© 2003-2017 by David K. & Leona L. Gustafson


Obetz (aka Zion's Lutheran) Cemetery
Obetz, Hamilton Township,
Franklin County, Ohio

Obetz (aka Lutheran) Cemetery, Obetz, Madison Township, Franklin County, OH

Gravestone Photographs

NOTE:  This site is not affiliated with Obetz Cemetery in any way.

A couple of Ohio cemetery books tell us that Obetz Cemetery was established in 1868 at the site of Zion's Evangelical Luthean Church.  And the cemetery predates the present church building, which was built in 1873.  However, the sexton says that the cemetery was actually established in 1843 and that several interments were made long before that, "when the church was just a little log cabin." In 1962 the church was rededicated as Obetz Christian Church and is still in use, as is the cemetery.  The cemetery is located on the south side of Groveport Road, a little less than half mile north of I-270.  It is very well cared for.

GPS Coordinates:
DEC - Latitude = 39.8747860 Longitude = -82.9476807
DMS - Latitude = 395229N Longitude = 0825652W

Aerial Photo of Cemetery,
Spring 2004

Some photos contributed by:
Gerald Alspaugh, (ga)
Joe Fleshman, (jf)
Regina Gray, (rg) 		Mary Ann Klein, (mak)
Joyce Robinson, (jr)

Joe Fleshman's complete online Obtez Cemetery Database,
courtesy of Ernest Root who has been the caretaker since 1969.
If you would like to have photographs of any of the tombstones, send a message to Leona at

Headstones: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | HOME

(Click on the underlined name to view the tombstone photograph)
NOTE:  Some high resolution photos will be included in order to show detail more clearly. Those photographs will be accompanied with their size (KB) as they may take extra time to download to your computer.

