Palm Beach County Banner
FLGenWeb Logo
Palm Beach County, FLGenWeb


Assistant
 

Home | Archives | Cemeteries | Census | Cities & Towns | History | Military | Miscellaneous | Vital Records | Volunteer | What's New

 

Boca Raton Cemetery

 

Boca Raton Cemetery & Boca Raton Mausoleum

451 SW 4th Ave, Boca Raton, FL. (561) 393-7841      (561) 393-7841       

Frank H. Chesebro, one of the early residents of Boca Raton, donated the land for the cemetery in 1916. The original cemetery was a one acre lot located near the Boca Raton Hotel. In 1928 Clarence H. Geist wanted to purchase the land the cemetery was located on, and traded 10 acres of land located at what is now Glades Road and Northwest Second Avenue. The 25 burials¹ that had been made in the original one acre cemetery were exhumed and moved to the new cemetery in May of 1928.

Also in 1928, the Boca Raton Cemetery Association was chartered by the State and took over management of the cemetery. Frank Chesebro was the association's President until his death in 1936 at which time his son, Harry M. Chesebro, succeeded him.

During World War II, the Mayor of Boca Raton (J.C. Mitchell) invited the military to build a training base in Boca Raton. Much to everyone's surprise, Boca was selected as the site for a top-secret Air Force base. Almost overnight the population of Boca jumped from 1,500 to 23,000. The Boca Raton Air Base covered all of what is now Florida Atlantic University and Bibletown. It also covered the Cemetery.

The heavily guarded, top-secret radar training installation, presented a problem for mourners, funeral homes, and others that wished to visit. To solve this problem the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was ordered to find a suitable site for a cemetery and to disinter the remains from the area just south of Glades Road.

Lt. Col. Arnold MacSpadden, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers selected the highest point in town for the new cemetery. It seems almost poetic that the name of this high point was called Sunset Hill. In the fall of 1942 to the spring of 1943, all the remains were transferred to the present site. In 1948, the operation of the Cemetery was turned over to the City and the Fire Chief was the first cemetery sexton. He sold, marked, and measured the graves.


Partial listing which includes additional research information

See also, Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County's history of this cemetery, as well as their listing of burials.

