Presenters during the 12th annual cemetery walking tour at Iron River Cemetery on June 12 were, from left, Bill Leonoff, Kim Stafford Benson, Allyce Westphal, coordinator Dale Safford, Jay Barry and Julie Melchiori. Not pictured are Betty Petroski, Sara Basso and Ron Basso.

IRON RIVER – On June 12, a group of 44 people took part in the 12th annual walking tour of a cemetery in west Iron County, which was held this year at Iron River Cemetery.

Participants came from Chassell, Escanaba, Trout Creek, and Crystal Falls, as well as from the local area.

Dale Safford, West Iron County’s “Cemetery Lady,” shared facts about the cemetery and stories of several people who are buried there, and also honored headstones that were the most unique, most well-tended, and most beautiful, as well as mentioning several people who lived to be over 100 years old. Also contributing were local residents who shared information about family members or other people who are buried in the cemetery:

— Betty Petroski, who spoke about her husband’s great-grandmother Mary Wiercinskie.

— Kim Stafford Benson, who talked about Centennial Farm settler Mary Anna Luba.

— Allyce Westphal, who covered her great-uncle, Antenore Toti.

— Sara Basso, who spoke about her grandfather, grocer Alfred Angeli.

— Ron Basso, who covered Rum Rebellion lawyer Martin McDonough.

— Jay Barry, who talked about Gibbs City founder Royal Gibbs.

— Julie Melchiori, who spoke about her aunt, Marion “Mim” Asplund.

— Bill Leonoff, who reported on pioneer hotel builder Andrew Boyington.

— Dale Safford, coordinator, who spoke about 10 additional people buried in the cemetery.

The tour was sponsored by the Iron County Museum and the Iron County Genealogical Society.