Two caring businesses who together have served the Marion Community for more than 252 years are uniting. Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors, which was established 104 years ago in 1910, is partnering with the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, which was established 148 years ago in 1866. They are joining their talents, staff, and resources to ensure each tradition of care and compassion will continue on for centuries to come. Taking a glance back in time to around the turn of the 19th century, you would have found these two organizations working together then as well. The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home was originally known as the Schaffner Funeral Home when it was founded in 1866. In the early 1900s, Schaffner's hired a recent graduate from the Cincinnati School of Embalming, M.H. Gunder, as the head of their undertaking department. In 1910, M.H. decided to go on his own and acquired a state-of-the-art home at its present location, 347 West Center Street, which he converted into the Gunder Funeral Home. He was eventually joined by his sons, Eugene and Donald after they graduated from the Cincinnati School of Embalming in 1932 and 1936 respectively. In 1968, Larry A. Hall, a Marion native, and junior at Marion Harding High School started working for Don Gunder, after the deaths of M.H. and Gene. While helping at the funeral home, he furthered his education at the Marion Technical College, The Ohio State University, and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1975. Then, in 1980, he began purchasing the funeral home, then the Gunder/Hall Funeral Home. In 1985, they were joined by David T. Folk, a second-generation funeral director from St. Mary's, Ohio, completing the purchase of the business, which became known as the Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors. For the past 46 years, Larry, and for the past 30 years, Dave, have provided a tremendous amount of love, care, and funeral expertise for families in their time of need in the Marion Community. With no further family members interested in continuing their business, Larry Hall and Dave Folk have turned to their friends and colleagues in the funeral profession, Clay and Chad Snyder of the Snyder Funeral Home family to be their succession plan, a friendship that dates back to the mid 1970s. Larry added, 'we turned to the Snyder family because they are known throughout the state for their professionalism, in addition to being trusted friends. It was also important for us to partner with a firm that understands the importance of the longtime Gunder traditions and Marion hometown relationships.' The Snyder Funeral Home family truly does understand and appreciate the importance of these traditions and relationships, as for the past 9 years they have been fostering and building upon the Denzer legacy. In March of 2006, they were honored to partner with and be the succession plan for Gene Farison and Jack Hottinger of the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger Funeral Home, who also didn't have any family generational succession. At that time, fourth-generation family funeral director, Chad Snyder and his wife, Rachel, both originally from Mount Gilead, moved to Marion to manage the business and become involved in the Marion Community. Chad has been assisted by his uncle, Clay Snyder, a Marion native and graduate of Marion Harding High School and The Ohio State University Marion Branch. Clay married the former Jacquelyn Ridge, an Elgin graduate, and they currently reside in Delaware, where he manages their Delaware funeral homes. Chad added, 'my wife and I have loved our nine years here in Marion, and feel blessed to have been welcomed with open arms into the Marion community. We have an enormous amount of respect for Larry and Dave and their esteemed firm, and will work tirelessly to make them proud of the decision they made, not just today but for years to come.' The Snyder Funeral Home family business was originally founded in the small Morrow County village of Johnsville, in 1922, by Clay and Chad's grandfather and great-grandfather, Ora O. Snyder. Over the past 92 years, they have grown to now own and operate multiple funeral homes in Marion, Morrow, Delaware, Crawford, Richland, and Knox Counties, including the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home here in Marion, and they also own and operate multiple crematories as well. Truly a family endeavor, the Snyder family currently has seven members of the third and fourth generations active in the family business. Going forward, Larry will continue with the business into the distant future, maintaining all of the special relationships he's developed over his lifetime in the Marion Community, and Dave will be available as a consultant with the firm. The combined operation will retain the caring and attentive staff of the Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors, as they will merge with Chad Snyder and the staff family at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home. To conclude, Clay Snyder added 'we are truly honored to have been chosen to carry on the legacy of care, compassion and superior funeral service provided by the Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors. Through this alliance, we will be better prepared to help families in their time of need and to aid in the celebration of lives well lived. We stand ready to be a guiding light during life's most difficult hour, as the Snyder family and their associates have done with integrity and compassion for the past four generations.' The Snyder family has been honored to serve the families of North-Central Ohio for nearly a century. Founded in 1922, four generations of Snyders have gone above and beyond to provide comfort while creating meaningful tributes to honor and celebrate each unique life lived. Of course, much has changed over the past 100 years—and the funeral industry continues to evolve. With the passing of each season, we strive to stay on the cutting-edge of our industry and offer the latest technology, while continuing to provide superior services at reasonable prices. We own and operate four crematories for control over every aspect of the cremation process. We invite you to visit one of our 13 beautiful facilities to discover what separates Snyder Funeral Homes from the rest.
