Pitner Cemetery

Most likely the word "cemetery" is incorrect in this case. While gardening April 16, 1976, the Andrew Anderson family uncovered a broken tombstone in their back yard at 867 North Church Street, Jacksonville. The tombstone was located in an area where an old shed had recently been torn down. There is a strong possibility that the tombstone had been removed from the desecrated Berkey Cemetery for use as part of the shed's foundation. Berkey Cemetery was only one block north, at the southwest corner of North Church and West Walnut Streets. Pitner family burials are to be found in the extreme east end of Jacksonville East Cemetery, including the grave of Michael F. Pitner, son of Montgomery and Jane Pitner. The boy drowned Aug. 28, 1832 at the age of 13 years 5 months and 15 days.