Trumaninfo.doc
11 August, 2007
Immaculate Conception Cemetery
Truman, Wisconsin
Established 1856
May we who survive and grieve the loss of loved ones rest 'in
The sure and certain hope' that we will be with them again.
The History of Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery
Compiled by Father Monte E. Robinson, Pastor
After our parish church (where Christ, in the Sacrament dwells), the second
Holiest spot in Truman is our parish cemetery where those who have gone before us
"marked with the sign of faith" now rest until the Day of Resurrection.
Our parish was established by Archbishop Henni of Milwauke in 1856. It was called
Saint Pius, later to be named Immaculate Conception. In 1856, our parish cemetery
was established around the first church to provide a place of dignity and rest for our
faithful departed.
The foundation of Saint Pius Church can still be found in the parish cemetery. FollowIng an old practice, the parish church was surrounded by those who died. The meaning
of this was at the heart of the Catholic Faith, that the dead are alive and still part of the
church. They are no longer part of the church militant on earth, but are now part of the
church suffering in purgatory or the church triumphant in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The ties of family, frienship, and love do not unravel with death or time.
In 1856, when our cemetery was begun in Kendalltown, Wisconsin, Immaculate
Conception was part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In 1946, we became part of
the new Diocese of Madison. Our second church was built in 1883 near the crossroads
in Truman, which is the location of our third and present church built in 1914. This
location was probably chosen for the sake of needed space of the growing
congregation.
Sesquicentennial Cemetery Committee: At the request of Father Monte Robinson, a
special committee was organized to provide the best information we have at this time
about our parish cemetery. The members of this committee are: Charlotte Kendall,
Chairman, Cathy McDonald, Deb Peterson, Camilla McDonald, Lorna Mae McDonald,
Judy Hastie, and Father Robinson.
This information, to the best of our ability, has been drawn from the following sources:
Parish Registrar of Deaths, actual canvassing of the cemetery stones, information from
the Lafayette County Historical Society, Registrar at Holy Rosary in Darlington, family
histories, and newspaper clippings.
Old Records: Records from our parish began in 1883. This coincides with
Father William O'Mahony becoming the first resident Pastor of Truman. The first
recorded deaths were in 1905. Records before this time have either been lost or
can be found at Shullsburg, Seymour, or Darlington. The first interments into our
cemetery included: Margaret (Mrs. Pat) McDermott (1790-2 Jan 1860), Timmothy
McGinity (1824-2 Mar 1860), Matthew McEnerney (1797-Apr 1860), and
Catherine (Mrs. James) McGuire (?-31 July 1860).
Parish Celebrates its 150th Anniversary: On August 13, 2006, his Excellency,
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, celebrated the sesquicentennial Mass at Immaculate
Conception Churh. This booklet is written in conjunction with that celebration.
It is said that the faintest of inks is better than the best memories. This booklet
then keeps alive the names and memories of those buried at Immaculate
Conception. The older parish records are written in Latin and the pages are fading,
thus this booklet hopes to preserve our history for the generations to follow.
Cemetery Walk: In November of 2004, also in conjunction with our 150 th
Anniversary, a Cemetery Walk was hosted. The walk was entitled, "If These
Stones Could Speak". Parish members reenacted the lives and times of various
parishioners. It was a celebration of our parish roots. It is because of our
ancestors in faith that this parish is what it is today.
Picture: If these stones could speak.
Gate of Heaven Arch: (pictured below) was erected in 1998 in memory of
Patrick and Elizabeth McDonald by their children: Kathryn, James, Marie, Anna,
Judy, Patrick Jr., Raymond, Lawerence, and Teresa. It was installed by the
grandchildren, who are seventh generation members at Truman.
Picture: Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
Picture: Mary Ellen McCabe, Marie Kliebenstein, & Fr. Monte Robinson.
Bench and Memory Garden: (pictured above) The bench and memory garden
were donated in 2001 in memory of Bernard Kliebenstein by his wife, Marie, and
their children: Jean, Janice, Jim, Joe, Dick, Mary Ellen, Tom, and Bill.
Chain Link Fence: In 1999, the fence along the front of the cemetery was donated in
memory of Cletus Byrnes by his wife, Judy, and their children: Barbara, Mary Jo,
Kathy, Steven, Kevin, Lynette, Brian, and Laurie.
Large Cross: The large cross along the north side of the cemetery was installed by the
Knights of Columbus of Belmont, Truman, and Calamine. Dan VanNatta made the
Cross. It is placed in memory of the countless unborn children who have died through
the evil of abortion. Father Robinson blessed the cross on Memorial Day, 2001.
Paved Cemetery Road: In 2006 the Leahy and Donahoe families repaved the
cemetery road. This was done in loving memory of Robert & Josephine Leahy and
Vincent & Iva Donahoe.
The Truman - Kendall Compact was approved December 9, 1984. Its sole purpose
is the upkeep and maintenance of Immaculate Conception Cemetery. The original
officers were: Robert Leahy, Donald Cunningham, and Robert Gevelinger. Funds
were collected of which the interest would be used for the upkeep of the parish
cemetery. Present officers are: Donald Cunningham, President; John Doyle, VicePresident; Cathy McDonald, Secretary/Treasurer.
Guardians of Our Cemetery: The legal guardians of the Truman Cemetery are:
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, President; Father Monte E. Robinson, Vice-President;
Monsignor Paul Swain, Vicar General; lay trustees are Larry McDonald and Joe
Kliebenstein.
Sexton: Lorna Mae McDonald has served as Sexton for many years and has provided
much valuable information that has greatly helped to write this booklet.
Pope John Paul II: The year 2005 brought the death of our beloved Pope John Paul
II. John Paul wrote so much about Christian death. We have witnessed the heavy
cross that he carried and the faith that he lived and preached until the very end. He was
an example and model for all Christians.
Thank You: A special "thank you" to all the committee members who helped in the
publication of our cemetery history. The parish extends a very special "thank you" to
Deb Peterson for her expertise and the endless time she spent working on this project.