My Final Resting Place
and the
Engraving of My Name
I am adding this page, July 2002. In my research I have discovered two more crypts that were not going to be used and were for sale. I think you will agree that they are in an excellent location, next to a beautiful stained glass window. The exact location for the new crypts is: Unit Four, 127C and 128C. The crypt spaces mentioned on the other page will now be available for my two sons and their families.
You enter the mausoleum from the north door and into Unit Four, that was completed in 1954.
Proceed down this hallway and take a right at the second intersection.
Walk to the end of the hall with the stained-glass window and
turn to your right, the two crypts are at eye level.
GPS location is: N 37o 43' 28" and W 097o 17' 47"
Once the deed to the crypts was in my possession, I then commissioned to have the lettering done. Steve, superintendent of Old Mission Cemetery, on the left and Lee, mausoleum tender, carefully remove the marble shutter from the front of the crypt.
The shutter weighs about 150 pounds and is removed from the front of the crypt with care.
With the marble shutter removed you can see into the crypts themselves. Lying on the floor of each crypt is the two-inch thick cement plug that will be cemented into the front opening at the time of actual use.
The marble shutter was taken to the workroom which is located on site, and place on a waist high work bench for the engraver.
The marble shutter is painted with green tempera paint so that the lettering will show up well on the white marble, while the engraver works. Over the engraver's right shoulder, you can see the metal stencil letters used by the engraver to spell out the names and dates.
A wooden mallet and metal chisels are used to remove the marble. All of the lettering is done by hand. No machine tools on this project!
Quentin, has been carving and lettering marble for more than thirty years. He takes great pride in his craft, and is truly a master craftsman!
Keeping the metal chisels sharp is the key to success. The taps from the wooden mallet are slow and deliberate, with stops for resharpening the chisels every few minutes.
To do the job right, Quentin may spend more than ten hours to complete the project.
Doing the fine detail work takes time and patients, but the end results will last for eternity!
Once the carving is completed, the cut away area is treated with varnish and after the proper drying time has elapsed, the gold leaf is added.
The marble shutter with the new lettering has been returned to its original spot.
This location next to the beautiful window makes for a nice final resting place!
"I like red carnations."
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
David George Stuart,
July 2002
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