Oak Hill Cemetery Preservation Society

Many Door Prizes available that you can win by just filling out a ticket for attending our Oak Hill Chapel/Cemetery Open House Bake Sale.
Many free Meals from Citrus Cafe and Park City plus giftware items or DVD's.
My good friend Cheryl Licary will again be playing a keyboard at Chapel on 5/25/24 Saturday.

Oak Hill Chapel/Cemetery Open House Bake Sale
Update: Own a piece of Oak Hill Chapel History 125 years old!
From the beginning of Chapel restoration we found parts of stained glass windows in basement. This item was repainted and fired in a kiln and made into a new window, this original piece I kept until now I framed it in zinc channel added hooks an chains plus engraved the year 1899 Oak Hill Chapel.
Now offered in a Silent Auction tomorrow at the open house.
Original Hand Painted Medallion,
"CROSS IN CROWN" 12" Dia.

More stained glass products donated by 1Glass Impressions for Silent Auctions and door prizes at Saturday's 5/25/24 Open House Bake Sale.
2 smaller stained glass windows with chains for hanging.
Also Mission Style Lantern fired glass designs of 4 different butterflies, or Chapel designs fired on side panels. Solid African Mahogany base electric or candle.

https://youtu.be/wcWtemrNZog?si=HbspKdWgKT4AzjHq

Oak Hill Chapel Open House 2024 Open House May 25, 2024

https://youtu.be/xN2X1gARuVs

Hoping to see all that view this page for the upcoming Oak Hill Chapel Christmas Open House and Bake Sale.
On Saturday Dec. 16th, 2023, starting at 11:00 am to 2:00 pm located at the historical Restored Chapel in the Oak Hill Cemetery, 1725 N. Washington St, Janesville, WI.
Stained glass door prizes and Chapel giftware.
https://youtu.be/xN2X1gARuVs

Oak Hill Chapel Christmas Open House Bake Sale.
Dec. 16th, 2023
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Many Free Door Prizes!

We the Friends of Oak Hill Chapel and members of Oak Hill Preservation Society that hosted the Chapel Open House and Bake Sale on Saturday 5/27/23 was a great success and we would like to thank all that attending.
The winner of the antique stained glass window donated by 1Glass Impressions was Sue McGinniss shown with Mac in 1st photo.
A great selection of Bake goods baked by Marni's custom hand decorated cookies and Dale's brownie's with others that donated plus Hailey's custom cup cakes.
Also before and after results of Headstone cleaning in pictures a great display for all to view.
Thanks again everyone.

After Richard Snyder designed and fabricated the steel, 1st piece of 1/4" thick X 1 1/2" wide X 34" long, 2 nd piece 1/4" X 1 1/2" X 13" X 4 piece each size gate supports machinig on drill press making bends and a 180 degree twist on the short pieces done by heating with torch in my shop.
Yesterday 5/26/23 Friday we leveled and plumed iron Gates onsite at Oak Hill Cemetery entrance.
In back of concrete slabs we poured last Fall with help from City workers. These custom designed steel supports worked out perfectly! Drilled holes in ends of Gates added stainless steel bolts an SS lock nuts then drill holes in concrete for SS bolts to be anchored into cement.
Now these antique Gates are installed again at Oak Hill Cemetery for many years to come!
Thanks to Dale, Paul and Harrison.

Working on original Gates from Oak Hill Cemetery that were removed years ago. Our Friends of Oak Hill Chapel group received funds from donations and group members for reworking Gates for displaying at front entrance off Washington street into Cemetery.
Last Fall we added the two concrete slabs for gates display.
Today we worked with City worker Wayne he cut off old hinges and welded on steel rods at each end that will help in securing Gates in place.
These two wrought iron Gates are over 9 feet long X 5 feet tall.
These are the pictures from this morning in the many steps of rework. Richard and Dale were onsite helping Wayne in this process.
These gates will be installed next week.
That Date and Time will be listed soon.
Photo 6 a bent area fixed with truck weight now straightened photo 7
Photo 8 is moving gates by City truck photo 9 gates moved to front of entrance by display location

Hello Friends,
Just created a special Face Book Page.
All about Gerald "Dad" Braisher he was the Packers Equipment Manager for 20 years under 5 head coaches.
He was also part creator of the world-famous "G" logo first placed on Packers helmets in 1961.
Dad Braisher died in July 1982 he was 81.
Dad is buried in Janesville with his parents here at Oak Hill Cemetery and his headstone has been detailed with the Packer helmet with the "G" logo painted in the true colors as original.
Scan new QR Code that is linked to his page'

Happy winner of antique Victorian Jeweled Leaded stained glass window. From Oak Hill Chapel Christmas Open House & Bake Sale drawing.
As well as 15 Door Prize winners for free meals that I mailed out.
Meals donated by Citrus Cafe and Park City Restaurant.
1Glass Impressions/Richard Snyder donated the antique window.
This Chapel Open House Bake Sale was a great Success.
Thank you everyone!

