Y, one mile east of the mentioned intersection. It turns west after a half-mile, and then north again...do not make the second north turn but go straight...the cemetery will appear on the right (north) side of the road. Part of this county road is called 16th Street and part is called Botts.
WARREN (Erbin) Cemetery : Flat Creek Township, Section 16. Located on the farm of Robert Brosch, 104 Covered Bridge Road (south side). Heavily damaged, all markers down. Owner is less than inviting to visitors.
WARREN (Hedgeman) Cemetery : Flat Creek Township, Section 21. South on Grand Avenue Road to Forest Park Road. East on Forest Park Road .3 of a mile. Cemetery on north side of road, about 40 yards in timber.
WEATHERS Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section (?). Six graves marked.
WEST LIBERTY CHURCH Cemetery : site acquired & expanded as/by Mt. Herman Church & Cemetery.
WHARTON CHAPEL Cemetery : Heath's Creek Township, Section 36. Two+ miles east of Miller Chapel. Stones piled in pasture. Destroyed.
WRIGHT Cemetery : Cedar Township, Section 10. Three graves marked.
