WINNEBAGO CO. (WTAQ-WLUK) — Bradley Bloch will serve 45 days in jail and pay over 5,700 dollars in restitution after pleading guilty to stealing six historic grave markers from a Fox Crossing cemetery.
The 59 year old was first arrested last year after the Fox Crossing Police Department discovered the crosses were sold on Facebook.
Since the arrest, the crosses have been in evidence, unable to return to St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
“Our primary goal from the beginning was to recover these markers,” said Cemetery Coordinator and Sexton Peter Krautkramer. “That was the most important. We feel that the people buried at the cemetery have dignity and we want to make sure that they’re identified as being buried in the cemetery. So that was our primary concern, but we’re glad that there’s an element of justice as well.”
Krautkramer has attended every court date for Bloch’s case.
He said he’s been in contact with family members and descendants of those whose markers were stolen.
“They of course, they were appalled by that, but I think they’ll be satisfied knowing that they’ll be coming back to the cemetery,” he said.
The crosses, each over 150 years old, were molded at the now-defunct Menasha Foundry.
Krautkramer explained they weigh around 100 pounds and would have cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 each to replace.
“We’ll have to do some repair, and conservation, and preparation before we can put those back into the cemetery.” He continued, “Work hopefully will take place over the winter to do those repairs that are necessary and if everything goes right, they should be replaced into the cemetery by the spring.”
Bloch did not address the cemetery or families during Monday’s hearing.