Name Born - Died Birth State Comments
Akers, Homer 30 Dec 1916 - 24 Jan 2002 Kentucky S/O Joshua & Ivory (Laxton). He was an Engineer, a Broadcaster and Co-Founder of WTHL & WWOG Christian Radio.
Akins, George S.² Unk - 17 Aug 1938    
Akins, Alice Adeline² 1888 - 24 Dec 1941    
Amor, Adelbert Fordham 1890 - Sep 1960 Ohio H/O Jesse
Amor, Jessie Rose (Wheelock) 1890 - Aug 1966 Ohio W/O Adelbert
Arnold, Orson R.² 1899 - 3 Nov 1934   Died in West Palm Beach
Andelfinger, Marie Kristine² 1907 - 2 Sep 1947   Mrs.
Anderson, Loretta² 3 Dec 1849 - 11 Oct 1934   Birth year may be 1851
Apsley, Melville Archibald 24 Oct 1911 - 4 Jul 1961 Delaware H/O Isabel. S/O Melville & Emma (Harris)
Apsley, Isabel (Vinings) 6 Sep 1918 - 11 Jul 1988 Delaware W/O Melville
Arnau, William Cleveland² Unk - 22 Apr 1928 Florida Infant S/O Julian K. Arnau. Moved to Deerfield 16 Jun 1942
Arnolds, Infant² Unk - 3 Sep 1932** Florida  
Ashe, Haven Malloy 9 Jun 1899 - 28 Nov 1963 Georgia H/O Maud. S/O George & Sarah (Williamson)
Ashe, Maud Ritchie 10 May 1903 - 17 Sep 1962   W/O Haven
Atkins, Frederick¹ 1917 - 20 Dec 1920 Florida Died in Boca Raton
Ball, Reba Perry² 1873 - 15 Aug 1948   Mrs.
Baron, Frank¹ 1855 - 12 Nov 1917   Died in Deerfield. Remains moved to Ft. Lauderdale
Baron, Elizabeth (Routledge)¹ 1864 - 14 Nov 1917   Died in Deerfield. Remains moved to Ft Lauderdale. Born in Liverpool, England
Bee, Harry Hughes² 1943 - 23 Oct 1943 Florida Age 4 mos. Child of Geraldine Cox Bee. Died at Ft. Lauderdale
Beiter, Alfred Florian 7 Jul 1894 - 11 Mar 1974 New York H/O Carloline. US Congressman. Elected to represent New York's 41st District in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1933 to 1939, and 1941 to 1943.
Bologna, Francesco 6 Sep 1929 - 26 Mar 2004 Italy Born in Palermo, Sicily. H/O Giuseppina
Bologna, Giuseppina Giresi 24 Aug 1934 - 5 Jun 2005 Italy Born in Polizzigenerosa. W/O Francesco
Bologna, Francesco Antonio 15 Oct 1996 - 15 Oct 1996 Florida Well little nephew the lord must have needed you more then us to take you back before you were even born. Love, your uncle Sal
Boyce, Clarence² 1887 - 11 Feb 1938    
Boyce, James² 1931 - 20 Sep 1943   Died in Ft. Lauderdale. Age 12
Brenk, Arthur¹ 1905 - 24 Nov 1917   S/O J.A. Brenk
Brenk, Arthur Allen¹ 10 Jul 1926 - 17 Jul 1926 Florida S/O William & Louise Brenk
Brenk, Nancy Ellen¹ 14 Jul 1927 - 16 Jul 1927 Florida D/O William & Louise Brenk
Brenk, Billy² 3 Sep 1928 - 8 Sep 1928 Florida S/O William & Louise Brenk
