Sperling Cemetery
The Sperling Community Cemetery
is located on SW31-6-2W, one half mile north, one mile west, and
another half mile north of the village. The two-acre cemetery
contains 182 plots, has a perimeter of trees, and the grass is kept
neatly mowed. A cemetery map is posted in the service building, and
a register is being prepared.
Click on cemetery index for an on-line map and photos of most
gravestones.
The cemetery was organized by local residents in 1905, and the first
burials began in 1906. The cemetery is administered by a committee,
whose current membership is:
Peter Walker, Chair
Wendal Fewster, Secretary-Treasurer
Russell Nicolajsen
Victor Baleja
Glen Baleja
Leonard Rance is the current caretaker of the cemetery.
Contact Wendal Fewster at (204) 626-3207 with any questions or
requests concerning burials or plots. Donations are always
appreciated to cover the ongoing maintenance and care of the
cemetery. If cheques are made payable to the Sperling Community
Club, a tax receipt can be issued if donors wish. Wendal’s mailing
address is P.O. Box 28, Sperling MB R0G 1M0.
Families of persons buried in the cemetery are invited to visit at
any time, and especially on the first Saturday in June, which is
designated as Ancestors’ Day:
Join family members of people buried in Sperling Cemetery
to remember your ancestors, spruce up the family plot,
and perhaps help the cemetery committee with some additional work.
Help make our cemetery an even nicer place,
and enjoy the opportunity to visit with your Sperling friends.
Timing is informal; come anytime.
Bring along a few gardening tools, some lawn chairs,
and perhaps the makings of a picnic;
the day may turn into an informal social gathering.
Please spread the word!
Visit the cemetery on the first Saturday in June,
this year and every year.
The following excerpt from “Furrows in the Valley” (History of the RM of Morris – 1980) provides some history about the cemetery:
In the interest of the Sperling Community, a meeting of concerned citizens was held in the spring of 1905. A motion was passed that a joint stock company be formed at $10.00 per share and a committee be named to purchase two acres of land. Elected to the committee were George Dracass, George Peckover, T.H. McCallum, D.H. McLean and Mr. Eaton. There were fifty-four subscribers at that meeting.
The Committee purchased the land from Fred Dracass at $125.00 per acre. It is situated on the edge of a ravine, approximately 1 1/2 miles northwest of Sperling. The land was surveyed into lots at a cost of $76.00. At a subsequent meeting, it was decided that those that paid the $10.00 would be entitled to a free plot.
The first committee in charge of the cemetery were George Dracass, George Peckover, W. Eaton, W.H. McCallum, and Andrew Mogk. The upkeep of the cemetery was voluntary donations and $2.00 a plot was also charged.
In 1935, trees were planted surrounding the cemetery with Dr. Martin and Matt Lathan in charge. In 1920, a 12 x 12 building was built at the end of the entrance, which housed the maintenance equipment. Enclosed in this building is a detailed map of the cemetery. This map and copies were made by Bill and Audrey Peckover, and is very convenient to those visiting the cemetery.
At an annual meeting on April 21, 1971, the committee decided that letters would be written to all plot holders in an effort to start perpetual care, on a voluntary basis. This met with a good response, and at the present time, 85 plot owners are under this arrangement.
Some improvements to the cemetery have been made in recent years. An exit road was built on the south side of the cemetery on ground donated by Ralph Mogk. Replacement trees were planted where needed. A granite plaque has been installed at the entrance, with the inscripton 'Sperling Community Cemetery'.
At the last meeting held on April 28, 1978, the committee were: LeRoy Rance, President; W. Fewster, K.K. McLean, Glen Brown, Leonard Rance, Browning Hooper, and H.A. Waddell, Secretary-Treasurer.
W. Sessions and W.C. Davidson spent many years as caretakers of the cemetery and the Cubs, Scouts and Ventures have acted as custodians also. The custodians in 1978 were the Peter Wiebe family.
Letters of appreciation have been received from many people who have visited the cemetery in the summer and enjoyed the peonies and other flowers and the well kept grounds.
