Buck Road Cemetery Association honors veterans

By Editor | May 22, 2026 |

Family of veterans, veterans and community members gathered at the Buck Road Cemetery on Sunday, May 17 to honor those lost for Memorial Day. (Kathy Turner photo)

By Kathy Turner
Freelance Reporter • “In Buck Road Cemetery on Route 162 on the western outskirts of Maryville, there is a statue of a World War I soldier named Henry Ostendorf. He was killed in Europe during [the war] and was the first soldier killed from Madison County in the war. What is the history of this soldier? Who put up the statue and when? The people of Buck Road have asked me often because I am the sexton there but I have no answers other than it was there when I took over the cemetery years ago.”

Those are the words that Michael Kovarik shared with a newspaper in 2015. Kovarik has stepped down from his role, relinquishing it to his son Justin, but the puzzle remains. Whatever the answer, the fact remains that for more than 160 years Buck Road Cemetery has been the final resting place for Ostendorf and many others, including family and friends. And a statue of that Doughboy remains near the grave but it is unknown when it was erected or who placed it.

Kovarik goes on to explain that Ostendorf was laid to rest on July 24, 1921 where an estimated 2,000 residents packed the small cemetery in his honor. In his honor, and in honor of the many veterans who are remembered in Buck Road Cemetery, the association that oversees the cemetery gathers each Memorial Day to honor those who have fallen.

David Noble of the Glen Carbon VFW and American Legion led the military salutes during the ceremony. (Kathy Turner photo)

On Sunday, May 17 that tradition continued. Families and friends of those buried at the cemetery along with other veterans attended the service. Justin Kovarik served as master of ceremonies. David Noble of the Glen Carbon VFW and American Legion provided the words honoring the veterans and introduced the veterans who provided the 21-gun salute. Martha Etzkorn provided TAPS and renditions of the service branches’ songs. And Martha Brockus led the group in the National Anthem and other patriotic songs.

The guest of honor delivering the Memorial Day Address was Samantha Doolin, the Curator of the Glen Carbon Historical Museum. She spoke of the history of the poppy as a symbol of memorializing veterans.

Samantha Doolin, Curator of the Glen Carbon Historical Museum, served as guest speaker during the event. (Kathy Turner photo)

Michael Kovarik ended the ceremony with the ringing of the bells. It is a way of honoring those who served.

The board members of the Buck Road Cemetery are: Justin Kovarik, Michael Kovarik, Gretchen Ketchum, Josephine Harris, Tanya Kovarik, Bonnie Bean, Michael Semanisin, William Bishop, Chandler Lee Brown, Linda J. Kovarik, Anita Howard, Cindy Cassens Mickle, Nikki Condis Rodgers, Kenny Rodgers and Lorina Jo Huff.