The Lexington Avenue Chapel was built in 1971 using the same blueprints as the Bellville/Butler Chapel. The building originally featured a live-in apartment for the Snyder family and has since been converted to additional funeral home space. The most recent renovations were finished in 2015 to express a more neutral and upscale color palette while introducing new furniture and artwork throughout the building. Both the front and rear entrances are wheelchair accessible and restrooms are located on the main level. Stop by any weekday for a tour. The Snyder family has been honored to serve the families of North-Central Ohio for nearly a century. Founded in 1922, four generations of Snyders have gone above and beyond to provide comfort while creating meaningful tributes to honor and celebrate each unique life lived. Of course, much has changed over the past 100 years—and the funeral industry continues to evolve. With the passing of each season, we strive to stay on the cutting-edge of our industry and offer the latest technology, while continuing to provide superior services at reasonable prices. We own and operate four crematories for control over every aspect of the cremation process. We invite you to visit one of our 13 beautiful facilities to discover what separates Snyder Funeral Homes from the rest. Learn more online at SnyderFuneralHomes.com
The Snyder family has been honored to serve the families of North-Central Ohio for nearly a century. Founded in 1922, four generations of Snyders have gone above and beyond to provide comfort while creating meaningful tributes to honor and celebrate each unique life lived. Of course, much has changed over the past 100 years—and the funeral industry continues to evolve. With the passing of each season, we strive to stay on the cutting-edge of our industry and offer the latest technology, while continuing to provide superior services at reasonable prices. We own and operate four crematories for control over every aspect of the cremation process. We invite you to visit one of our 13 beautiful facilities to discover what separates Snyder Funeral Homes from the rest. Two local families, with more than 200 years of combined community service, announced on Thursday they are joining to keep a local funeral home tradition under family ownership. Walt and Kim Lindsey of Loudonville announced their business, Lindsey Funeral Homes, has become a member of the Snyder Family of Funeral Homes. Located north of the village square at 123 N. Market St., the full-service funeral home and cremation service center serves all of southern Ashland County, western Holmes County, and portions of Wayne, Richland, and Knox counties. Dating to 1918, throughout the last century, the firm has served Loudonville families under the names of Jones, Swank, Peoples, and Banks Funeral Home, as various owners changed the name to reflect the current proprietor. Ted and Pat Byerly joined the business in 1972 and served the community for nearly three decades as Banks Byerly Funeral Home. The Byerlys welcomed Walt and Kim Lindsey to the business and the village of Loudonville when the Lindseys purchased the funeral home in 1997. Walt Lindsey had previously worked with the Byerlys in the early 1980s. Snyder Funeral Homes date back to 1922 when founder Ora O. Snyder opened a funeral home in the small Morrow County hamlet of Johnsville. Four of his 13 children joined him in the family business, five of his grandsons became funeral directors, and five great-grandchildren are licensed directors working with the family concern. Five generations of the Snyder family operate funeral homes in the neighboring communities of Mount Vernon, Bellville, Mansfield, and Fredericktown, as well as several other locations in central Ohio. By purchasing the Lindsey Chapel in Ashland County, the Snyder Family is now serving in eight Ohio counties. Snyders also operates four crematories and a large fleet of funeral vehicles. 'The Snyder family has a strong history in funeral service, with many solid family members involved in the business, ' said Walt Lindsey, 'It was important to us to select a successor who provides exceptional personal service. We've known the Snyder family for years and we know their quality and dedication to local communities.' Kris and Ashley Buirley, a married couple with three young daughters, who are both licensed funeral directors and embalmers, are relocating from Mount Vernon to Loudonville to be resident directors of the Loudonville funeral home. Kris Buirley has worked with Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Vernon and Fredericktown, and Ashley Buirley has worked with the Snyder Funeral Homes in Bellville and Mansfield. 'We are excited to move to Loudonville, to learn the community and meet the people, ' said Ashley Buirley. 'We have been looking into Loudonville and really like what we see. We think it will be a great place for our young family.' Walt and Kim Lindsey will stay with the funeral home through a transition period and will remain active in the community. Wes Snyder, a fourth-generation funeral director, vice-president of Snyder Funeral Homes, and division manager of the family's chapels in Knox County, will also be active in the operation of the Lindsey Chapel in Loudonville. Clients with prearranged funeral accounts will experience no change. The Snyder Funeral Home Lindsey Chapel is a full-service funeral and cremation service center. The Snyder Family emphasizes planning for final arrangements in advance of need. 'We know how pre-arranging impacts families, ' commented Wes Snyder 'an intentional plan of funeral pre-arrangements lightens the load for surviving family. Their experience is one of confidence and peace. That's why we talk about pre-planning so much.' The funeral home office is open every weekday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends as needs arise, but with 24-hour availability, the professional staff is available around the clock.
