Stoker Cemetery

Randolph County, Illinois

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs were taken by Gary Soper in 2000.
He kindly provided them to Joel S. Russell for this website.
Special thanks to Ken Soper who helped identify various graves pictured.

Stoker Cemetery is one of Percy's oldest cemeteries. This cemetery has struggled to survive for many years. In 1976, Mr. Willis wrote: "...it is completely overgrown, with several stones broken and others covered with brush... if someone does not begin an effort to restore it, the cemetery will soon be lost forever."

Years later, reports indicated the cemetery had been vandalized. The cemetery remains overgrown and contains many broken and fallen stones, as shown in the photographs below.

Stoker Cemetery in 1994 (photo by Joel S. Russell)

The entrance to Stoker Cemetery in 2000. It is one of Percy's oldest cemeteries.

Map showing the location of Stoker Cemetery

Overview photograph showing the state of the cemetery in 2000

The cemetery is overgrown and contains many broken and fallen stones

Many stones are broken or have fallen over the years

In 1908 or 1909, the creek that runs beside Stoker Cemetery flooded, leaving some graves exposed. Several graves were moved to be a safer distance from the creek.

The creek that runs beside Stoker Cemetery

Another view of the creek adjacent to the cemetery

This collection shows various grave markers photographed by Gary Soper in 2000. Many of these stones date back to the early and mid-1800s, documenting the lives of Percy's earliest settlers.

Mary G. Killgrove
Born: November 17, 1804
Died: August 9, 1846
Wife of (1) Josiah Monteith and (2) Samuel Wesley Higgerson

Thomas J. Guymon
Born: October 4, 1817
Died: December 20, 1878
Husband of Frances H. Killgrove
(Remnants of grave marker)

Albert K. Killgrove
Born: March 7, 1848
Died: October 4, 1914
Husband of Nancy Jane Higgerson
Son of John Howell Killgrove

Benjamin Soper
Born: December 29, 1828
Died: September 7, 1901
Husband of Sarah Frances Higgerson

Sarah Frances Higgerson
Born: January 2, 1840
Died: April 11, 1923
Wife of Benjamin Soper

Common stone erected for Benjamin and Sarah Soper. The base is visible in the background.

Remnant of the marker for
Abel Wesley Higgerson
Born: January 2, 1852
Died: January 27, 1929
Son of Samuel W. Higgerson & Angeline Broughton

New stone erected for Abel Higgerson and his wife Delpha Ezel

Remnant of marker for
Richard Robison
Died: October 25, 1875
Age: 66 years, 7 months and 4 days

James Clark Montieth
Born: September 29, 1829
Died: February 13, 1889
Son of Mary G. Killgrove and Josiah Monteith

Sarah Ann Bilderback
Born: October 30, 1831
Died: January 14, 1892
Wife of James Clark Monteith

Charlotte Soper
Born: February 18, 1832
Died: November 20, 1885
2nd wife of Robert Soper (whose inscription is on the opposite side)

This final collection includes photographs from both 1994 and 2000, showing the condition of various grave markers over time. Several markers show significant deterioration, with some stones barely legible.

Mary E. Russell (1994 photo)
Born: June 20, 1849
Died: June 2, 1900
Wife of Heinrich Anton Deppe
(Photo by Joel S. Russell)

Bertha M. Jacoby
Born: October 7, 1894
Died: November 17, 1896

Minnie G. Jacoby
Born: February 14, 1897
Died: March 21, 1898

Mary E. Russell (2000 photo)
Born: June 20, 1849
Died: June 2, 1900
Wife of Heinrich Anton Deppe

Infant son Jacoby
Born: August 4, 1884
Died: August 6, 1884

Julius W. Jacoby
Born: December 1, 1890
Died: January 30, 1891

Ada Pearl Deppe (1994 photo)
Born: June 26, 1885
Died: February 16, 1891
Daughter of Henry Deppe and Mary Russell
(Photo by Joel S. Russell)

Partially illegible marker
All that can be made out is "John M."

Illegible marker
Only the initials "G. H. S." can be made out on this stone

Known Burials