East Union Cemetery has long been home to much of the history of Manteca.

And the hope is for that to continue on for generations to come.

On Monday, the East Union Cemetery Association held a special Veterans Day ceremony, took a step towards that by dedicating the columbaria niches, which serves as final resting places in the form of a vault for cremation urns.

All told, five columbaria towers – completed back in October 2023 next to the recently installed Veterans Memorial – contain 160 niches each, designed in light gray and black flecked.

Janice Zacharias, president of the EU Cemetery, credited former elected leader and board member of the local cemetery Willie Weatherford for providing the inspiration of the columbaria niches, a memorial honoring the 475 military personnel.

She also served as masters of ceremony at the special event consisting of Richard Hiatt, Jimmy Walker, and Art Smith conducting presentation of the flag, and Councilman Charlie Halford – he, too, is part of the cemetery board – providing Zacharias and the EU Cemetery Association with a certificate of recognition from the City of Manteca.

While those involved with EU Cemetery managed to fundraise enough to provide the concrete foundation, she noted that it was Weatherford who sought out the financial assistance.

Enter the Raymus family’s Building Dreams Foundation.

Zacharias acknowledged the Raymus family foundation – Bob and Toni Raymus were also in attendance – for playing a large part in making this project possible.

“This is a place where we can perpetually honor our veterans,” she said.

Zacharias shared the early history of the cemetery, which was originally at “Union corner, two miles east of Lathrop” since Manteca had not yet been established as a city. 

By 1892, she noted that this area had a school, church, and, of course, the cemetery. The church and school, however, were both lost to fires while the cemetery had “little care.” But it was Henrietta Reynolds who played a big role in the preservation of the cemetery.

“On this Veterans Day, it is significant that these hollow grounds at East Union Cemetery is where we honor those who sacrificed for their country,” Zacharias added.

Each of these light grey, black-flecked towers has 160 niches, and each niche can hold one to three cremation (ash) urns, depending on the size of the urn chosen.

The pioneer cemetery on the southwest corner of Union Road and Louise Avenue is now in its 152nd  year.

Although there are 3,300 that hold remains, there are 600 full burial plots and 1,000 plus cremation burial sites left in addition to the niches.

The cemetery office is open from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

You can call (209) 823-8533 or email eastunioncemetery@gmail.com.