Oakland Cemetery

10/07/2026

More rows are being poured at the cemetery this week in the Shanahan addition. Fall is always a beautiful time of year on Freedom Lane.

07/30/2026

In February of 2026, Mike Rowley, a volunteer member of the America 250 Iowa Task Force, approached the city about placing a standard military headstone to honor an unmarked veteran, William Manson.

Although William is not buried in Oakland Cemetery, his original resting place is unmarked and is believed to now be farmland. Several of his children and grandchildren, however, are buried in Oakland Cemetery. With approval from the City Council, permission was granted to place the headstone on the plot of one of his children.

The military headstone was installed today in William Manson's honor. This memorial serves as a lasting tribute to his service and sacrifice for our country.

Interested in Mike's work on marking veterans in Iowa? More information can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5GpwMcBhh4

07/23/2026

Did you know that Oakland Cemetery is the final resting place of Iowa Governor Francis Drake?

Governor Drake served the state of Iowa from 1896 to 1898, leaving a lasting legacy of public service. One of the Friends of Oakland Cemetery's current projects is working to install a flagpole at this historic gravesite.

We look forward to sharing updates on this project and continuing to preserve and celebrate the history of those laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery. You can find Governor Drake in the 1st Addition, Block 6, Lot 14.

09/19/2019

Progress update on Liberty Park and Veteran's Memorial Garden at the Oakland Cemetery. The bell tower is up and the stonework should begin in the next few weeks.

06/06/2019

Not to be forgotten, we want to Thank again the group of four girls who cleaned Oakland Cemetery Chapel in preparation of the 2018 Memorial Day Ceremony. They came on the morning of Prom and cleaned the Chapel s**c and span. Thank you again Claire Mathews, Shay Klause, Riley Hawk and Kyla Moore! (names not in order)

06/05/2019

A big Thank You from the Friends of Oakland to Claire Mathews, Jena Kroeger and Cade Lechtenberg for their great help cleaning the cemetery
Chapel in preparation the 2019 Memorial Day Ceremony. The Chapel looked awesome!

01/08/2018

Congratulations to Friends of Oakland Cemetary for receiving a $20,000 Cline Foundation Community Cornerstone Grant moving them closer to completing their Veteran's Memorial Garden.

The Morgan E. Cline Perpetual Charitable Foundation announced the recipients of its first charitable grants to the community. Appanoose All Play, the Appanoose County Historical Society, the Friends of the

10/11/2017

Guido and Betty Pauletti lived long and hardworking lives, and after their passing, they left a generous legacy to Centerville. In their will, they were able to make an enormous

08/17/2017

08/17/2017