Brenk, Baby Girl² Unk - 4 May 1942 Florida  
Brown, Charles W.² 1875 - 4 Feb 1944    
Buckstaff, Noel Harold 7 Jan 1888 - Jan 1960 Wisconsin H/O Martha
Buckstaff, Martha S. 1885 - 1963 Wisconsin W/O Noel
Burside, Barbara Umstead 30 Aug 1922 - 16 Dec 2002   Delray Beach Resident.
Campbell, James Ward² 24 Dec 1862 - 28 Nov 1933 Province of Quebec, Canada Died in Lake Harbor, FL.
Carr, Sophie M. 19 Dec 1906 - 12 Oct 2002 New York W/O Edward
Carroll, Charles Abt. 1841 - 31 Aug 1919 Georgia Moved to FL btwn 1870-1880. H/O May A. Died in Yamato
Carroll, Martha Ann 1850 - 11 Jul 1920   Died in Yamato
Carroll, James M.¹ Abt. 1874 - 12 Aug 1927 Georgia S/O Charles. H/O Martha
Carroll, Martha F. "Mattie" ¹ Abt. 1880 - 13 Dec 1917 Florida W/O James
Cochran, Infant¹ 1915 - 24 Nov 1916 Florida  
Cox, Marion² 1928 - 30 Aug 1938    
Cox, William Copeland² 1891 - 23 Oct 1948    
Champia, Nicholas² 1910 - 16 Mar 1929   Buried 18 March.
Chesebro, Frank Howard² 10 Dec 1850 - 19 Jan1936 New York S/O Allen D. & Rhoda. Moved to FL from MI btwn 1900-1910. One of the early settlers of Boca Raton. Instrumental in the growth and development of Boca. Donated the land for the original Boca Raton cemetery.
Chesebro, Jeannette² 3 Dec 1854 - 27 Apr 1928 Michigan W/O Frank
Colebank, Henry Ward 24 Nov 1889 - 1 May 1958 Illinois Died in Dade County. Long time Michigan resident. WW I Vet.
Colebank, Ruth W. (Jones) 6 Nov 1892 - 1970 Massachusetts Died in Michigan. W/O Henry
Colvin, Henry Nelson² Mar 1940 - 20 Jul 1940   Age 5 months
Combs, Bert Allistison² 1871 - 13 Jul 1936   Died in Deerfield. Moved to Ft. Lauderdale.
Combs, Elvira² 1867 - 22 Aug 1948   Mrs.
Cramer, Lorraine² 1923 - 20 Mar 1928**   D/O J.F. Cramer
Davis, Ira Henry² 1864 - 20 Oct 1941    
Davis, Vertie² 1888 - 3 Aug 1947   Mrs.
Davis, Infant² 29 Oct 1942 - 30 Oct 1942 Florida Child of Lt. Reginald S. Davis. Age 21 hours
Dickey, Karl N., Sr. 23 May 1911 - 23 Apr 1990 Ohio Died at Fort Lauderdale
Douglas, Clara Lee¹ 1917 - 17 May 1918   D/O Lucas Douglas
Douglas, Elizabeth¹ 1892 - 15 Sep 1923   W/O Lucas Douglas. Died in Boca Raton.
Estridge, Philip Don 23 Jun 1937 - 2 Aug 1985 Florida Born Philip Donald "Don" Estridge, he is known as the "father of the IBM PC". Don led the team that developed the IBM Personal Computer. He was one of IBM's great heroes," according to the President of IBM President in 1985. Another computer industry writer called Don the "Cary Grant of micros". Don left a legacy behind him. He was a shining star at IBM.

