Visiting the “Paceful” Hill Cemetery

Some poor soul misspelled a Google Maps entry for the Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle, WA. Now I can’t help but think of it as the “Paceful Hill Cemetery.” If something is “paceful,” what does that mean? It’s full of paces? Does it mean it’s really big and takes a lot of walking around?

From Google Maps 2024

That’s true of the Paceful, I mean Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle, WA. It’s a good-sized, well-maintained community cemetery with several distinct sections to it. I’ll share some things I appreciated. (All photos by the author.)

Photo by the author

Many Finns are buried here, and I learned about a Finnish instrument, the kantele. Did you know that when the first kantele was played, the sound was so beautiful that all living things started to cry? When their tears touched the sea, they turned into beautiful blue pearls.

Photo by the author

Photo by the author

The trees for two memorial tree plaques are gone now. I wonder what kind of trees they were. Werner John Hill was born in 1893 in Michigan to John and Elizabeth Hill from Finland. He worked as a logger for Chambers Logging Company. In the Army he was assigned to the Headquarters Company of the 361st “Skookum” Regiment. He served in WWI as a Private and died of his wounds 15 October 1918 at Argonne, France. He received a Purple Heart. (Sources: Willapa Seaport Museum on Facebook and honorstates.org) I don’t know if he loaned his name to the cemetery.

Photo by the author

This graceful dual memorial is particularly attractive. I like the book between the columns.

Photo by the author

This little angel has cute fuzzy mossy hair. I think it’s holding a bird in its hands and kissing its head.

Photo by the author

I saw a new emblem on Mr. Bott’s headstone, and learned about the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which is very large and active. Interestingly, they endorse Kamala Harris for president. I wonder how that flies in a largely conservative area.

Photo by the author

This headstone has a lovely sentiment on the back: “May you always know how loved you are.” That’s this mother’s wish for her passel of boys, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were true for everyone?

Photo by the author

This too is a lovely sentiment: “Ahead of us on the trail.” We’re all progressing toward the Great Unknown, we’re just at different places in our journey. It reminds me of the saying, “We’re all just walking each other home.”

Photo by the author

This wonderful carving memorializes Chairman John R. Barnett, who worked in various leadership roles in the Cowlitz Tribe. He was instrumental in the Cowlitz Federal Acknowledgment process from 1978 to 2002. On Feb. 14, 2000, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe was formally recognized by the Federal government.

Findagrave has a detailed obituary about this amazing man’s service to his community and Tribe.

Originally published at http://michellerau.com on October 6, 2024.