Leetonia honors Mary Ellen Cutchall
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LEETONIA - The Leetonia village administration Monday honored a civil servant who dedicated 18 years to The Leetonia Oakdale Cemetery.
Mary Ellen Cutchall was the cemetery clerk from 1993 through 2011 and also served on the Cemetery Board and Chapel Committee for numerous years. The Cemetery Board (President Barbara Knee, Marilyn Heddleson and August Cerrone) recognized Mary Ellen Cutchall, 95, for her years of service as the cemetery clerk.
Gary E. Phillips, Leetonia's village administrator, stated "If it wasn't for Mary Ellen, the chapel wouldn't be here. All of her persistence, hundreds of letters sent, and not giving up resulted in the Oakdale Cemetery Chapel being built."
The groundbreaking for the chapel took place Oct. 15, 1996. Some examples of items that were received due to Cutchall's efforts are the terrazzo tile floor donated by the Cleveland Metropolitan Airport and the stainless-steel cross donated by Bliss Salem Inc., which was built with left over metal from other projects. The chapel was built and is maintained by donations only and there is no fee to use the chapel for burial needs. The board only asks that a donation be made, if possible.
Heather Rae Kelm, the current cemetery clerk, stated, "I am very thankful for the records [Cutchall] kept during your time as cemetery clerk, and I strive to maintain the records to your standards or better."
When Cutchall started as clerk, none of the records were computerized and she spent countless hours computerizing the records.
Cutchall was presented with a personalized Cross Pen set, a plaque and some flowers in appreciation for everything she did for the cemetery while being in the official capacity of Oakdale Cemetery Clerk.
Knee stated, "Mary Ellen, we try to preserve and maintain the cemetery as well as you did during your time here. We are all dedicated to making Oakdale Cemetery better every year. Thank you for all your hard work."