On Sunday 10/2/22 Richard Snyder and Dale Nobeinsky worked up at Oak Hill Chapel and Cemetery.
We built last wall for the new slab north of chapel road.
This new slab is where future rented porti potty can be placed off road which is out of way for vehicles when chapel is used for services.
The slab needed the 3 walls because of locations built into hill.
The walls are 6+" above ground level.
We also built two other wood forms for slabs that will display the original wrought iron Gates at entrance to cemetery at Washington Street.
Hoping to pour concrete in next couple weeks.

Janesville's Oak Hill Cemetery has a special connection to the Green Bay Packers!
Very few people know of this important man by the nick name Gerald "Dad" Braisher he Designed the "G" Logo.
New group member Tom Presny has been working on recognizing this man and we the group will be fund raising for a Bronze Plaque that will be custom made and on display in the Oak Hill Cetemery by the Headstone.
Attached is a Handout that tells all about "Dad" Braisher as well as information of making a donation and where to send it.

Another step closer in the construction projects at Janesville Oak Hill Cemetery and Chapel. Now both volunteer groups are now combined into 1 group "Oak Hill Cemetery Preservation Society"
Richard Snyder President, Dale Nobeinsky Treasurer, with skilled members Jim Crittenden, and expert in concrete/cement work Tom Roach all working together in these special projects at 1725 N. Washington St. Janesville, WI.
Today we continued in custom building the west wall from 3/4" plywood form 6" wide X 10 feet long that is now attached to back north wall. Just east plywood wall needs to be built and attached to back north wall!
Then bending of 1/2" steel rebar support within walls that will be embedded in the concrete when poured into these wall forms!
These walls will be 6" above ground cover grass for lawn mowing safety!
Floor or Slab within the 3 walls also will have 1/2" rebar and the slab will be 4" thick.
This new slab area 10 feet X 10 feet built into the north hill across road north of chapel and is the new location for a porta potty and keeping it off the road!
We are also working on the 2 custom slabs at front entrance into cemetery off Washington St.
These two slabs will temporary display the original antique iron Gates! These Gates are removable in winter months and can be reinstalled in spring!
Thanks everyone a great day!

Jonathan of Atlas Preservation continues share his knowledge cemetery to cemetery state to state.
So happy that our group members mainly Marni and Dale setup our event to be added to the 48 State Tour to come to Oak Hill Cemetery in Janesville, WI.
A great success!

Completed and ready for use for lifting headstones for adjustment and repairing!
Included a 1 Ton chain hoist and 6 foot & 20 foot lifting Straps!
I built a design very close to what Jonathan Apell used for lifting at his hands on workshop Saturday 7/9/22 at Oak Hill Cemetery.
This simple lift is easy to operate and free to use to our group members at Oak Hill Cemetery Preservation Society
I'm in the process of designing and building a custom light weight lift with each leg adjustable for uneven ground which is very important for Oak Hill cemetery.
Both custom designed an built
By Richard Snyder

We are moving along with leveling out then compacting soil for custom slab for the future placement for a handicap size porta potti located north side of Oak Hill Chapel.
Lots of preparation before pouring concrete for slab since it's built into a hill so it will have 3 walls 6" above grass safety for lawn mowing.
Now waiting on gravel delivery which will happen on Thursday 7/21/22.
4" deep for each of the 3 slabs.
Today we built the custom North back wall form from 3/4" plywood then bolted together with custom made fasteners which will hold plywood inside at 6" wide.
After gravel placement then leveled out then walls are installed leveled and squared then 1/2" rebar custom bent and tied together installed in wood forms that will be embedded into walls for strength and support.
Richard Snyder, Jim Crittenden and Tom Roach.

Since the beginning of restoring the chapel and finding the old wrought iron Gates in the chapel basement we the group members had a plan of reinstalling the gates back at the entrance into the cemetery off Washington street.
Today that plan has started with help from City of Janesville worker Allen in digging for the 3 different size slabs. Two same size 2 feet wide by 10 foot long at cemetery entrance for displaying 123 year old Gates.
Other slab north side of chapel for a handicap Port a potty. This slab will keep it off the road around chapel.
Richard Snyder and Tom Roach skilled in framing & concrete work leveled out all 3 areas today.
On Friday weather permitting next step compacting ground then add 4" deep road gravel, then compacting gravel.
Building slab frame work from 1 X 6 X 10 foot pine. Add 1/2" Steel Rebars wire tied together.
Next week concrete pouring.
More photos coming as we progress each day.
Another cemetery group member stop by and gave a hand Dale Nobeinsky

