When Joseph Simmers died in 1821, his family could not afford a stone to mark his grave.

Nearly 200 years later, his great-great-great-great-granddaughter, Donna Paszek, plans to honor him at Buffalo Cemetery in Sarver with the headstone and ceremony he never had.

Joined by American Legion Post 683 and VFW Post 7376, both in Saxonburg, Paszek and her relatives will hold a ceremony Sept. 12 to pay homage to Simmers and recognize his service in the War of 1812.

"A lot of people don't know that you can get these stones from the government," said Paszek, who lives in West Deer Township.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will provide a government headstone or marker for the grave of any deceased veteran in any cemetery around the world, she said.

Paszek is a member of the Daughters of 1812, an organization devoted to the preservation of historical documents and relics. The organization provided her with a suggested program format that includes a dedication, prayers and a biography of Simmers.

Paszek and a friend even sewed a historically accurate flag of 1812.

Paszek took up genealogy when she retired and became immersed in stories of her relatives.

"To have discovered all of this history in the United States of America that you love so much — it's so meaningful," she said. "You get to love these people as if you knew them."

When Simmers died, he left his wife with six children under the age of 10, and the family could not afford the expense of a headstone.

"They were literally dirt poor," Paszek said.

By reading obituaries, Paszek learned Joseph's wife, Jane, was buried in the Buffalo Cemetery.

"It stood to reason that if she was buried there, her husband would be there," Paszek said.

Jane's grave is marked, so the new headstone was placed next to it.

The Buffalo Church Cemetery Association, which is no longer affiliated with the church itself, does not have much specific information about older plots.

"Many of the markers you can't even read any longer," said Carolyn Paulsen, who represents the association.

Generations ago, a fire destroyed the cemetery's records, Paulsen said.

"We really have no written record, other than the tombstones," she said. "Donna had evidently done a lot of research and learned that they were in the cemetery there."

Because Paszek could not identify any other specific plots, she decided to honor the other relatives buried there by including their names on Joseph's stone.

Engraved on the back are the names of Joseph and Jane's son, James, and James' first wife, Elizabeth, and second wife, Sabine.

These are not the only family members she has honored — she also has obtained headstones for Joseph Simmers' father and grandson.

Similar events were held in 2008 to recognize Revolutionary War veteran George Simmers at Bull Creek Cemetery and in 2004 to honor Civil War veteran Joseph Rittner Simmers in Braddock Cemetery.

"They were never honored or given any kind of recognition," Paszek said. "When there's no tombstone, it's like they never existed. I just feel they should be honored."

More than 80 people are expected to attend the dedication at Buffalo Cemetery.

History buffs and those interested in genealogy would appreciate the ceremony, said Virginia Shirey, clerk of session at Buffalo Presbyterian Church.

"It might be interesting to find out what the connection is," Shirey said. "These were some of the early people who established Butler County."

Even Paszek's nephew, Collin Burns, 11, has become interested in the family's history.

Last year, he had to miss a Boy Scout event to attend the ceremony for George Simmers. He was disappointed at first, but was moved by the ceremony and even participated by placing a wreath against the stone, Paszek said.

"At the end, he came up to me and said 'Aunt Donna, I'm so glad I came. This was so nice,' and gave me a big hug," she said.

According to Paszek, that is the purpose of her efforts — recognizing those who came before us and educating the next generation.

"I want these stones standing there forever," Paszek said. "They deserve it."

<B>WHAT: </B>Dedication of new headstone for Joseph Simmers, War of 1812 veteran<B>WHERE: </B>Buffalo Cemetery, adjacent to Buffalo United Presbyterian Church, 678 Sarver Road, Sarver<B>WHEN: </B>11 a.m. Sept 12<B>INFO: </B>For information, call Donna Paszek at 724-265-3451.