Over the Garden Fence: A living memorial to those gone but not forgotten

After four years of thought, and despite a mighty heat wave, a red oak tree was planted close to the Arbor Day bur oak that commemorated 75 years of the Division of Forestry work in Ohio. The significance in the red oak's arrival was it is in place to "serve as a living legacy, a beacon of hope and remembrance" for several generations. Both trees flank the back side of the carillon tower.

Three members of the Bucyrus High School class of 1989 − Dean Heid, Joe Partlow and Randy Teynor − were able to fulfill a vision last June 21. The classmates, referring to themselves as "shaman," wanted to mark a place within Aumiller Park as a spot with permanency to hold on to cherished moments remembered. The men wanted to be sure the departed members' families know their spirits are forever entwined with those who live on from the class of 1989 and friends.

Opening remarks from Dean clarified the purpose as he referred to the park as "a canopy of nature's embrace." He went on to state "the echoes of their laughter, the comradery of their friendship, the brilliance of their spirit and the warm memory of their smiles cover us from above much like the branches and leaves from the trees surrounding us."

Somber reminder of reality and radiance

Moving into the heart of his sharing, Dean used a first-person tense talking directly to the lost classmates.

"In honor of you, we plant this red oak as a living tribute to your memory and the loving roots you laid in our hearts and souls," he said.

Fourteen black and white photos were displayed, each a youthful face, as Dean read through their names. It was a somber reminder of the reality and radiance gone from the class.

The gathering had brought Ann Zornes' mother, Regina, sister Mary and brother Eric. Classmates Tonya Runyan Lyon and Rebecca Mills with her son, Don Fox, were present. Joe's daughter, Kamryn, accompanied him from Marysville. A friend, Mary Rugh, came. Everyone took a turn in digging into the soil so that the tree could be placed in its resting space.

Bucyrus Mayor Bruce Truka and Service Director Tom Starner shared in the event. Tree Commission members Andy Furner, Jeff Panovich and I were there to be part of the tree dedication. We did some digging and brought the life-giving water. A post with a plaque now sets to the front of the tree clarifying its purpose.

In closing the column this week, Dean Heid's words directed to departed classmates seem like perfect symbolism for this tree which will live on. It was as if he were tying up a secure bow on a gift package: "In the quiet rustle of its leaves may we hear the resonance of your laughter and in the gentle sway of its branches feel the embrace of your enduring friendship."

So sweet.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus class of 1989 pants a tree to remember lost classmates