Fairview Cemetery faces challenges, looks for solutions

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) – The Fairview Cemetery in Altoona has been around since the late 1870s, and now it is beginning to show its age with bumpy roads and overgrown grass.

In 2023, John Closson, a local resident, visited the cemetery to see some deceased family members. Despite knowing their resting place, he ran into an issue.

“We had difficulty finding it because of the overgrowth of grass and weeds and other vegetation,” Closson said.

He decided to clean up the space himself and let a local elected official know. Fast forward to Memorial Day 2024, and he ran into the same problem as before. The cemetery is in rough shape, a fact not lost on the ones in charge.

“We aren’t always happy with what we see up here,” Geoff Geesey, president of the Fairview Cemetery Association, said.

Although they are aware of the ongoing issues, they say that there is not much they can do to fix it.

“The funds we have are limited,” Geesey said. “The money that we have in our accounts is basically small interest-bearing loans that don’t generate a whole lot of income.”

The result is unkempt grass, litter and rocky roads. As for what can be done, Geesey says that volunteers would be a great help.

He suggested that potentially a local lawn care company could come out to tend to some sections, or someone could organize a group to come help on certain days. Either way, it would have to be a group effort to get the cemetery looking as presentable as it did years ago.

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Those interested in helping can reach out to Fairview Cemetery at 814-942-7538.

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