Riverside Cemetery Defiance

CONTACT INFORMATION

Riverside Cemetery
1417 South Clinton St.
Defiance, Ohio 43512

419.784.2253
or 419.576.6342

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
After Hours:
419.784.2745
Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL MAUSOLEUM

The Riverside Memorial Mausoleum, south of the entrance drive, was started in July 1926 and dedicated Oct. 16th, 1927 in Riverside Cemetery by a citizens’ group. Its cost was approximately $150,000. Of reinforced monolithic concrete construction, exterior faced with stone and interior decorated with marble, the mausoleum is notable both for its permanence and for its beauty. Proceeds from the sale of crypts created a perpetual care fund sufficient for the future maintenance of the building. This is administered by the trustees of the non-profit Defiance Mausoleum Association.

RIVERSIDE CHAPEL

“The Cemetery Chapel was built in 1888, by John Demann and W. S. and A. G. McClary with assistance from Architect Jonathan I. Hale. This Gothic Revival structure consists of a slate gabled roof and a true Gothic ceiling done by expert craftsmen. The exterior walls are built of limestone with handsome beltcoursings of portage red stone. The chapel room is 22 feet by 34 feet with an additional bay for the lowering apparatus used to lower bodies into the vault. The massive doors and window frames are handsomely done in natural pine. The floor is Georgian marble carried on segmental brick arches between steel beams. The interior walls are stucco, delicately tinted from terra cotta to a light blue. There is a handsome mantel and open grate of glass tile from Europe.”
­­— Defiance Public Library

This is probably one of the best examples of Gothic Revival style in this area. The original cost of the building was $8,500.

The chapel is the property of the City of Defiance. The interior of the Chapel is cared for by the Fort Defiance Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The chapel is currently used for small weddings, funerals, and/or committal services. If interested, please contact Helen Frey of the Fort Defiance DAR at 419.784.3257.

Riverview Memory Gardens, Defiance

 29231 County Road 424 Defiance, Ohio 43512

Phone Number:    419-782-7027

E-mail:  trish@riverviewmemorygardens.org

Riverview Memory Gardens was founded in 1963 by J.W. and Edna LeMaster.  Today it has grown into over 30 developed acres, a 1530 crypt main mausoleum with memorial service chapel and one of four planned garden mausoleums.  Riverview offers traditional ground burial, private family estates, interior and exterior mausoleum crypts, as well as cremation niches.  Riverview is an Ohio non-profit, private cemetery offering Northwest Ohio a beautiful garden setting to remember their loved ones.     Riverview is currently operated by Trish and Mark Speiser.

Other Cemeteries

Forest Lawn Cemetery Hicksville

707 North Main Street (Ohio State Route 18)
Hicksville, Defiance County, Ohio, 43526 USA