After picking up all the materials (hand picking lumber for 2 tripods) the last couple of days and working in my studio/workshop after setup of tools for machining the 3 - 2 X 4 10 foot long Tripod legs (using floor model drill press) drilling a 7/8" dia. Hole in all 3 pieces 2x4 use for the steel threaded bolt. Next will sand smooth the lumber then will seal the wood which helps to preserve the material.
Using the heavy duty metal cutting band saw for cutting the steel threaded bolts to the size of 8" lg.
Assembly of all parts coming soon with more photos in use. It will be donated to our group OHCPS which works with the City of Janesville in updating projects in cemetery by fund raising events, from Headstone cleaning to adjusting, resetting/leveling stones.
Upcoming project in next couple of weeks we group members will be working on cement poured slabs at entrance into cemetery off Washington street for setting of the 2 old steel original Gates that are 123 years old.
They will be removable in Fall then reinstalled in Spring!

https://www.gazettextra.com/news/local/cemetery-cleanup-janesville-is-stop-on-48-state-grave-preservation-tour/article_e66eb676-ffe9-11ec-8f75-3f60f13af31a.html

Cemetery cleanup: Janesville is stop on 48-state grave preservation tour At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions, gravestone preservation expert Jonathan Appell started brainstorming a way to keep busy. His idea? The 48 States Tour.

Just pickup the main part of this Tripod today in the building of our Headstone Lifting Tripod I'm building and donating for our group at Oak Hill Cemetery in Janesville, WI.
The 1 Ton Chain Winch in the main piece of equipment needed. Also a couple of straps 6 foot long and 2 12 foot long.
More supplies coming tomorrow.

I will be posting step by step photo's in the building of a Tripod Lift with a 1 Ton chain winch in the safe construction from my workshop here in Janesville for anyone interested.

Learning many new techniques from yesterday's hands on work shop from Jonathan Appell of Atlas Preservation 48 State Tour located at Oak Hill Cemetery in the cleaning of different types of headstones with using the right tools as well as the right cleaning solution D-2.
Also the proper and safe way in lifting headstones for re alignment.
I will be building this simple style but strong 3 legged tripod with a chain winch 1 Ton which will have the 2 part straps for lifting at a equal level balance which is very important dealing with heavy stones.
I will donate it to our group and it will be available in training for the safe use for our cemetery use. For more information on this lift leave message

A very informative hands on workshop with Atlas Preservation at Oak Hill Cemetery, Janesville, WI.
Starting this morning at 9:00 am had to locate an area of headstones in need of work then setup for the proper use of tools and cleaning chemicals that work best on different stones.
In afternoon it was about fixing stones or re leveling or re setting if stones have sink with in ground so digging up the base stone adding gravel re leveling and building back stone to former self. Then days later these stones could be cleaned known the cement/epoxy has dried.
Setup and using a tripod for lifting headstones for realignment and adjusting stones on bases.
All these important steps in today's special workshop by Jonathan from Atlas Preservation was video taped for DVD and will be available soon from Oak Hill Cemetery Preservation Society.

REMINDER TO ALL

We the Oak Hill Cemetery Preservation Society in Janesville, WI. Will be Hosting a special Workshop event on Saturday July 9th, 2022 from 9:00 am to 3:00 PM at Janesvilles Oak Hill Cemetery, 1725 N. Washington St.

"48 State Tour"

Restoring America's Cemeteries.

By Atlas Preservation.

Gravestones Preservation Workshop is completely free to all.

Come early to see the schedule of events.

Learn the proper steps of cleaning the different types of stones using the right materials as well as fixing stones.

Also a special Headstone was cleaned by kids on 6/15/22 at Oak Hill Cemetery.
The man that created the GreenBay Packers "G" Logo
Gerald "Dad" Braisher he is buried here at Oak Hill Cemetery in Janesville, WI.
We the group Oak Hill Cemetery Perservation Society has started a fund raising project for having a Bronze plaque made for recognizing "Dad" Braisher to be installed at his grave site.
On that day we also video taped the cleaning of Dad's headstone by the kids.
JATV channel 994 will be airing this video in next couple weeks and we will be posting it on FB.
For donating to this special Plaque project contact
Richard Snyder
President at 920 382 1807
Many thanks to all group members and special thanks to Marni for organizing with the kids again this year!

Sorry for the delay in updating this page.
Many great photos from Marni and Dale, Chris, Tom, Richard from a great day of working with the kids from many areas in Wisconsin based from St. John Vinnany's Catholic Church.
Headstone cleaning week. 6 /13 - 6/16/22 at Oak Hill Cemetery. Also the relining and setting of stones!