  • Adkins, Father, Milton J., 1892-19[74] and Mother, Bessie (Cline). 1895-1971 (rg)
    • Milton J. Adkins was born 23 Feb 1892, died 19 May 1974
    • Bessie (Cline) Adkins was born 14 Apr 1895, died 4 Apr 1961
  • Abahazie
    • Son, Alex, Dec 23, 1909-March 23, 1967 (jr)
    • Father, Sandy A., Dec 5, 1884-Dec 30, 1977 and Mother, Helen, Jan 27, 1899-May 15, 1977 (jr)
  • Allen, James Leroy M., Ohio, PCF US Army, May 29, 1936-March 19, 1967 (Traditional stone) (jf)
  • Barch
    • John, Sept 19, 1838-Mar 26, 1910 (mak)
    • John F., 1879-1946 (mak)
  • Barstch [Bartsch?], Christian, May 6, 1836-Oct 4, 1906 and Mary, his wife, Dec 16, 1852-Jan 21, 1881 (mak)
  • Bartsch
    • Jacob, Sept 17, 1805-Sept 3, 1865, aged 59y 11m 16d (mak)
    • Sophia C., Nov 8, 1804-Apr 9, 1868, aged 76y 5m 1d (mak)
      • NOTE: Either the age or the dates are incorrect.
  • Bateman, William E., Kentucky, PVT US Army, World War I, Aug 24, 1895-Dec 2, 1967 (jf)
  • Bayes
    • James O., Ohio, PFC 1505 Base Unit AAF, World War II, Apr 10, 1920-Aug 19, 1966 (Traditional stone)
    • Orville. TEC 5 US Army, World War II, Oct 27, 1913-Feb 29, 1992
  • Bernard Iva, obituary only, no photo.
  • Bennett, Father, Pearl, 1875-1923 and Mother, Mary, 1873-1928 [Section 10]
  • Bishop, Kathleen F., March 12, 1928- Sept 22, 2004 (Obituary) (ga)
    • Kathleen Bishop is the daughter of Walter and Ruth Steele Johnston
  • Boyer, Infant Tracy, 1968 [Section 5]
  • Brookover
  • Brooks, Audrey Jane, 1921-1922 [Secton 10 Lot 15]
  • Burkett
  • Earhart
    • Adam, died Jan 2 AD 1844, aged 60 years 8 mo & 26 days
      • Veteran of the War of 1812
    • Adeline, died Jan 20, 1842, aged 23 (or 25) years 1 mo & 11 days (Detail 135KB)
    • Erected to the memory of John, born 1749, Berks Co., Pa., died 1848, Franklin Co. O., aged 99 years 1 mo 10 ds -- He served in the American Revolutionary War as a private soldier in the 10th Pennsylvania Continental Line
  • Edwards, Earl E., 1906-1971 and Vivian E., 1910-1998 (jf)
  • Eisnnicher, Daughter, Julia Mayjean, 1929-1952 [Section 13] (jf)
  • Elkins, Father, William I., July 11, 1905-April 21, 1970 and Mother, Nannie M., Feb 25, 1910-Aug 13, 1978 (jf)
  • Eseman, Clarence E., Jr., Oct 23, 1929-May 21, 1994, married May 12, 1949, Mable E. (Scarberry), Jan 29, 1930-Aug 20, 1990 (Whole stone) (mak)
  • Estep
  • Farley, Willard, 1933-1968 (jf)
  • Fennesy
  • Fisher, Lee A., Nov 13, 1905-July 23, 1976 and Catharine G., May 10, 1911-June 27, 1995
    • Her full name: Catherine Grace Bollie Fisher
  • Flennikin, In memory of Rebecca Jane, died Aug 13th 1841, aged 16 years, 5 mo & 19 d (Detail 81KB) -- Additional Inscription:   Remember youth as you pass by; As you are now so once was I; As I am now so you must be; Prepare for death and follow me.
  • Flowers (Contact Karen Flowers, )
  • Foor (Contact: Shelly, )
    • James M. (Obituary; no photo)
    • John (Funeral notice; no photo)
  • Forst, Marjorie M., Aug 4, 1923-Nov 20, 1997 [Section 13] (jf)
  • Freeman, John C., Mar 18, 1921-Dec 6, 1990 and Edith L., Aug 31, 1931-[blank] (mak)
  • French, Kenneth W., Feb 4, 1952-July 7, 1991 [Section 13] (jf)
  • Fultz, Albery S., 1859-1918 and Elizabeth, his wife, 1857-1940, Woodmen of the World (jr)
  • Galloway, Martha Ann, died 14 Nov 1925 (Obituary; no photo)
  • Gamwell, Robert, 1893-1917, Woodmen of the World
  • Garrett, Paul H., Sep 10, 1921-Nov 14, 1944 (Funeral Notice; no photo)
  • Gordon, Herbert H., SGT US ARMY, Korea - Vietnam, 1930-1975
  • Goerlitz, Rachel, died Dec 1980 (Obituary; no photo)
  • Gray, Father, William, 1877-1966 and Mother, Rebecca J., 1870-1943 (rg)
