History of St. John's Cemetery

Founding of the Cemetery 1909-1910

The cemetery was established through the generosity and community spirit of early settlers who recognized the need for a local burial ground for valley residents and families.

According to a 2003 narrative recorded by longtime caretaker John “Jack” Haskey, the origins of St. John’s Cemetery began in 1909 when Mrs. Charles McAllister donated approximately three acres of land for use as a community cemetery. Mrs. McAllister, a widow who owned property extending to the Wishkah River, was well known in the valley for hosting large Sunday chicken dinners for family and community members.

The story passed down through the community tells that the cemetery was established so that a young infant boy, Casimer Szczpanski (Shapspanski), whose family could not afford a burial, would have a proper resting place. Mrs. McAllister’s only condition for the land donation was that those buried at St. John’s Cemetery must have affiliations with the Wishkah Valley community.

The cemetery was named “St. John’s” because a Catholic church bearing that name existed in the community at the time.

Research completed in February 2007 by Kay Busz, then Treasurer of St. John’s Cemetery, uncovered historical land records at Pacific Title Company in Montesano showing that the cemetery property was formally donated on February 18, 1910, by Miecystow Gorski and his wife Franciska Gorski to the “Saint John Cemetery Association,” to be known as St. John’s Cemetery. The deed was officially filed in March 1910. Trustees named in the document included M. Gorski, Mike Chwesciek (Fosjack), and Marion Compton of Wishkah, Washington.

Early Caretakers and Community Service

Among the earliest caretakers of the cemetery were Felix Walczyk and Alex Gregorcewicz, whose family name was later shortened to Gregor. Alex’s young son Henry assisted with the work as a boy. In the early years, cemetery maintenance was entirely manual. Grass among the graves was cut using handheld scythes, and graves were dug by hand.

Alex Gregor also built coffins for many of the burials using cedar trees harvested from his land in the upper Wishkah Valley. He milled the lumber himself and handcrafted caskets for local families during a time when resources were limited and neighbors relied heavily upon one another.

As Henry Gregor grew older and married his wife Vera, he continued caring for the cemetery while living on the family homestead. Henry volunteered his time mowing and maintaining the grounds, while Vera Gregor served as the cemetery treasurer. In later years, John “Jack” Haskey assisted Henry with maintenance duties, and Jack’s wife, Marion Haskey, became the cemetery secretary.

Following Henry Gregor’s death in 1988, Jack Haskey assumed responsibility as caretaker of the cemetery. Eventually, Art Cobain was hired to handle the opening and closing of graves. After Art’s death in 1990, Martha Bodnar took over those responsibilities while also performing much of the cemetery mowing and maintenance. In 2005, after Martha was appointed Board Member at Large, Chad Mittleider assumed responsibility for opening and closing gravesites at St. John’s Cemetery.

Historical Significance

For many years, a discrepancy existed regarding the cemetery’s founding date. The sign displayed at the cemetery listed the date as 1914. Historical research later clarified that 1914 referred to the year the original cross was erected at the cemetery, while the cemetery itself had actually been established beginning in 1909, with the formal land transfer recorded in 1910.

Continuing Stewardship

St. John’s Cemetery continues to serve families with Wishkah Valley affiliations, honoring the vision established by its founders more than a century ago. The cemetery remains a place of remembrance, history, and community pride for generations of valley residents.

In 2023, Dee Dee Johnson was elected President of St. John’s Cemetery Association, and Judi Carter was elected Treasurer and Secretary, continuing the long tradition of volunteer leadership and stewardship that has preserved the cemetery for over 100 years.