Insurance to cover most of tombstone repair

DALTON -- Facing a hefty restoration fee on three tombstones damaged following a car chase, Dalton learned its insurer will foot the bill for repairs after all, easing early fears the village would be stuck with all costs.

Mayor Judy Cox said Whitaker-Myers Group will cover up to $5,200 of damages that stem from a chase Dec. 2 when a man, high on cocaine and marijuana, allegedly stole a box truck and led police on a cross- county chase before entering Dalton Cemetery and striking three tombstones -- two of which belonged to soldiers in the American Revolutionary War.

D+S Distribution of Wooster donated $1,000 to the village upon learning of the incident. The funds will help pay the village's insurance deductible.

Financial responsibility for tombstone repair typically falls on the family since each plot is considered private property. However, given the age of the stones and that no living relatives could be tracked down, Whitaker-Myers felt covering the damage was "the proper thing to do," Cox said.

Total damage is assessed at $7,010, which includes $4,425 for white marble stones, the same material used in veteran memorials at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Silas Coe and William Campbell, whose names are on the stones, were believed to have fought in the American Revolutionary War, which helped the United States gain independence from Britain.

A star reading "1776" located next to Campbell's burial site signifies his date and involvement in the war, which spanned from 1775-1784.

Suffering heavy damage from a direct hit of the truck, the third tombstone belongs to Margaret Walker.

On Wednesday, Cox met with Chisler's Monuments in Barberton to assess the damage and place a purchase order for the white marble.

Requiring half the costs up front, Dalton council is expected to OK the purchase at its upcoming Feb. 15 meeting, getting the restoration process under way.

Hopefully, Cox said, the project will be completed by Memorial Day, which is May 30, so each can be rededicated.

"These are men who helped set this country in the direction it is today," said Cox of the rededication.

Jeremy Lee Butler, the man who police say is responsible for the damage, didn't have insurance at the time of the incident.

Reporter Jonathan Scholles can be reached at 330-287-1632 or [email protected]. He is @jonschollesTDR on Twitter.