Chowchilla Cemetery, Madera County, CA

Submitted by Denise Gordon 25 Nov 2007

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The Chowchilla Cemetery

The Chowchilla Cemetery was purchased on May 10, 1946 from Luther and Vivian Julian for the 
sum of $6000.00 for twenty acres.

The Cemetery commenced on Jan 18, 1945 and the first meeting was held on Jan. 29, 1945.  
The Board of Directors were: Ed Clendennen, Paul Schroeder, and Albert H. Veith.

The terms were for four years.

The first superintendent was C.K. Ball who was hired for a part time position and was paid $125.00 
per month.  Full time pay was $250.00.

The sprinkling system was put in by the White Appliance System of Chowchilla.  The sprinkling system 
was started on January 10, 1947 and the well was started on February 17, 1947 by Merrill Pumps.
Messrs. Lake and Hastrup were the architects for the Brick Building.  They were from Fresno, CA.  
The cost for this building was $6000.00.  On April 11, 1947 a small plot was completed with sprinkler 
systems.  On August 22, 1947 there was a pay raise to $1.00 per hour for the laborer who helped 
Mr. Ball.  (This was Mr. Batey)

In January 1948 Area C and D were completed and piped.  “Jack” Merrill of Merrill Pump built the flag 
pole and on March 12, 1948 the N.J. Haley Company installed the fence around the cemetery at the 
cost of $4,692.33.

The Women’s Community Country Club donated the loud speaker system and record player.  Mr. Ball 
constructed the small steeple on top of the brick building.

On October 1, 1950 Ed Clendennen took over being Superintendent as Mr. Ball passed away.  The first 
burial was Waldo Wetter.  His date of death was January 22, 1947 and date of burial was July 25,1947.  
(There was no reason as to the time between the two dates.  The second burial was Richard C. Brown. 
 He was buried on October 25, 1947.  Both Mr. Wetter and Mr. Brown were buried in Area C.


First Interments:

Wetter, Waldo; 32 yr. 8 mo. 28 da.; Male, Single, White
     Date of Death: Jan 22, 1947 in Merced
     Cause of Death: Internal hemorrhage of stomach
     Location: Area C, Block 21, Site 10
     Date of Interment: July 25, 1947
     Funeral Director: Jay Funeral Home
     Lot Owner: Faye Wetter
     Interment No. 1

Brown, Richard C.    23 yr. 2 mo. 21 da.   Male, Single, White
     Date of Birth:  Sept. 17, 1918  at Fresno, Calif.
     Date of Death:  Dec. 7, 1941  at Honolulu
     Cause of Death:  In Active Service of U.S. Navy. He died in the line of duty, during an attack by 
     the Japanese upon Pearl Harbor.
     Funeral Director:  Joseph Mashburn
     Name of Lot Owner:  Anne Kendall
     Date of Interment:  October 25, 1947
     Location:  Area C, Block 37, Site 2
     Interment No. 2