Trees are uprooted, headstones knocked over and urns are upended in the historic Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven.
The fierce winds from thunderstorms Friday morning caused extensive damage in the nearly 150 year old cemetery.
“Completely devastating,” said Sherri Huntington when she arrived to check her mother’s grave. “Unbelievable.”
After the storm many visitors came to the cemetery to make sure the grave for their love ones were intact.
“I’m thankful my in laws places are fine,” said George Vanderweide after a graveside inspection. “I’m sorry for anyone who has had stones damaged.”
“People put their loved ones here to be treasured,” said resident Susan Harper. “To find their grave damaged or overturned has to be heartbreaking.”
The cemetery dates back to the late 1800’s, and many prominent Grand Haven citizens are buried there.
“We try to keep the cemetery a beautiful place,” says Grand Haven City Councilman Dennis Scott. “The damage is devastating to the community and the city workers who keep this place up so nice. It is going to take a little while to get it back in shape again.”
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