I have to warn you in advance, today's post is going to be a little dead. But the subject matter is of grave importance...or maybe I should say the subject matter is an important grave. Let me explain!

Springdale Cemetery is an historical cemetery and attraction here in Peoria. The cemetery was founded in 1854 and there’s now over 80,000 people buried here and they estimate they can bury at least 50,000 more. Which is good because people are really dying to get here. (Oof, sorry about that, I just couldn't help myself!)

There’s a lot of people buried here that have left their mark on this earth and you can see them on this list right here. Two people that aren’t on the list and really should be are Captain Jinks and Salty Sam. Back in 2009 they put a grave stone on the burial plot of George Baseleon, who was better known around Peoria as Salty Sam. Until then he had an unmarked grave and after some fundraising they put a special grave stone on his plot in honor of The Captain Jinks and Salty Sam Show. I’ve always meant to go out to Springdale Cemetery and pay my respects to Captain and Salty and today is that day. Away we go, mateys!

They recently up-graded the entrance to the cemetery and you can see a video of the dedication ceremony held last Friday right here. It looks really nice and I went in to the office area to find out where the Captain Jinks and Salty Sam grave site was.

They were a little camera-shy in there and didn’t want any photos, so I didn’t take any. they were very helpful about finding the grave though and printed me out this handy-dandy map! So let’s go find Captain and Salty!

I’ve always thought that cemetery's should really be called a “field of death.” I mean that’s what they are after all and I have no idea who came up with the name, “cemetery.” I suppose I could Google it, but that’s not going to happen today. Right now I’m hoping we’re not lost because I’m not seeing the Captain and Salty gravesite.

I took a closer look at the map and the area that’s got the grave is a section called, "The Glen." I looked up from the map and saw...

The Glen! We’re here, let’s go find Captain Jinks and Salty Sam!

Wow, there’s a lot of graves out here, hope this doesn’t take too long because I have to get into work in about an hour!

That’s a nice bouquet of flowers on this grave stone.

But yet there’s no flowers on this stone that says, “Flowers.” Oh the irony of it all. It just kills me and I’m in the right place for that to happen!

There’s Hamilton, I’m guessing Joe Frank and Reynolds must be close by.

What a perfect name to have on a grave stone!

Hey, shouldn’t this be out at the Wheels O’ Time Museum?

I guess it’s a little late for Fern to get happy.

Hey, I think I see something over there in the distance...

There it is, the Captain Jinks and Salty Sam memorial grave stone. It’s really nice and has an autographed, classic photo of the Captain and Salty on it.

It also notes the years they were alive and their real names. The Captain was Stanley J. Lonergan and Salty was George T. Baseleon.

The back of the grave stone has the names that Peorians will always remember them by, Captain Jinks and Salty Sam.

If you’re ever near Springdale Cemetery, you should stop and pay respects to Captain Jinks and Salty Sam, two of Peoria’s most beloved TV personalities!