Cemetery Exhibit | Grover Center

Written in Stone:

The Stories of Shelby County Cemeteries

Inspiration

This exhibit is inspired by S. Gene Niebel (1941-2021) a passionate yet unassuming Shelby County farmer who deeply loved his family.

Gene Niebel’s headstone at Mt. Auburn Cemetery reflects his life and passions. He deeply loved his wife, Kathy, Wedding rings on their headstone depicts what was on their actual rings. His son and stepdaughters were also very important to him. Gene enjoyed golfing with Kathy and midget car racing. You may even see a hint of maple trees on the golf course, representing his enthusiasm for making maple syrup.

When Gene passed in 2021, he left a gift to the Grover Center: Museum and Historical, so stories can continue to be told. His gift allowed us to start an endowment fund at the Blue River Community Foundation for the future.

Shelby County Cemeteries

Shelby County is home to 142 known cemeteries, ranging from small family plots to church and community burial grounds. Together, they reflect generations of settlement, faith, and remembrance.

In this exhibit you will find a historic map that documents all 142 known cemeteries in Shelby County, each marked by a colored pin corresponding to its location. From small family burial grounds to church and community cemeteries, the map reveals how places of remembrance are woven across the landscape.

Visitors are invited to explore the map to locate cemeteries connected to their own families, communities, or areas of interest. Together, these points form a powerful visual record—showing not only where people are buried, but how deeply memory and history are rooted throughout the county.

Remembering the People

World War I Soldiers

Paul Cross, George Gaines, and Ernest Fisher were Shelby County men who served during World War I. After the war, their remains were returned home in 1921, where they were laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery. Their flag-draped funerals drew large crowds, reflecting a community united in grief, honor, and remembrance. Their graves remain lasting markers of service and sacrifice.ai

Gene Niebel

S. Gene Niebel (1941–2021) was a quiet but deeply devoted member of the Shelby County community. A farmer, husband, and stepfather, Gene believed that care for family, land, and history mattered. His life reflects how ordinary people leave lasting marks through love, commitment, and service. His story—like so many others—is now preserved in stone.

Chloe Flynn

Chloe Flynn was born in Virginia and, as a young girl, was taken captive by the Shawnee before later being located by frontiersman Daniel Boone, who helped negotiate her release. She eventually settled in Shelby County, where she married John Ballard at age sixteen. Though her headstone is modest, Chloe’s life reflects the resilience and complexity of early frontier experiences.

Thomas Hobbs

Thomas Hobbs was a longtime blacksmith in Norristown, Indiana, and a respected member of the town’s African American community. For more than thirty years, he worked at the forge, shaping the tools and hardware that supported daily life. He died on May 1, 1919, and was laid to rest the following day alongside his brother William in a rare double funeral.

Mourning & Memory

Mourning Clothing

Clothing worn to publicly express grief and loss, reflecting social traditions of mourning.

Hair Wreaths

Intricate memorials made from the hair of loved ones, symbolizing remembrance and connection.

Pump Organ

An instrument commonly used in funeral services and memorial gatherings.

Death, Care, and Craft

This part of the exhibit explores the practical and symbolic aspects of burial and remembrance. Visitors will learn about historical funeral practices, the materials used in burial, and how cemeteries are cared for over time.

Embalming equipment
Caskets
Parts of a grave and headstone
Cemetery symbols and their meanings
How to care for and preserve headstones

Sacred Spaces

Sacred spaces are places where land, memory, and meaning come together. For Native American cultures, mounds and ceremonial landscapes were not simply geographic features, but sites of burial, ceremony, and connection to ancestors. These spaces reflect deep spiritual beliefs and social traditions that shaped community life for generations. Today, they stand as powerful reminders of the people who came before and the responsibility to honor and protect their legacy.

This exhibit explores local sacred sites, the cultures that built them, and the different types of burial mounds, offering a deeper understanding of their history and significance.