Additional oversight added at former Mission Cemetery

Even in the heat, a group of volunteers continue to remove remains at the former Mission Cemetery in La Salle.  A portion of the land is being developed for a new AnCare Veterinary Clinic.

Numerous graves have been uncovered and remains sorted and packaged to be moved to St. Vincent’s Cemetery.  The effort Thursday attracted the attention of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

La Salle Economic Development Director Don Aleksy says state officials were overwhelmed by the amount of volunteers and thought there should be more supervision.

An extra archeologist is coming on board so there will be two plus a funeral director to oversee the volunteers.

Aleksy thinks they’re close to removing all of the remains from this lot but there are likely more graves on another lot.