Sisters of St. Joseph Cemetery

The cemetery found on the east side of the property is a wonderful treasure to have. Still belonging to the Sisters of St. Joseph, it is the final resting place of those women who have given their lives in service of the Church. 

The cemetery is made up for the most part of a uniform style of stone. The main different stones are those of the Mother Superiors which have crosses on them. The stones are not set in any particular order as far as dates are concerned. 
 
What is interesting though is the Crucifixion scene in the middle.  The Crucifix was set up on Good Friday, April 6, 1917.  It was a gift of the Alumni Association in memory of Mother Gertrude, the Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton who had passed away on April 28, 1916. The figures of Mary, St. John the Beloved Apostle, and Mary Magdalene were added at a later date.  
 
A stroll through the cemetery also reveals that there are others who are not Sisters of St. Joseph buried there.  There are two of the seven founding Poor Clare sisters from Kokomo buried there.  Also, there are four priests, who either had ties to the academy as chaplains or to one of the hospitals that the Sisters ran, whose graves are located in the cemetery.  Others who are buried in this small cemetery are those who worked for the Sisters or were family members.  
 
The cemetery is a peaceful place to offer prayers for the deceased and to ask them to pray for us who are still on pilgrimage to the Kingdom where the Lord lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. 

For an alphabetical listing of people buried in the Sisters of St. Joseph Cemetery, as well as other details about their life, death, and tombstone photo and location, including some obituaries, visit SharpsvilleAncestors or stop by the St. Jerome Library inside the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center.