Local News
Related Photos
-
RON (right) AND JIM BELDING, of Belding Monuments of Geneva, crafted and donated a headstone to the family of Bethany Davis, who passed away in 2006. DANIEL KRAUS
-
RON AND JIM BELDING, of Belding Monuments in Geneva, crafted and donated a head stone to the family of Bethany Davis. Davis, who passed away in 2006, had yet to have a head stone placed at her place of resting. DANIEL KRAUS
Discussion
A Christmas present for Bethany
Belding Monuments donates grave marker for Ashtabula girl who died a year ago
GENEVA — A year has come and gone since 12-year-old Bethany Davis died. A blanket of grass covers her grave at Evergreen Cemetery and small gifts and flowers are left by loved ones who miss Bethany’s smile and laughter.
But up until last week, the gifts and flowers were the only markers on Bethany’s grave.
“It isn’t that often that a grave goes unmarked this long,” Geneva cemeteries sexton Dan Marshfield said. “Given how suddenly this girl died and the grief of the family, everyone here at the cemetery just wanted (Bethany) to have a proper marker.”
Bethany died last November when she fell from the top of the Tannery Hill overpass in Ashtabula while on a walk with friends.
As the group approached the top of the overpass, they decided to take a shortcut and climb down the grassy knoll and through the gradual decline of the landscape. Bethany lost her footing about halfway down and slid off the side of the concrete overpass wall. She hit the ground and was knocked unconscious. She never woke up.
Bethany’s story and the thought of the Davis family having nowhere to grieve set Marshfield into action and spurred the generosity of Ron and Jim Belding of Belding Monuments.
“Another monument company had promised the Davis family a stone for Bethany, but never delivered,” Marshfield said. “Here they were, a year later and no marker for her.”
The cemetery poured the foundation for the stone and the Beldings donated the etched granite marker.
Bethany’s mother, Vera Davis, said the Marshfield and the Beldings have granted her Christmas wish.
“We always visit Bethany’s grave on Christmas Day to leave her little gifts,” she said. “I can’t say how much it will mean to go to her marker this year.”
Davis said Bethany’s friends and schoolmates still visit her at the house and call to make sure she is OK during the holidays.
“Christmas is a tough time for us,” Davis said. “Bethany died in November and we don’t have her for Christmas and then her birthday is in January.
“I know she would want us to move on, but it is just so hard sometimes.”
Jim Belding said Bethany’s story and the Davis’ loss touched his heart.
“I just feel everyone should have a stone,” Jim Belding said. “It is important for the family. A stone is really as much for the living as it is for the deceased.
“People need to have a place to go and visit.”
- Local News
-
-
'Bula teen drowns after leap from lighthouse
A trip to Lake Erie with friends turned tragic Tuesday night for a 19-year-old Ashtabula man.
-
Body found in Lampson Reservoir
The body of an adult male was found in the Lampson Reservoir on Wednesday evening, the Jefferson Emergency Rescue District reports.
-
Trash bin arsonists may have started house fire
Arsonists who have set nearly two dozen fires inside trash containers in the city of Ashtabula this month may be seeking bigger — and potentially more dangerous — prey, fire officials said.
-
Local charities, auxiliaries, unions on IRS warning list
From the Ashtabula Community Players to the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, scores of Ashtabula County nonprofit organizations are in danger of losing their favored status with the Internal Revenue Service.
-
Entrance to I-90 reopened
The west-bound entrance to Interstate 90 from Route 193 was re-opened Wednesday, but another closing is in the works for next week.
-
Proposed Geneva tax credit to create jobs
Geneva City Council will hold a special public meeting Friday to discuss the Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit Program for the joint economic development district with Harpersfield Township, a program introduced in April by former Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County executive director Joseph Mayernick.
-
PV board to place levy on November ballot
The Pymatuning Valley Local Board of Education recently passed a resolution to place an “emergency renewal levy” before voters in November.
-
Sheriff action against county set for November
Sheriff William Johnson will have his day in court, but he’ll have to wait another 3 1/2 months to get it.
-
Formal charges filed against men in domestic dispute
The father who allegedly took a shot at his daughter’s ex-boyfriend Saturday night after a domestic altercation was released from jail Tuesday, Municipal Court officials said.
Harvey Jones, 49, of Ashtabula, was charged with felonious assault and discharging a firearm within the city limits, court officials said. -
Man charged in Geauga crash
The Chagrin Falls man who slammed his truck into a car at a traffic light has been charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence and aggravated vehicular assault, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Chad Bass said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
'Bula teen drowns after leap from lighthouse
