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Commission says veterans registry now 184 names; Guthrie Burying Ground noted to be in disarray
Summary
Commissioner Hunt told the O'Fallon Historical Preservation Commission that seven names were added to the commission’s veterans burial list, bringing the total to 184, and raised concerns about the Guthrie Burying Ground’s poor condition and the homeowners association’s maintenance responsibilities.
Commissioner Rick Hunt reported that volunteers and local groundskeeper Dennis Murray helped the commission add seven names to its list of veterans buried in O'Fallon cemeteries, bringing the register to 184 documented veterans.
Hunt said the commission will continue outreach and documentation efforts: "We were able to add 7 new individuals to our list, so that puts us up to 184 total now," and offered to send the registry as a PDF to city staff for wider distribution.
The commissioner also described the Guthrie Burying Ground off Bay Brook Court as "in disarray," noting fallen trees and a damaged fence. Hunt said the property is the responsibility of the neighborhood homeowners association, not the city, and that city staff had issued citations. He volunteered to follow up on the citation process and to coordinate with the funeral home Pittman to verify graves and add names to online records such as Find a Grave.
Commissioners discussed next steps for enforcement and community outreach. One member asked whether the commission should check on the homeowners association and whether a 30‑ or 90‑day compliance timeline applied; Hunt said he would follow up with staff to clarify the citation timeline and to contact the homeowners association if necessary.
The commission also discussed outreach channels to raise public awareness of the registry: Hunt suggested publishing the full list in the city newsletter to solicit help identifying burials; staff said the list is already online but agreed to accept a PDF submission for possible placement in the city's email blast.
The item concluded with a commitment from the commissioner to verify graves at the sites named and to coordinate additions to the registry and online databases. The commission did not take a formal vote beyond noting it would follow up through staff and the appropriate agencies.
