VA national cemetery
Marion National Cemetery
Marion, Indiana
Location
1700 E 38th Street
Marion, IN 46952
Visiting
- Address
- 1700 E 38th Street, Marion, IN 46952
- Phone
- 765-674-0284
- Visiting hours
- Open daily from sunrise to sunset. The cemetery gate is closed at 6:00 p.m., but visitors can still access the cemetery through the VA Medical Center Main Gate.
- Office hours
- Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day.
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
- Burial space
- Open
- Accessibility
- Not yet verified
- The cemetery’s Facebook page
- Official page
- cem.va.gov
Flowers and grounds policy, from the VA
Natural, fresh-cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year and will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations. Plastic floral cones are available for use and are located in containers throughout the cemetery.
Artificial flowers are permitted on graves only from October 10 through April 15. Christmas wreaths, grave blankets and other seasonal adornments may be placed on graves from December 1 through January 20.
Place all columbarium flowers, wreaths, etc., at the base of the columbarium beneath the niches.
One small American flag may be placed on the grave or at the base of the columbarium beneath the niches and will be removed when it is damaged, faded or tattered.
At no time shall any object be attached to a grave marker or niche cover, protrude above the top of an upright headstone, or encroach on an adjacent grave.
To preserve the dignity and appearance of the cemetery, the following items are prohibited:
- Alcoholic products or other similar items
- Balloons, pinwheels, wind chimes, lights, candles, statues, stuffed animals, or other similar items
- Decorative and breakable glass or plastic items such as: vigil lights, glass vases or decorative glass
- Non-government supplied floral containers (pots, planters, vases, etc.)
- Any objects that could become projectiles when caught in grounds maintenance equipment (such as rocks, coins, or other small durable objects)
- Offensive items or those deemed inconsistent with the cemetery setting
- Permanent in-ground plantings
- Weapons of any kind, explosives, or ammunition
- Any object attached to headstones, markers, or niche covers
Using permanent markers or paint on headstones is always strictly prohibited.
Cemetery personnel will inspect each grave for unsightly or unauthorized items on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Durable items removed from graves will be held for one month. These items remain property of the donor but are under custodianship of the cemetery. If not claimed within 30 days, they are governed by rules for disposal of federal property.
Weapons Policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
General information, from the VA
Military Funeral Honors
Military Funeral Honors may be obtained through your local funeral home using the Department of Defense Military Honors program.
Directions from Nearest Airport
Marion National Cemetery, located on the east side of the Department of Veterans Affairs Northern Indiana Health Care System in the southeast section of the city, is bounded by 38th Street and Lincoln Boulevard.
From the South and Indianapolis Airport: Take the I-465 Beltway North to I-465E to I-69 North (Fort Wayne). Take Exit 259 (Gas City/Upland). Make a left turn on IN-22 (Gas City). At the intersection of 1st and Main Street, turn right and continue on 1st Street for approximately 1½ miles until it ends at a "T" intersection with 200 S. Turn left at 200 S, which becomes 38th Street. Cemetery is on the left.
From the North (Ft Wayne, IN): Go to I-69 S (Indianapolis) to Exit 264 (Marion/Montpelier). Turn right on to IN-18. Travel three miles and turn left on to County Road 400S. Travel two miles to County Road 200. Turn right on to County Road 200W. Travel approximately 1.5 miles cross railroad track and the cemetery is immediately to the left.
From the East (Muncie, IN): Go west on US-35 continue on US 35W/I 69 North (Ft Wayne). Take Exit 259 (Gas City/Upland). Make a left turn on IN-22 (Gas City). At the intersection of 1st and Main Street, turn right and continue on 1st Street for approximately 1½ miles until it ends at a "T" intersection with CR 200 S. Turn left at CR 200 S, which becomes 38th Street. Cemetery is on the left.
From the West (Kokomo, IN): Go east on IN-22 towards Marion. Turn left on IN-37 North. Continue straight on Washington Street. Make a right turn on 38th Street. Stay on 38th Street for approximately one mile. The cemetery is located on the right.
Pay your respects
Visitors to veterans’ graves sometimes leave a coin on the headstone to show that someone came. You can leave a symbolic coin here. No money is involved, and nothing about you is published. About the custom, and what each coin is said to mean.
History
Reproduced from the VA National Cemetery Administration’s page for this cemetery, retrieved November 11, 2026. This is the VA’s text, unedited; it is not independent research by this site.
