Cemeteries

CEMETERIES

Oak Hill / Oak Crest - Downers Grove Illinois

Oak Hill and Oak Crest cemeteries are located between Maple Avenue and Howard Street, in unincorporated Downers Grove, and Lisle Township.

In 1835 Dexter Stanley, son of John Stanley, bought a large acreage of land at Belmont and Maple. On this land is where Oak Hill got it's start. The first burial there in the Stanley Cemetery was Luther Farrar, son in-law of Dexter Stanley, husband of Emaline Stanley Farrar, back in 1836. In the mid 1800’s people of Downers Grove used the Main Street Cemetery but due to the St. Joseph Creek, which crested in the spring and became icy in the winter, people found it hard to bury their loved ones. Also as the Main Street Cemetery became filled, the local people asked Dexter Stanley for his help. They requested a small parcel of land on the Stanley farm and it was named the Westside Cemetery. As years went on it became Oak Hill because it was the highest part of land in the area.

Some local families buried at Oak Hill are, Downer Stanley, Dixon, Carpenter and Rogers to name a few.

Oak Crest is located between Howard Street and Elmore in unincorporated Downers Grove and part lies in Lisle Township.

Oak Crest Cemetery, once called Blodgett, was a privately-owned cemetery. During the life time of Mr. William Blodgett he sold lots in Oak Crest, but at no time did he own the land. Records show that in August of 1936 Florence L. Kester and her husband Reg. Ekstrom Jr. were the owners of the land. On December 5, 1936 the Kester’s conveyed the cemetery property to Edith Blodgett. Mr. Blodgett died on February 8, 1933 On March 22, 1939 Ms. Blodgett conveyed part of the property to Olive M. Carlson. Records also show that on May 15,1945 Olive M. Carlson conveyed the cemetery to William and Harriet Prince Parrish. On July 17,1945 Edith G. Blodgett conveyed the remaining land to the Parrish’s, also. In 1960 before William Parrish died, he sold the land to Fred & Mae Marvin who already had Oak Hill. Since they could not afford a high price, Mr. Parrish sold it to them for $10.00.

The first woman senator in Illinois, Lottie Holman O’Neil, is buried at Oak Crest along with the Cooper, Parrish and Herrick family. Also, Duke Schluder and former Downers Grove Postmaster Kellog are buried there. Since 1985 the Downers Grove Township has been the caretaker of Oak Hill/Oak Crest Cemeteries. Although all the lots in Oak Hill have been sold, people are still able to buy lots in Oak Crest. Many of the original lot owners in Oak Hill are still being buried there today. Anyone interested in buying lots may contact the Supervisor's office at (630) 968-0451.

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