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Memory garden installed

By Mary Ann Greier 2 min read
Stark Memorial Funeral Home owner Dan Madden, left, and Salem Parks Director Shane Franks stand between two new benches and a new flag pole at the new Garden of Memories by Stark Memorial near the State Street entrance to Centennial Park. Located off of Park Drive, the flag pole is in memory of those who passed away last year and one of the benches is in memory of former Stark Memorial owner Russell C. Loudon, who died last year. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)

SALEM -- A garden to remember those who have passed from this life now has two benches and a flag pole where visitors can rest and reflect.

Known as the Garden of Memories by Stark Memorial, the patch of land along Park Drive is part of the East State Street entrance to Centennial Park and is owned and maintained by the Salem Parks Department.

Stark Memorial Funeral Home donated the flag pole with the American and the state of Ohio flags in memory of those who passed away in 2020, many from COVID-19.

The funeral home and parks department partnered up last fall to develop a garden on the majority of the strip known as bell island that contains the familiar bell and stretches from East State Street to East Pershing Street.

Each year, the funeral home will donate benches, trees or other items to transform the area into a place of reflection to remember loved ones lost.

"It's always hard when a loved one passes away, but it's especially hard when it was the result of a national pandemic. It is our hope that you feel proud to be an American when you see the flag waving in the sun. Better times are ahead," Stark Memorial president and funeral director Dan Madden said.

A bench in memory of former Stark Memorial owner Russell C. Loudon was also placed near the flag pole in the Garden of Memories. Madden said "Russ was a pillar in the Salem community, and he will be missed."

Loudon passed away last year.

A second bench was installed by the parks department.

The Salem Parks Commission gave approval last fall for the Garden of Memories by Stark Memorial. The donations will be placed at the property under the control of Parks Director Shane Franks and Parks Foreman Jim Grimm.

Franks said the parks department is "thrilled to be partnering with Stark Memorial for this memory garden."

A flower garden at the south end of bell island, closest to East Pershing Street, continues to be maintained by former parks foreman Pete Sauerwein and his family.

For visitors, parking is available on either side of Park Drive.

mgreier@salemnews.net

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