Date: March 9, 2026
Title: Cemetery Secretary
Speaker: Twila Lobitz
Description: Cemetery research is a valuable but often overlooked genealogical resource. Headstones, burial records, and cemetery histories can reveal family relationships, military service, migration patterns, and more. This presentation covers practical tips for researching cemeteries in person and online, interpreting gravestone clues, and using cemetery evidence to advance your family history research.
Biography: Twila hails from the great state of Pennsylvania, where her deep roots sparked a lifelong passion for family history. Over 30 years ago, she moved to Arizona, for family and career opportunities and now proudly calls it home. She works as a Quality Specialist Data Analyst; however, genealogy is her passion. She has researched for more than 25 years, studying DNA, attending seminars, workshops, and events such as RootsTech.
Twila serves as co-Registrar for WVGS, Secretary of her Bitler Family Reunion, State Chaplain for the Arizona State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Honorary Chapter Regent of the Agua Fria Chapter DAR in Sun City.
She and her husband Ron enjoy “ancestor-hunting” trips to Pennsylvania, often tombstone touring as proud taphophiles. Above all, Twila treasures time with her family, especially her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons, who bring her the greatest joy.
Handout: The handout is available. Please bring a copy to the Meeting.
In-person meetings are held at the First Presbyterian Church located at 12225 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. (click here for map) – will open in new tab in your web browser)
Please arrive after 12:30 pm to sign up for classes, SIGs, or the 2025 Seminar, ask questions of a Board Member or Committee Chairperson, etc. Note: We will not be offering coffee at this time.
The short business meeting will start at 1:00 pm sharp followed by our featured speaker.
FROM DUPLICATE BOOKS TEAM
Books will be available for purchase at the meeting.
Jill Mitchell, Elaine Wright, and Della Jones
WVGS Duplicate Book Sales team
Please bring Aluminum Cans & Plastic Bottles to the
Membership Meeting
We appreciate your efforts to collect these items and dropping them off at our Membership Meetings. We especially thank you for collecting from your neighbors and friends. Please be sure to let these helpers know the best way to help us collect and recycle.
Remember, bring them to the church, NOT the Library!
| Not These | Only Clear Plastic |
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| These are NOT accepted and need to be hand picked out of the collection or the whole bag will be rejected. Please, only CLEAR plastic bottles. |
ALUMINUM CANS & CLEAR PLASTIC BOTTLES ONLY Drop-off |
Guidelines for dropping off Aluminum Cans/Clear Plastic Bottles:
- Place aluminum cans and clear plastic-water/soda bottles in separate bags.
- Cans do not have to be crushed, but should be rinsed and empty.
- Water bottles can take up less room if they are smashed before putting the cap back onto the bottle.
Please, NO glass, prescription bottles, milk bottles, or food cans as these items need to be hand picked out. Also, NO bags with holes, as any item not rinsed may leak.