Winfield Historical Society hosts lantern-lit cemetery tours Oct. 10
On Saturday, Oct. 10, join the Winfield Historical Society and volunteer cemetery walk interpreters who will tell the stories of notable Winfield residents who lived during the 20th century.
Starting at 4 p.m., lanterns and luminaries will be lighting the path through St. John Cemetery, the town’s only cemetery, and one of the oldest in DuPage County.
Stories that will be featured include: Robert D. Conley (World War II Army veteran awarded the Bronze Star during the second day of the Normandy D-Day invasion); Marguerite Roth (Winfield store clerk, postal clerk and Chicago-Winfield Tuberculosis Sanitarium worker); Victor Karwoski (barber, tailor and worker at John’s Restaurant and Tavern); William “Bill” Brach (owner of Brach’s Auto Service and Grand Knight of Columbus member); and Mathias Mueller (operator of the Winfield Cooperative Creamery on Beecher Street).
The Winfield Park District van leaves for cemetery tours from the Hedges Station Museum at Oakwood Park, ON557 Winfield Road. While you’re waiting for the van, check out museum and learn more about the town’s history.
Parking also will be available this year at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 0S501 Summit Drive.
Tours will be held every 10 minutes between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and starting again at 6 p.m. with the last group stepping off by 7:30 p.m.
Volunteers are urgently needed to make this event a success.
The event is free and open to all; those 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. Donations are accepted. Participants should bring their own flashlights.
This year’s event is co-sponsored and funded by the Knights of Columbus Chapter 8001 of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in memory of past Grand Knight William “Bill” Brach. The Winfield Historical Society, the Winfield Park District and the Joliet Diocese Cemeteries are also sponsoring and providing support for the event.
For more information or volunteer, go to winfieldhistory.org or call the Hedges Station/Winfield Historical Society at 630-510-9053.