The "Don Estridge High Tech Middle School" was named in memory of his legacy. Don is also listed in the University of Florida "Famous Alumni".

Don and his wife, Mary Anne (Hellier), were two of the 137 victims on board Delta Air Lines Flight 191, that crashed as it attempted to land during a storm in Dallas, Texas on August 2, 1985.
Estridge, Mary Ann (Hellier) 10 Sep 1939 - 2 Aug 1985 Florida W/O Don. Mary Ann was a piano teacher and known for her love of music.
Evarts, Francis Elmon² 27 Jul 1852 - 18 Mar 1941 Michigan Died in West Palm Beach
Feldmann, Erskine Forgy 1929 - Dec 1960   Mrs.
Field, Lella Shirley 8 Nov 1925 - 25 Apr 2002   Mrs. Lived in Illinois prior to FL
Fiske, Amy M.² 1880 - 2 May 1940    
Fiske, James² 1882 - 11 Oct 1942    
Forand, Aime Joseph 23 May 1895 - 18 Jan 1972   US Congressman. Served in the United States Army during World War I. Elected to represent Rhode Island's 1st District in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1937 to 1939 and 1941 to 1961. Also served as a Member of the Rhode Island State House of representatives from 1923 to 1927.
Fournier, Joseph Wilfred 14 Aug 1897 - 7 Jul 1965   H/O Lillian. Lived in MA prior to FL
Gaskin, Rosa¹ Unk - 20 May 1918   W/O W.S. Gaskin. Died in Deerfield
Gaskin, Infant¹ Unk - 22 Nov 1927 Florida Child of Orvis and Nellie Gaskin
Gaskin, Ida Ruth² 1928 - 22 Feb 1929 Florida D/O Bruce Gaskin. Aged 10 mos. and 23 days
Gismondi, Arturo 1 Aug 1920 - 22 Apr 2005 Italy H/O Angela
Gore, Richard S. 1960 - 1986    
Gunter, Richard Eugene "Gene" 5 Oct 1931 - 23 Jan 2006   H/O Jean. US Navy - Korean War. President of the Boy's Club of Miami and the Miami Shores Optimist Club. Gene was the Regional District Sales Manager for Nabisco Company.
Hague, A.L.² 1879 - 25 Jan 1930   Died in Deerfield
Haley, James Andrew 4 Jan 1899 - 6 Aug 1981 Alabama H/O Aubrey (Black). US Congressman. Served in the United States Army during World War I. Elected to represent Florida's 7th and 8th Districts in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1953 to 1977. Also served as a Member of the Florida State House of Representatives from 1949 to 1952, and Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Florida in 1952 and 1960. He was also President and director of the Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Harrell, Infant² Unk - 19 Jul 1938 Florida  
Hayden, Ralph Parker 10 Aug 1948 - 6 May 1968 Florida PFC US Army, Vietnam. Heavy Vehicle Driver. KIA
Herbold, Kevin 7 May 1951 - 27 Mar 2006 Florida H/O Linda.
Herst, Herman "Pat" Jr. 17 Mar 1909 - 31 Jan 1999 New York S/O Herman & Lillian (Myers) Herst. H/O Ingebold (Adam) & Ida Busch. A world-class stamp collector, dealer and auctioneer and during his life, Florida's leading philatelist. He donated his collection to Florida Atlantic university, which established the Herst Philatelic Library.
Hickman, Paul William 6 Mar 1895 - 19 May 1971 New York Lived in Pennsylvania prior to FL.
Hill, Lillard Henry 30 Jul 1909 - 26 Feb 1977   H/O Marie
Hill, Marie B. (Engstrom) 22 Apr 1913 - 11 Feb 2004   W/O Lillard
Hill, Lydia Helen 17 Dec 1903 - 20 Jun 1998 New York Moved from Boca to Kissimmee.
Houghton, John 1920 - 1961   H/O Ila. Mason.
Houghton, Ila Marie 1924 - 1961   W/O John
