• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

Honoring those who have gone before

December 11, 2019 By B.C. Manion

When Vernon Wynn looks across U.S. 41, he can see the final resting place of dozens of his relatives.

They’re among the roughly 1,600 people buried in Lutz Cemetery, at the corner of U.S. 41 and Fifth Ave., N .E.

The cemetery was established in 1911, and the first person buried there is known only as Mr. Nims, according to local historians. His grave marker is gone, but he is believed to have been buried there in 1914.

A scene from the Lutz Cemetery, as mist rises on a recent early morning. (B.C. Manion)

The plot of land offers a look into the community’s past, with generations of families buried there, and hundreds of veterans, too.

Some grave markers offer a spiritual message: “The Lord is my shepherd,” and “Thy will be done” and, “Every day is a gift from God. Share it with someone else.”

Another states simply: “Gone, but not forgotten.”

Some laid to rest there are widely known throughout Lutz.

Oscar Cooler, for instance, was a champion for youth sports, and there’s a sports complex named for him on Lutz Lake Fern Road.

Carolyn Meeker, former president of the Lutz Civic Association, is buried there, too. She was tenacious at Hillsborough County zoning hearings, taking on anyone who threatened to change the character of Lutz.

Ralph Combs, the very first Eagle Scout from Troop 12, is laid to rest there, too, Wynn said.

Wynn, who is president of the Lutz Cemetery Association, has deep roots in Lutz.

“My grandparents came here in 1920,” he said. “Where I live now, is where I was born and raised.”

Kathy Vanater, Vernon Wynn and Bob Jackson are officers in the Lutz Cemetery Association. They’re working to ensure the upkeep of the cemetery, where an estimated 1,600 are buried.

And, it’s because of that affinity for the community that Wynn decided to take an active role in the cemetery association.

The group wants to ensure that the grounds are well-kept, into perpetuity.

Wynn said their aim is: “To make sure that everything is going to be good for the community.”

“It’s paying respect to the people buried there,” said Kathy Vanater, the cemetery association’s secretary/treasurer.

Land for the cemetery was donated to the community, more than a century ago, by C.E. Thomas, who was president of the North Tampa Land Company, according to accounts published in The Tampa Tribune and other local publications.

The company was made up of a group of Chicago landowners who bought about 32,000 acres, north of the city of Tampa.

The original cemetery plot was 230 feet by 80 feet, according to “Citrus, Sawmills, Critters, Crackers …,” a local history book by Elizabeth Riegler MacManus and her daughter, Susan A. MacManus.

Over time, the cemetery has expanded.

“The folks in the community used to take care of the grounds,” Vanater said.

Volunteers gather in 1911 to clear land for the Lutz Cemetery. (Credit: ‘Going, Going, Almost Gone … Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories’)

Indeed, according to the MacManus book, when area residents gathered to clean up the cemetery, men would come with hoses and rakes, and women would pack a picnic lunch.

But, by the mid-1950s, the volunteer cleanups had dwindled.

“So, the Lutz Cemetery Association formed in 1956,” Vanater said.

For decades, the organization was low-key.

In recent years, though, a more active group of volunteers has stepped up — completing needed repairs, maintaining the grounds and making plans for its future upkeep.

Dead trees have been removed. The utility shed has a new roof. A replica of the original archway has been erected, and there’s now a cemetery sign.

Over the years, most of the cemetery plots have been sold, said Vanater, a banker, by profession. But, when those plots were sold, the sales weren’t accompanied by perpetual maintenance plans, and now there are just about 75 plots remaining, she said.

So, Vanater said, “we’re trying to keep an income to be able to maintain the grounds.”

To that end, Bob Jackson, the association’s vice president for administration, spent months researching the idea of purchasing a columbarium — which contains niches for urns containing cremains.

Like Wynn, Jackson feels a personal connection to the traditional burial place in Lutz.

“I’m fourth generation. My grandparents are in that cemetery,” Jackson said.

After months of research, he found a company in Canada that produces the kind of columbarium the association found suitable for the cemetery.

The first columbarium was installed at the cemetery in July. It has 64 niches, which can hold two urns each.

The cemetery has plenty of space to erect additional columbariums, depending on the demand.

Besides providing a source of revenue for the cemetery, the columbarium provides additional capacity to serve people who want Lutz to be their final resting place, said Vanater, who joined the volunteer association at the request of a friend, and expected to pitch in for a year. That was nine years ago.

The association, Wynn said, just wants to keep the community’s cemetery alive.