  • Grooms, John B., Nov 21, 1919-July 6, 1976 and Mildred L., Nov 14, 1921-Apr 10, 2006 (rg)
  • Gruber, Frederic, died June 30, 1879, aged 33 yrs 5 mos & 16 days (Whole stone) (jf)
  • Hall, Father, Emery, 1884-1973 (jf)
  • Hamilton, Dewey J., died 22 Jan 1956 (Obituary; no stone) (Contact Jim Parker, )
  • Harp, Charles E., died 11 July 1962 (Obituary; no stone) [Section 14 Lot 122 Space 1] (Contact Shirley Larsen, )
  • Heil, Irma Cooperider, 1886-1981
  • Helsel
    • Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel & Mary, died Dec 20, 1836, aged 17 y 4 mo & 3 days (Detail) -- Additional Inscription:  Weep not my dearest friends; Nor shed your tears in vain; My face you'll see no more, Till call'd to arise again.
    • John, died July 21, 1843, aged 35 y 10 m 28 d and Catharine, wife of John, died Feb 14, 1901, aged 96 y 5 m 21 d (Whole stone)
      • John, died July 21, 1843, aged 35 years 10 months 23 days (original stone)
    • Milton, son of P & B, died May 12, 1828, aged 2 ms 4 ds (High resolution 184kb) (jf)
    • Nancy, wife of John, died Dec 29, 1845, aged 36 yrs 11 mo 21 ds
    • In memory of Phillip, born in York Co, State of Pennsylvainia,April 14th AD 1761 & departed this life March 26th AD 1838 (Detail)
  • Hickman, Laura A., 1890-1965 [Section 16] (jr)
  • Hill
  • Hinkle
    • Son, Curtis, 1943-1967; Mother, Ella M., 1926-[blank]; and Father, Earl, 1922-1980 (jf)
    • Father, Darryl L., Oct 10, 1964-Dec 24, 1988; Daughter, Meghan E., May 18, 1988-Dec 24, 1988; and Mother, Shelley R., July 31, 1965-Dec 24, 1988 (jr)
  • Humphrey
  • Ivan, Florence L., Feb 9, 1914-Sept 29, 1969 [Section 16] (jr)
  • Laff
  • Lambert, George, Apr 26, 1916-[blank] and Beulah B. (Blake), Oct 15, 1915-May 22, 1999 (mak)
  • Lawson, Joseph, 1858-1917, Linwood Camp No. 177, Woodmen of the World
  • Leach, Charles Monroe, Ohio, Pvt Field Artillery, World War I, Sept 1, 1889-Nov 29, 1949 [Section 13] (jf)
  • Lincoln
  • Lindsay (Contact Phyllis Marsh, )
  • Lindsey (Contact Phyllis Marsh, )
    • Arthur C., Apr 7, 1897-Jan 10, 1977 and Esta M., Mar 11, 1902-Apr 21-1976 [Section 17 Lot 69 Space 4]
    • Harold A., 1904-1968 and Margean, 1907-1982 [Section 16 Lot 137 Spaces 1 & 2]
  • Lisle
    • Benjamin F., 1848-1931 and Mary E. his wife, 1860-1908 (mak)
    • Clara A., 1893-1975 (mak)
      • Clara Amelia Lisle, born 26 May 1893, died 6 Sep 1975
    • James, died Jan 4, 1845, aged 56 yrs 9 mo 4 ds (High Resolution 348KB)
        Note: If the High Resolution photo times out before it downloads, write to Leona at and I will email it to you.
    • Mary, 1886-1962 and Elery H., 1882-1954 (mak)
    • Naomi, 1906-1993 (mak)
    • Robert J., 1855-1910 (mak)
    • Father, Samuel H., 1868-1925 and Mother, Christine, 1872-1956 (mak)
    • Baby, Silvon, [son of Samuel H. & Christne], Jun 2, 1892-Aug 17, 1892 (mak)
  • Loggie
  • Marcum, Son, Bobby Lee, December 29, 1951-October 29, 1990 and Dad, John , Jr., February 10, 1929-October 29, 1990 (Whole stone)
  • Markley, In memory of Sarah, wife of John, who died Aug 27th 1833, aged 38 years 1 mo & 27 days (Detail 70KB) (Contact: Gary James, )
  • Matthews, Mom, Orpha, 1904-1982 (jf)
  • McCall, Daughter, Rosemary, 1932-1934
  • McMannis, Donald E., Oct 5, 1919-Sept 13, 1991 and Evelyn C., July 6, 1922-March 24, 2008 (Portrait on back)
  • Michael, Son, Reverend, Cecil, 1904-1934
    (Contact Ryan Hawk, and Sue Kramer, )
    • Son of John & Vida Michael(s)
  • Michaels, Vida, 1882-1941
    (Contact Ryan Hawk, and Sue Kramer, )
  • Millar, Father, John D., 1871-1942 and Mother, Gertie F., 1873-1944 (mak)
    • John Decker Millar, born 11 Oct 1871, died 2 Sep 1942
    • Gertrude Florence "Gertie" (Rohr) Millar, daughter of William H. & Sarah D. Rohr, born in 1873, died 20 Sep 1944
