Former Cemetery Caretaker Faces Nearly 70 Felony Charges for Alleged Grave Site Scam

REYNOLDSVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – A former Clearfield man – who is already serving more than 20 years in state prison – currently faces more time behind bars on charges relating to cheating nearly two dozen people out of $53,380.00 they paid him to take care of their loved ones’ grave sites.

According to court documents, DuBois-based State Police filed criminal charges against 70-year-old Edmund Grenier, Jr., an inmate at the Centre County Correctional Facility in Bellefonte.

Grenier was the caretaker of Lakelawn Memorial Park Cemetery/Northern Tier Pet Cemetery in Reynoldsville.

According to a criminal complaint, Grenier is accused of failing to order, deliver, and install various grave site markers such as granite stones and bronze markers, vases, scrolls, and inscriptions, which were purchased and paid in full by 22 different victims. He also failed to deposit the victims’ monies in the Perpetual Care Fund or the Merchandise Fund he was required to maintain.

The criminal complaint indicates that between July 1, 2011, and May 6, 2015, 22 known victims signed contracts for granite stones, bronze markers, vases, scrolls, and inscriptions, which were paid in full for the following amounts:

• $2,795
• $3,045
• $1,265
• $290 (scroll)
• $450 (vase)
• $290 (scroll)
• $2,945
• $854 (pet marker)
• $2,845
• $2,795
• $3,445
• $3,645
• $3,245
• $2,995
• $2,645
• $2,600
• $2,945
• $2,645
• $2,795
• $2,795
• $2,795
• $3,245

The amount of purchases totals $53,380.00.

On May 6, 2015, Attorney Jeffrey Gordon was made Receiver of Grenier Enterprises, Inc./Lakelawn Memorial Park by Jefferson County Judge John Foradora. Gordon provided bank account numbers for two checking accounts, two business accounts, a savings/perpetual care fund account, and a savings/merchandise fund account at a local bank, which Grenier utilized for his business, the complaint states.

After Attorney Jeffrey Gordon was assigned Receiver, he closed out the perpetual care fund account which only had $8.03 in it. There were never any deposits made other than an original $50.00 on the day it opened. Every three months, the bank subtracted a $6.00 maintenance fee, which gradually depleted the savings account to $8.03 by the time Gordon closed it, according to the complaint.

Attorney Gordon also closed out the merchandise fund account which had no money in it, the complaint continues.

As a result of an investigation by Trooper Strishock, of PSP DuBois, criminal charges were filed against Grenier in District Judge David B. Inzana’s office.

He was arraigned at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, August 1, on the following charges:

• Deceptive Business Practice – Sale Less Than Quantity, Felony 2 (22 counts)
• Theft By Deception – False Impression, Felony 3 (22 counts)
• Theft By Failure To Make Required Disposition of Funds, Felony 3 (22 counts)

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. with Judge Inzana presiding.

Grenier is also currently facing charges in Clearfield County for similar practices while he was in charge of Crown Crest Cemetery in Lawrence Township.