A conversation between the City of Kalona and Shiloh Church reached a challenging topic when relocating a cemetery was mentioned.

Shiloh has a small cemetery with a mausoleum and columbarium in the center of the property between Nutmeg Avenue and 133rd Street. This area is considered to be a prime location for potential residential development. Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, Mayor Ken Herrington, members of the City Council, and Shiloh Director Steve Rich discussed the possibility of moving the cemetery at their recent work session. There is a larger cemetery located on the east side of the property.

Mayor Herrington says it’s important to look at freeing up this space, “It would be a detriment to development to have it in the middle of the property. If there’s any possibility that it could be moved to the other cemetery, that’s something I think the council has discussed.”

There are 16 full burials and 23 cremations. Schlabaugh suggested that if they were to relocate the cemetery, it would take a team effort to work with funeral directors to contact families for input. To locate full-burial graves, a state permit is also required. Kalona City Officials and Shiloh Director Rich agreed that relocating is something that’s worth pursuing.