Hurley, Rachel Karin 17 Oct 1975 - 17 Mar 1900 Florida Rachel, 13, was last seen alive on March 17, 1990 at 2:45 p.m., when she left her friends at the Jupiter Beach Inlet Park in Jupiter, Florida. She was supposed to meet her mother at Carlin Park half a mile away, but never arrived. Her mother was searching for her when, at 8:30 that evening, her body was found on the edge of Carlin Park. Rachel had been raped and strangled just 300 yards from where she was supposed to meet her mother. As of Apr. 1, 2006 her murder remains unsolved.
Journigan, Charles Oscar² 1916 - 11 Nov 1939    
Kemp, Dorothy W. 1913 - 1977   MOTHER "She walks in beauty"
Kramer, Clarence J. 9 Dec 1912 - 18 Mar 2002   Died in Ohio.
Kruger, Jack James 4 Mar 1924 - 5 Apr 1976 Michigan S/O John C. & Bernice. WW II, US Navy
LaCorte, Anthony Joseph 11 Aug 1928 - 14 Sep 1993 New York S/O Francesco and Rosaria (Colombo) LaCorte. H/O Margaret Sciacca.
LaMont, Baby Boy² Unk - 29 Mar 1929 Florida S/O John L. LaMont
Lanier, Howard 20 Dec 1920 - 23 Oct 2004 Illinois Long time resident of Utah. S/O Howard & Mabel (LaBrash). H/O Olive May (Oakeson)
Lawrence, Ila Mae Rauch Dunkle 23 Jan 1917 - 13 Nov 2004 Michigan W/O Paul Edward Dunkle (died WW II) and Victor J. Lawrence.
Lawson, Frances 15 Feb 1885 - 29 Jun 1973    
Long, George Ashley² 19 Jul 1854 - 24 Feb 1929 Massachusetts S/O George W. & Mary E. (Nash). H/O Catherine.
Long, Catherine Mary (O'Hare) 28 Aug 1864 - 16 May 1953 Maryland W/O George.
Long, George A.² 1893 - 6 Nov 1939    
Lynch, James Captain Unk - 20 Jun 1918   Died in Deerfield
MacWilliams, Jewell Purdom² 1901 - 10 May 1942    
Magrabi, Contant Elias 21 Jan 1887 - 6 Nov 1965 Egypt Long time resident of NY. H/O Maude. US Army, WW I
Manuel, Elizabeth Hempton 28 May 1918 - 20 Feb 2005    
McSherry, Delores J. Abt. 1939 - 12 Apr 2005    
Mendell, Harry Leon Abt. 1924 - 26 Mar 2006   H/O Orlanda Mendell
Miller, Isidore 1912 - 27 Apr 2005    
Mindel, Gerald Joseph 21 Feb 1949 - 23 Oct 1989 Tobago  
Miner, Alan Joseph 1 Jul 1929 - 7 Dec 1978 New York S/O William & Anita.
Mitchell, Jones Cleveland 28 Jul 1890 - 2 Apr 1955 Alabama H/O Floy C. J.C. Mitchell moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1922. He founded the Boca Raton community Church, was a founder of the First Bank of Boca Raton, the local chapters of the American Legion and the lions Club. He was mayor of Boca Raton for 11 years and a city commissioner for three terms. The second elementary school in town was named for him in 1958 and he was inducted into the Walk of Recognition (plaques to Boca Raton residents who have made special contributions to the city) in 2001.
Montgomery, Robert E. 3 Jan 1895 - 7 Apr 1965 New York US Navy, WW I
Moseley, Bedford Forest² 1866 - 7 Jul 1937   Died in Brevard, NC
Moseley, Nancy² 1870 - 1 Dec 1942   Died in Boynton
Moore, Earle² 1886 - 14 Jul 1938    
Murphy, James T. 9 Dec 1906 - 25 Mar 1967 New York US Army, WW II
Nichols, Baby Boy¹ 1923 - 11 Nov 1923 Florida S/O William G. Nichols. Died in Deerfield
Nichols, Infant¹ 1924 - 2 Nov 1924 Florida Child of William and R.V. Nichols
O'Brien, Bridget "Agnes" Unk - 26 Dec 1999 Ireland Owner of O'Brien Italian Restaurant, Coldenham, NY. D/O Michael & Winifred (Coleman) Donegan.
Oglesby, William W.² 1871 - 22 Nov 1931   Died in Deerfield. Buried in Boca Raton 26 Nov 1931. Moved to Deerfield in 1942
Oehl, Roberta Lynn (Drummond) 18 Apr 1954 - 30 Mar 2000 Michigan  
Parker, Yvonne B. Abt. 1912 - 11 Jun 2005   W/O Huntley Parker, Jr.