Lutz Cemetery Association Board Members
Vernon Wynn, president
Bob Jackson, vice president
Mary Lewis, vice president
Kathy Vanater, secretary/treasurer
Judi Wynn
Terry Donovan
John Hodges
Tim Goins

Columbariums
For those interested in having Lutz as their final resting place, there’s another option available.

The Lutz Cemetery Association has added a columbarium that has 64 niches. Each niche can hold two urns each.

The new option provides a source of revenue needed to continue the upkeep of the cemetery grounds, and also expands the capacity of the cemetery to accommodate more people who wish for it to be their final resting place.

Each of the niches in the columbarium holds up to two urns, with the cost for the niches ranging from $1,200 to $1,500, depending on the niche’s location in the columbarium.

Anyone who wishes to purchase a niche should contact Bob Jackson, (813) 928-9412 or Vern Wynn, at (813) 293-0263.

Published December 11, 2019

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

The Recap Presents…

Sponsored Content

ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

June 28, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious homebuilders, is continuing to sell and expand, as a large number … [Read More...] about ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

June 28, 2022 By Kelli Carmack

Toni Hedstrom, a Lutz resident for 13 years and real estate agent for Compass Realty, is always looking to be creative, … [Read More...] about Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

Avalon Park’s 4th of July Celebration will take place on July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Wesley Chapel. There will be a patriotic bake-off, a bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, vendors, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or call 813-783-1515 for more information. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

07/04/2022 – Cake Contest

Entries for the Lutz 4th of July Cake Contest can be dropped off at the Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave., N.W., between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., on July 3; or between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., on July 4. Cakes must be no larger than 9 inches by 13 inches. Cakes or pies that require refrigeration will not be accepted. Categories include: Adult Best Decorated; Adult Best Tasting; Youth Best Decorated (ages 11 to 18); Youth Best Decorated (10 and younger); Youth Best Tasting (11 to 18); Most Patriotic (all ages); Guv’na Favorite; Cupcakes Best Decorated; Best Pie (all ages); and Youth Best Tasting (10 and younger). All entries will be auctioned off after the parade. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Cake Contest

07/04/2022 – Starkey Market’s Fourth

Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., in New Port Richey, will host a 4th of July evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., for the whole family. The event will include food, fireworks and music. Bring your own chairs and blankets. No outside food, beverages or coolers will be allowed. The cost is from $10 to $25. Children ages 6 and younger are free. Limited tickets are available. Visit tinyurl.com/bdh9vjs7. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Starkey Market’s Fourth

07/04/2022 – Tax collector closure

The five Pasco County Tax Collector’s Offices will be closed on July 4, in honor of Independence Day. Offices will reopen on July 5 at 8:30 a.m., for normal business. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Tax collector closure

07/05/2022 – Read with a furry friend

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, in partnership with Pasco County Animal Services, will host a “Tale for Tail Reading Session” on July 5 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for ages 5 and older. Participants can bring their own book or borrow one from the library to practice their reading skills with an adoptable furry friend. Registration and liability waiver are required. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/05/2022 – Read with a furry friend

07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

Weekly Cribbage Club meetings are every Wednesday at 6 p.m., at the Wilderness Lake clubhouse, 21326 Wilderness Lake Blvd. in Land O' Lakes. The club is currently playing informally, but is looking to join the ACC cribbage organization. For more information/questions call 732-322-7103, or email . … [Read More...] about 07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
1 Jul

LCOAL UPDATE: Mike Carballa is Pasco County’s new interim administrator, effective July 30. He has been selected to replace Dan Biles as the county’s new administrator, when Biles’ contract lapses on Oct. 1. Full story: https://lakerlutznews.com/lln/2022/06/103096/

Reply on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Retweet on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Like on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Twitter 1542894556789833730
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
mositampa MOSI @mositampa ·
1 Jul

We continue to celebrate MOSI’s 60th Anniversary through our Social Media Contest. In July, we are asking our friends to submit a funny Science meme or photo. Submissions accepted July 1- July 31. Winning submission gets one free MOSI Pioneer Membership. https://conta.cc/39JPT09

Reply on Twitter 1542817813831745537 Retweet on Twitter 1542817813831745537 4 Like on Twitter 1542817813831745537 8 Twitter 1542817813831745537
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
pascocountypio Pasco County PIO @pascocountypio ·
30 Jun

#HurricaneSeason 2022 TIP: High winds can whip up with or without warning - having the same effect as a strong thunderstorm or tornado. Older homes can be more at risk. To minimize damage, keep up with home repairs. More info http://MyPasco.net #PascoCounty #PascoPrepares

Reply on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Retweet on Twitter 1542568660304142338 2 Like on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Twitter 1542568660304142338
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc
%d bloggers like this: