Masonic gravestones commemorate a life proudly well lived under the Creator's hand.
These cemetery headstones can be found throughout the world.
These old Masonic granite headstones with their Masonic
symbol and emblem inscriptions are in the Barnard Masonic Cemetery in Barnard, Missouri.


Odd Fellows Obelisk Stone of:
Captain Valentine Korell
Died Apr. 22, 1887
57 Y, 1 M, 11 D
Vertical headstones like this one are called obelisks, an Egyptian art style
which has been used for thousands of years. Below is a close-up
of the above stone. The black around the lettering is from environmental
damage which is slowly eroding the words and symbols.

Notice that there is no
"G" inside the square and compasses.

Samuel H. Conlin
1855 to 1924

Francis M. Blagg
Born May 26, 1845
Died Dec. 1, 1901

John Paul
1886 to 1947
With Shrine Emblem

Closeup Of Shrine Emblem

This Odd Fellows obelisk gravestone which is over 100 years old, stands
approximately 8 feet tall.
See Close-up, below.

Valentine F.S.
Son of M. & E. Korell
Born Feb. 5, 1862
Died Dec. 18, 1886
This stone has 3 chain links symbolizing the eternal cable tow between brothers in which is chiseled into this elaborate grave marker.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization with similar symbols to Freemasonry's, use the 3 chain links as one of their symbols. The 3 links stand for Friendship, Love and Truth, (F.L.T.). This stone marks the grave of a member of the Odd Fellows.
Due to the similarities in symbolism between Freemasons and Oddfellows, sometimes it is difficult to clearly distinguish between these stones.