Perini, Vincent J. Jr. 1987 - 7 Aug 2005 Florida S/O Vincent Sr. & Annette.
Pope, Abbie L.² 1866 - 6 Aug 1932    
Purdom, William Perry 1868 - Feb 1956 Florida H/O Florence. S/O James & Elizabeth.
Purdom, Florence 6 Dec 1876 - 15 Mar 1966 Florida W/O William
Purdom, Infant 29 Nov 1918 - 5 Dec 1918 Florida  
Quinn, Thomas J. 26 Jan 1913 - 14 Feb 2002   S/O Thomas J. and Mary (Hoffmann) Quinn
Rawlerson, C.J.² 1918 - 8 Sep 1930   Died in Arcadia. Ages 12 yrs, 4 mos, 15 days
Raulerson, Charles 20 Apr 1886 - 20 Oct 1963 Florida S/O William T. & Elizabeth (Motes). H/O Eula.
Raulerson, Eula (Purdom) 24 Feb 1898 - 14 Oct 1996 Florida D/O Perry & Florence (Atkins) Purdom. W/O Charles.
Raulerson, Junior Unk - 24 Apr 1918 Florida S/O Charles & Eula
Regan, Martin Michael 6 Jan 1901 - Oct 1967 New Jersey H/O Genevieve
Regan, Genevieve 1901 - Mar 1961 New Jersey W/O Martin
Riddell, Dorothy (Postler) Abt. 1930 - 3 Jan 2003 New York D/O William & Margaret (Bauman) Postler. W/O George. Died in KY.
Rittenhouse, Louis D. Unk - Abt. 1969 New York World War I Vet. H/O Mabel
Rittenhouse, Mabel Unk - Unk   H/O Louis D.
Rogers, John Edward¹ 1908 - 4 Jul 1918   Died in Deerfield
Rogers, Harold¹ 1910 - 5 Jul 1918   Died in Deerfield
Sarnowski, Joseph Barnard 30 Aug 1893 - 16 May 1966 Poland Lived in NY prior to FL. WW I - SFC 1107 ARPO SQ
Savage, Eliza A.² 26 Jan 1859 - 17 Mar 1937 Texas  
Sellers, Phillip Hardy² 1875 - 30 Apr 1946 South Carolina H/O Ethel.
Sellers, Infant² Unk - 18 Feb 1944 Florida (Paul Sellers)
Sempell, Stephanie 1962 - 1976 Florida Stephanie ran away from her home in Boca Rotan in March 1976. Her body was found in Grassy Key, FL in Dec.1976 and was not identified till Sept. 2004. She was 15 years old at the time. As of Apr. 20, 2006 Stephanie's case is still unsolved.
Sistrunk, Martha E.¹ 1866 - 21 Mary 1917   WO William H. Sistrunk
Smiley, Infant² Unk - 12 Jul 1929 Florida Child of T.B. Smiley
Smith, Sarah Ann Abt. 1848 - 28 Jan 1920   Sarah is buried with the Carroll family. Perhaps she is the mother of Martha F. Carroll. Died in Yamato
Smith, Infant² Unk - 3 May 1933*    
Sprague, Francis Mulhern 7 Apr 1923 - 24 Jul 1997    
Speranza, Joseph T. 30 Sep 1911 - 6 Jul 2005 Italy Died in Margate
Stokes, Charles William² 13 Dec 1855 - 4 Jan 1940 New Hampshire  
Stenander, Swan E.² 1892 - 8 Jun 1938    
Stenander, Hester² 1890 - 31 Jul 1939    
Stokes, Charles William 1855 - 1940 New Hampshire H/O Ella. S/O John & Charlotte Stokes.
Stokes, Ella Captolia² 23 Dec 1858 - 3 Nov 1944 Wisconsin W/O Charles.
Strauss, Charles James Jr. 11 Mar 1903 - 9 Dec 1963 West Virginia S/O Karl & Margaurete. H/O Maire (Slatterick). Moved to Boca Raton in 1954.
Townsend, William S. 1844 - 22 Jan 1923   Died in Boca Raton
Strauss, Maire (Slatterick) 11 Feb 1902 - 13 Mar 1994 Austria W/O Charles
Tate, Eva Grace² 1873 - 19 Dec 1939    
Townsend, Eliza A.² 24 Mar 1871 - 7 Feb 1936 Florida W/O William. Died in Miami
Wehrstein-Gardner, Charles K. 27 Aug 1925 - 4 May 1992   US Navy, WW II. Lived in Illinois.
Wetherington, Ernest² Feb 1938 - 27 Mar 1938   Age 2 mths. Nephew of Welton Smith
Whitener, Henry E. 4 Aug 1895 - 11 Oct 1968 North Carolina H/O Mildred. WW I - SGT, Air Service.
Whitener, Mildred L. 15 Oct 1905 - 22 Jan 1975   W/O Henry.
Wittschen, John George² 1887 - 8 Apr 1948    
Woodard, E. Mrs.¹ 1865 - 17 Nov 1917    
Yeakle, Thomas John "Jake" Abt. 1926 - 1 Oct 2003   H/O Kathleen