It’s still a mystery as to how the gravestone of J.J. Hlavac ended up in Marne Creek. But it’s no longer a mystery as to where the gravestone belongs. It was returned to its original resting place in the ZCBJ Czech Cemetery just south of Tabor last week, thanks to the efforts of a Nebraska genealogy enthusiast.
And for that, Hlavac’s family is grateful. “We are just thrilled that it is back where it belongs,” said Mary Ann Vanecek. Hlavac was the grandfather of Vanecek’s husband, Alvin.
When Brad Kellogg called her recently about the gravestone, Vanecek said she felt it was nothing short of a miracle.
Kellogg is the administrator for www.southdakotagravestones.org, a nonprofit Web site that collects photos of South Dakota gravestones for genealogical purposes.
You can read the full story in an article by Nathan Johnson in the Press & Dakotan at http://www.yankton.net/articles/2009/09/14/community/doc4aadba8c05d51231366619.txt.