  • Miller
  • Monroe, John W., 1912-1974 and Violet C., 1922-1978 (Whole Stone) [Section 13] (jf)
  • Moore, Jackie Remley, July 20, 1943-March 8, 1998 (mak)
  • Mounts
  • Murray, Buster, 1904-1974 and Girttie Mae, 1898-1988 [Section 13] (jf)
  • Musselman, Isaac, Apr 21, 1861-June 20, 1905; Catherine A. his wife, May 2, 1863-Mar 8, 1932; and Walter, their son, Oct 3, 1893-Apr 14, 1895 (mak)
  • Nafzger, James Monroe, obituary only, no photo.
  • Northrup, Frederick B. (See Rohr)
  • Obetze, Francis M., son of A G & Mary A, died Oct 23, 1852, aged 3 mo 3 days
  • O'Neil, Daughter, Jessie M., 1915-1975
  • Orange, Alfred Eugene, 1932-1966 (jf)
  • Osborne (Contact Damian Rippberger, )
  • Oty, Guy E., Nov 30, 1881-Mar 16, 1968 (jf)
  • Parkison, Tracy A., July 27, 1963-June 4, 2006
  • Perry, Father, James H., 1908-1966 and Mother, Grace M., 1912-[blank] (jf)
  • Pestel, Edward, Sept 15, 1867-Nov 7, 1912 and Ida A., his wife, Dec 18, 1884-Oct 25, 1941 (jr)
  • Pruitt, Donald E., Dec 21, 1949-April 13, 1967 (Sandy, )
  • Ramey, Fred, July 13, 1905-July 23, 1977 and Anna, July 29, 1905-Dec 29, 1987
  • Raver, Effie R., Aug 7, 1921-Sept 4, 1995
  • Ray, Roy V., died 28 Jan 1960 (Obituary; no photo)
  • Rice, Brother, Chester M., Nov 17, 1912-Apr 14, 1970 (jf)
  • Riedmiller, John E., 1903-1987 and Ruth L. (Rohr), 1903-1958 (mak)
  • Rittenhouse, Franklin, Sr.,m 1915-1991 and Betty J., 1921-2002 [Section 13] (jf)
  • Robinson, Charles E., June 16, 1936-Dec 24, 2002 (Obituary) and Maxine, July 14, 1945-Blank
  • Rohr
    • Absalom, Jan 18, 1838-April 10, 1889 and Rhoda Loomis his wife, March 19, 1836-Sept 11, 1917 (mak)
    • Charles, Mar 14, 1816-Feb 11, 1903 and Mary his wife, Feb 24, 1819-Jan 5, 1896 (mak)
    • Cora M., 1871-1938 and John G., 1856-1938 (mak)
    • Elizabeth, wife of Wm & dau of M & O Wolf, born in Pendleton Co., Va, died Feb 8, 1868, aged 56 yrs 7 mo 17 ds (mak)
    • Everett, 1877-19__ (mak)
      • Everett Rohr, son of William H. & Sarah, died 27 May 1952
    • Hannah E., Nov 19, 1845-July 28, 1909 (mak)
    • Harry Waldo, Oct 15, 1870-Dec 22, 1890; Ellis Todd, Feb 1, 18775-Dec 6, 1900; and Frederick B. Northrup, Oct 2, 1857-Apr 9, 1910 (Whole stone) (mak)
    • Infant son of Wm S & Mary, April 14, 1896-April 18, 1896 (mak)
    • Lewis A., Mar 17, 1851-Mar 27, 1926 (mak)
    • Mother, Mary C., 1872-1952 and Father, William S., 1870-1944 (mak)
      • William Smith Rohr, son of William H. & Sarah D. Rohr, born in 1870, died 2 Apr 1942; married Mary C. Snyder who was born in 1872, died about 10 Oct 1952
    • Maude, 1876-19__ (mak)
      • Maude Rohr died 9 Feb 1968
    • Phoebe C., Nov 25, 1841-Feb 21, 1931 (mak)
    • William H., 1844-1917 and Sarah D. his wife, 1850-1942 (mak)
  • Romine, William H., June 5, 194?-[blank] and Barbara M., Nov 19, 1946-Mar 30, 2002 (mak)
  • Ross, Mother, Alline, Feb 5, 1911-Jan 18, 1997 [Section 13] (jf)
  • Ryan, John E., Dec 8, 1955-Jan 1, 1994, married June 16, 1992, Teresa A., Feb 14, 1967-[blank]
  • Scarberry, Connie R., 1962-1993
  • Schleppi
  • Schwartz
    • Anna M., died 14 Feb 1934 (Obituary; no photo)
    • Louis H., died 10 Apr 1940 (Obituary; no photo)
  • Schweis, Mother, Annie, 1922-1925 [Section 16 Lot 12] (jr)
  • Scott
    • Clara M., wife of Walter, Sept 5, 1891-Aug 21, 1976, OES [Single section 3, Space 1008]
    • Walter, New York, SEA US Navy, Feb 10, 1881-Aug 28, 1950 [Single section 3, Space 1009] (jf)
  • Seidle, Clyde R., Sr., Sept 10, 1921-Dec 14, 1999, married Dec 30, 1950, Alice M., Dec 30, 1930-[blank] (mak)
  • Senter
    • O. J., son of R L & Mary, 1877-1895
