MANSFIELD - Stoney and Shirley Oney placed a coffin in their front yard at 668 Burger Ave. with a sign that reads: "Is this really what it takes to get you off drugs?"
A woman mannequin in black lace holding a child doll stands near the coffin, looking at the male mannequin who is laid to rest.
Why the coffin?
"So many people are OD-ing in Mansfield and we've heard of two today and maybe this is a reality check. If it helps one person, we'll be grateful," Shirley Oney said.
Stoney, her husband, comes up with the ideas for the lawn displays and Shirley goes to garage sales to find the props.
They took down their Memorial Day display Wednesday and put up the drug overdose display, with assistance from their grandson Blake McGinny.
The coffin is mounted on a riding lawn mower that was used in parades in the 1980s, Stoney said.
"We hope this sends a real good message to families who've got kids, who've got family," he said.
"I think the baby doll makes the statement and is what gets to a lot of people with the mother standing looking down in the coffin," Stoney added.
Stoney said the couple does a Christmas display. The three mannequins are put in festive costumes and the man pulls a sled with the baby doll.
The mannequins have been used in gardening displays and a country music-themed display, and a lawn mower display with the mower mowing down flowers over the past five years.
"They're always doing something in the yard, just drive by every month or so," he said with a laugh.
Stoney said he has done many different yard displays. "These are just crazy ideas coming into my head," he said.
Shirley said in the past the neighbors told her they waved at the female mannequin thinking it was her in the yard.
Shirley said she wasn't too happy about putting a coffin in her yard.
"I eat my words. But it is a powerful statement for everybody," she said.
