Tombstone Tuesday–Johannes Betzel

Johannes Betzel, Kessler [aka Liberty] Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio.

This is the tombstone of Johannes Betzel, located in row 14 of Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed, Hier ruht Johannes Betzel, geboren 15 Juni 1852, gestorben 2 Marz 1879.Translated, Here rests Johannes Betzel, born 15 June 1852, died 2 March 1879.

According to the records of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Ohio, Johannes Betzel, was born 15 June 1852 in Mercer County, Ohio and was baptized there. He was confirmed at Zion, Chattanooga, on 13 May 1866. He died 2 March 1879 at 1:30 in the afternoon at the age of 26 years, 8 months and 17 days.

Johannes never married and he died about 2 months before his mother.

Johannes Betzel, Kessler Cemetery.

Johannes Betzel is buried next to his mother in Kessler Cemetery. His tombstone is made from the same beautiful white marble as hers but his stone does not bear the engraver’s name. The top portion of his tombstone has broken off and it is leaning against the base, facing to the west. All of the other tombstones in that row face to the east . There is writing in German script on the portion of the marker still standing and it faces the east. It appears that something has broken off the very top of the marker as well.

Johannes Betzel, Kessler Cemetery.

Johannes Betzel, right; his mother, Anna Rosina, to the left.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.