SAUNDERS AND HOFFMAN FUNERAL HOME
At the location of 29 N. Ayer Street in Harvard during the turn of the
century a firm of W. A. Hochchild operated a Furniture and Undertaking
establishment. This store was purchased and remodeled into a three story
building in 1912 by S. E. Betzer. Mr. Betzer also operated the business as a
Furniture Store and Undertaking establishment. In the early 1930's Mr. Betzer
sold his business to Edward M. Schutt and Z. F. "Dick" Cerny who were
partners until 1949.
In 1938 Schutt and Cerny purchased a family residence at 107 W. Sumner Street
and remodeled it into a Funeral Home. This home was known as the John Dolan
residence. Mr. Dolan was an engineer for the C. and N. W. R. R. Some of the
folds who lived in the home were Edward J. Deneen family, the Harold Baird
family, the Ralph Brickley's and the James Suttons. The first death call in
the Schutt and Cerny Funeral Home was for Mr. Max Zimmerman in September of
1938.
In 1949 Mr. Cerny sold his interest to L. E. "Butch" McFarlin and L. Ben
Saunders. The new firm of Schutt, McFarlin and Saunders enlarged the building
by adding an embalming room and double garage on the rear, and an office on
the front in 1952.
In 1966, to provide additional parking facilities the firm of Schutt,
McFarlin and Saunders purchased the Elizabeth Moore property next to the
Funeral Home and made a blacktop parking lot for thirty cars.
In 1968 a tragic loss was suffered by the firm when Mr. McFarlin passed away.
Two years later Mr. Schutt retired from the business and L. Ben Saunders went
into partnership with Keith F. Hoffman to form the now present partnership of
Saunders and Hoffman.
In July of 1973 a complete remodeling program of the Schutt, McFarlin and
Saunders Funeral Home was started by Saunders and Hoffman to triple its
capacity and provide Harvard with a funeral home that will compare with any
in the area.
The remodeled home began operation in February 1974, and an open house was
held March 24, 1974.
Mr. Hoffman has been a licensed Funeral Director for over 15 years and was
owner of the Hoffman Funeral Home in Harvard and Hebron for over 10 years.
Mr. Saunders has been a funeral director since 1949.