In 1888, Colonel George W. Steele, Indiana's congressional representative, successfully convinced his colleagues in Washington, D.C. of the need for a Soldier's Home in Grant County. Subsequently, the 31-acre Marion Branch of the National Home opened in 1889 to provide shelter and comfort for the region's veterans. Along with the home, a cemetery was established for the interment of the men who died there. The first burial occurred two years after the home opened in May 1890. For most of its history, the cemetery at the Marion Home has quietly and efficiently cared for the needs of the nation's veterans with few significant changes.
In 1920, the home was renamed Marion Sanatorium and in 1930, administration of the home was transferred to the newly created Veterans Administration. Additional acreage was transferred from the Veterans Health Administration twice in the cemetery's history. Six acres were added in 1974 and six more in 1988. As of 1973, with the passage of the National Cemetery Act, the cemetery became part of the National Cemetery system and its name was changed to Marion National Cemetery.
Marion National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Monuments and Memorials
The Remember the Maine monument was erected in 1901 in honor of the lives lost in Cuba's Havana Harbor during the Spanish-American War.
A monument dedicated to the Minnesota 2nd Regiment was erected at the cemetery in 1913.
A commemorative sundial was installed at the cemetery in the early 20th century.
The Carillon bell tower was erected around 1990 as part of the American Veterans international carillon program to provide living memorials in honor of American veterans.
The Vietnam Memorial was erected in 1990 and dedicated to those who fought or died in the Vietnam War.
The Blue Star Memorial Marker was donated by The Garden Club of Marion and Veteran of Foreign Wars San Mateo Post #60 and dedicated on April 23, 2005.
Notable burials and memorials
Reproduced from the VA’s page for this cemetery, retrieved November 11, 2026, including Medal of Honor recipients where the VA lists them. Links lead to the VA’s own records. To correct an entry, contact the VA; to tell us our copy is out of date, report it.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 435 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
» Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
Sergeant Henry J. Hyde (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company M, 1st U.S. Cavalry, for gallant conduct during winter 1872–1873. Hyde died in 1893 and is buried in Section 1, Site 97.
Seaman Nicholas Irwin (Civil War). Irwin received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions on board the USS Brooklyn during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 5, 1864. He died in 1896 and is buried in Section 1, Site 382.
Captain Jeremiah Kuder (Civil War). Kuder received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 74th Indiana Infantry, for actions at Jonesboro, GA, September 1, 1864. Kuder died in 1916 and is buried in Section 4, Site 2464.
Other Burials
Private Gerald Dixon (World War I). Dixon (1896–1967) was born in Seymore, IN. He never finished grade school and worked as a messenger in a railroad office until he enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 27, 1914, at the age of 17. He was one of 110 soldiers in the 24th Infantry Regiment who were convicted and sentenced to life in prison for their involvement in the 1917 Camp Logan Riot. Dixon maintained his innocence, but was convicted through guilt by association and sent to Leavenworth Penitentiary. His sentence was later commuted by J. Edgar Hoover, and he was released on parole effective September 17, 1924. Dixon passed away in October 1967 and was laid to rest at the Estates of Serenity in Marion, IN. On November 13, 2023, the Army set aside the courts-martial of all 110 convicted soldiers, including Dixon, making him eligible for burial in a national cemetery. On October 28, 2024, Dixon and his wife were reinterred at Marion National Cemetery. They now rest in Section 12, Site 340.
William (Willis) H. Furbush was born in Kentucky ca. 1840, and little is known of his childhood. He was literate and an accomplished photographer. Furbush enlisted in the Army in February 1865, joining the 42nd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry. Sgt. Furbush was honorably discharged in October, and in 1866, he went with the American Colonization Society to Liberia. Furbush returned to the United States when Reconstruction offered political and economic opportunities to African Americans. He was elected to the Arkansas General Assembly in 1872. Furbush's career received mixed reviews because he supported civil rights and was a conservative collaborator with white Democrats during this period. Furbush entered the Marion Branch of the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in October 1901 and died September 3, 1902 (Section 1, Site 774).
Nearby veterans cemeteries
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. Find a Cemetery: all national cemeteries, and each cemetery’s own page. U.S. government work (public domain). Retrieved November 11, 2026. Used for: name, address, phone and burial-space status, hours, policies, history and notable burials.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. Marion National Cemetery (official cemetery page). Retrieved November 11, 2026.
- Map position: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. VA National Cemetery Sites (dataset).