    • Archimedes M., Oct 22, 1844-Sept 13, 1910 and [Sarah] Elizabeth Becker, June 20, 1849-Nov 10, 1931
      • Archimedes Melvo, son of Socrates S. and Susannah (Schleich) Senter
    • Mother, Mary E. (Kooken), wife of R. L., 1851-1920
    • Father, Rossolovo L., 1849-1935
      • Rossolovo LeGrande Senter, born 24 Apr 1849, died 26 Apr 1935, son of Socrates S. and Susannah (Schleich) Senter
  • Shadwell, Anna Cremeans, Mar 3, 1927-May 2, 1951, Bought by Mother (Portrait close-up; see also Cremeans) [Section 13] (jf)
  • Sharp, Stephen A., obituary only, no photo.
  • Sheets, Martha, 1894-1990 and Claude, 1894-1985 (Whole stone) (jf)
  • Shinn
  • Shoemaker, George W., Aug 29, 1857-Jan 26, 1949 and Mary A., Oct 22, 1860-Sept 15, 1922 (jf)
  • Shofe (See Stimmel)
  • Sims, Ada, entombed in mausoleum, 16 Feb 1946 (Funeral Notice)
  • Six, Ralph E., S1 US Navy, World War II, Jul 10, 1928-Sep 13, 1992 Obituary (mak)
  • Smales, Dad, Haldor J., Dec 12, 1915-Sept 13, 1985 and Mom, Goldie M., July 26, 1920-May 9, 1987 (jr)
  • Smith, Clyne B., May 10, 1921-Dec 9, 1970 and Dorothy L., April 15, 1925-Dec 6, 1997
    • Clyne B., Ohio, S SGT 317 TRP CARR GP AF, World War II - Korea
  • Snyder, Alfred L., 1880-1938 and Murtie F., wife of Alfred L., 1885-1915 (jr)
  • Spangler, Adam S., July 14, 1873-Apr 7, 1915 and Emma D., Apr 12, 1882-July 20, 1933, Woodmen of the World
  • Spencer, William A., Ohio, T SGT, 596 BOMB SQ AAF, World War II, Aug 20, 1923-March 15, 1969 (Traditional stone) (jf)
  • Stanford, Carl F., Mar 24, 1904-Oct 6, 1987, married Oct 3, 1968, Susie L., Dec 17, 1896-Feb 25, 1993 (rg)
    • Grandmother of Dr. D. D. Gray, Jr., Susan Lucinda YOUNG, married four times: 1st Daniel Wesley BARTRAM, August 4, 1915; 2nd George Edward LEWIS, April 1, 1924; 3rd George Thomas KEARNS, May 5, 1947; 4th Carl F. STANFORD
  • Stimmel
  • Stimpfle
  • Stone, Daniel L., Aug 28, 1949-Mar 8, 2008
  • Strausbaugh, Lafayette C., died 4 Dec 1940 (Obituary; no photo)
  • Stukey, Samuel, died 16 Apr 1934 (Obituary; no photo)
  • Stutz, Father, Joseph C., 1873-1952 and Mother, Ella, 1879-1959 (mak)
  • Such, Louis, 1859-1918 (Death Certificate) and Minnie C., his wife, 1862-1914 (Death Certificate), Woodmen of the World (Contact Beverly Stamets, )
  • Thacker, Joseph, Ohio, PVT 4 ANTI ACFT SECTOR, World War I, Sept 30, 1888-June 30, 1936
  • Thomas
    • Carl R., US Army, Korea, Jan 23, 1933-Jun 17, 1995 [Section 13] (jf)
    • George D., obituary only, no photo.
  • Toops
  • Trott, Jennie L. Foor, died 3 Nov 1973 (Obituary; no photo)
  • Upton, Son, Douglas G., June 2, 1953-March 9, 1972 (jf)
  • Walker, William Reese, PVT US Army, World War I, May 5, 1894-Dec 16, 1986 (mak)
  • Ward, Herman G. (Nick), Aug 10, 1962-July 8, 1997 (Obituary)
  • Watson
  • Watts
  • Weatherington
    • Erected to the memory of John, born June 23, 1755, died in the year 1831 and Margaret, consort of John, Oct 24, 1759-Sept 29, 1828
  • Wert, Jacob B, born in the state of Pa, Aug 11, 1804, died Oct 11, 1850 (Whole stone) [Section 13] (jf)
  • White, Mary Anna (Lindsay), Nov 7, 1926-Mar 21, 1998 (jr) (Contact Phyllis Marsh, )
  • Whittredge, Clark E., Feb 27, 1932-8 Feb 1989 (Obituary)
    • Scott H. please contact me (); my response to your Email was returned as undeliverable.
  • Wilkins, William M., 1860-1918, Woodmen of the World
  • Williams
  • Woodard, Father, William Lee, Feb 22, 1920-[blank] and Mother, Margaret Ruth, Aug 28, 1920-Mar 31, 1969 (Whole stone) (jf)
  • Workman, Florence, 1890-1968 (jf)
  • Zimmer
  • Zimmerman, Mom, Anna, Aug 5, 1889-Oct 10, 1974 (jf)
  • Zwayer, Frank M., died 1 May 1978 (Obituary; no photo)

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