Richardson-Davis Funeral Home was founded in 1853 by Philip Herbold Sr., Galion's first undertaker, in a log cabin on what is now Harding Way East. Herbold operated the funeral parlor in conjunction with his furniture store, The Herbold Company, a common practice in those days. As the firm prospered, a second log cabin was built on part of the land where historic Brownella Cottage stands. The business was subsequently relocated to the southwest corner of West Main Street (now Harding Way West) and South Union Street. Herbold expanded that building and then erected a two-story wood structure on South Union Street for cabinet-making and the construction of wood coffins. At the rear was a barn for horses and carriages. Herbold, a native of Germany, was assisted in the business by his sons, Adam, Philip Jr. and John. Adam and Philip managed the furniture business, while John, Galion's first embalmer, performed the undertaking. In 1899, John Herbold assumed control of the undertaking business, later moving it to 250 South Market Street. In 1909 he built the 218 South Market Street facility, a three-story brick building featuring a reception room, offices, morgue, embalming room and large chapel. Herbold, who also owned the city's first ambulance service, died in 1910. His wife, the former Esther Burgener, ran a piano studio inside the funeral home and operated the business after her husband's death. She leased it to Fred Dillon and J. E. Glass in 1925. In 1927, Herman W. Volk, a Galion native, bought the business and renamed it Volk Funeral Home. A graduate of the Columbus School of Embalming, he and his wife, the former Grace Green, lived above the funeral home until their deaths in 1962. Robert G. Richardson, also a Galion native, joined the firm in 1948 after receiving his funeral director's and embalming licenses from the Cincinnati College of Embalming. When he became a partner in 1959, it was renamed Volk-Richardson Funeral Home. Richardson became sole owner following Volk's death. On January 1, 1971, the business was incorporated. Lawrence Baldy, who joined Richardson in 1979, was named vice-president and Richardson's wife, Eileen, was named secretary. Under Richardson, the funeral home underwent a major expansion and remodeling in 1972. A 40-by-60 foot addition was erected to the south and the parking lot was enlarged. The interior, which included three chapel-viewing rooms, was decorated in Spanish décor in predominant shades of apricot and green. Wolfgang Doerschlag, Funeral Home Industries of Columbus, was the architect and the builder was Robert Cass of Galion. Kenneth L. Davis, a native of Youngstown, joined the staff in 1978, coming to Galion from Kenton, Ohio. He earned his degree from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and became Richardson's partner in 1981. Davis became sole owner in 1985. Parking was also increased after the Hartwell property to the south was purchased and razed. The firm's name was changed to the Richardson-Davis Funeral Home in 1987. The remodeling project completed in 1992 featured a new ladies' restroom, expanded offices and the addition of sandspray - a pebble mosaic exterior - and mansard to the west wing. The interior was completely redecorated in shades of yellow, apricot and green to create a bright, cheerful atmosphere. Today, Richardson-Davis strives to provide the finest quality services at reasonable prices and continues to be used by those of modest means as well as those who desire the very finest. We remain committed to life and serving the living. We are people helping people. It is in that spirit we stand ready to help you. The Snyder family has been honored to serve the families of North-Central Ohio for nearly a century. Founded in 1922, four generations of Snyders have gone above and beyond to provide comfort while creating meaningful tributes to honor and celebrate each unique life lived. Of course, much has changed over the past 100 years—and the funeral industry continues to evolve. With the passing of each season, we strive to stay on the cutting-edge of our industry and offer the latest technology, while continuing to provide superior services at reasonable prices. We own and operate four crematories for control over every aspect of the cremation process. We invite you to visit one of our 13 beautiful facilities to discover what separates Snyder Funeral Homes from the rest.
We encourage you to contact the funeral home or website to verify time and location before attending services or visitation.
Sol Levinson & Bros. has been family owned and operated since 1892. Each family's needs are handled with an emphasis on the details and personal attention they deserve. With multiple generations actively involved, the Levinson family oversees every aspect of each funeral to ensure excellent service.
Sol Levinson & Bros. has been family owned and operated since 1892. Each family's needs are handled with an emphasis on the details and personal attention they deserve. With multiple generations actively involved, the Levinson family oversees every aspect of each funeral to ensure excellent service.