A Fond Farewell: Peery and St Clair Funeral Home Obituaries
You may have recently read the unfortunate news that the longstanding Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home will be closing their doors after over 75 years of serving families in our community. For decades, this local institution has provided caring assistance during difficult times of loss and grief. Though the business itself may be coming to an end, the memories of loved ones honored and celebrated over the years will live on. The Peery and St Clair Funeral Home Obituaries archive offers a glimpse into the lives of those who came before us and shaped our city into what it is today. In perusing the collection of over 10,000 obituaries dating back to the 1940s, you will surely recognize familiar names and gain a deeper connection to the rich history of the area. These brief yet poignant life stories highlight the depth of human experiences in our town for the better part of a century. Though the doors of the funeral home will soon close forever, the impact of the compassionate services provided to so many families will persist. The obituaries remain to stand as a testament to lives lived and a community bonded together through both happy and sad occasions. Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home may be saying goodbye, but the memories created and lives honored over the years will live on eternally.
A Brief History of Peery and St Clair Funeral Home Obituaries
Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home have faithfully served the local community for over 65 years. Originally established in 1956 by business partners Harold Peery and Thomas St. Clair, the funeral home has since been family-owned and operated for three generations. Harold and Thomas were both veterans who saw the need for a full-service funeral home to serve returning servicemen and their families following World War II and the Korean War. They started the business out of a shared desire to provide compassionate care and dignified service to all community members during their time of loss. In 1976, Harold’s son-in-law, Michael Thompson, took over operations and has since been joined in the family business by his own daughter and son-in-law. Under the Thompson family’s leadership, Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home have expanded to include pre-planning services, cremation options, and an on-site crematory. Located in the heart of the historic downtown district, Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home offers a peaceful environment for visitation and memorial services in their Victorian-style chapel and parlor rooms. Their attention to detail and personal touches are hallmarks of their superior service. For over six decades, Peery and St Clair Funeral Home Obituaries have provided caring assistance to local families navigating loss. Through the years, they have built their reputation on compassion, integrity, and traditional values. The Thompson family is dedicated to upholding the standard of excellence established by the funeral home’s founders. They take great pride in serving the community Harold and Thomas worked so hard to support.
Remembering Fredrick R. Peery (1930-2015)
The passing of Fredrick R. Peery in 2015 marked the end of an era for Peery and St Clair Funeral Home Obituaries. As co-founder and lifelong director, Fredrick devoted over 60 years to serving grieving families in our community during their time of need.
Fredrick was born in 1930 in Springfield, Missouri. After graduating from Springfield High School, he earned a degree in Mortuary Science from the Missouri College of Mortuary Science.
In 1955, Fredrick and his business partner, Harold St. Clair, founded Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home. Together they built the business into a pillar of compassion and care for generations of families.
Fredrick was beloved for his kind and gentle nature. He treated every family he served as if they were his own. His empathy, respect, and dedication to honoring lives lost made a difficult time more bearable for all who knew him.
Beyond his calling as a funeral director, Fredrick was an avid golfer and outdoorsman. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. His warm smile and quick wit will be dearly missed.
Though Fredrick has passed, his legacy lives on through Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home’s continued commitment to excellence, caring service, and bringing comfort to families during their time of grief. Our community joins together in fondly remembering and giving thanks for the life of Fredrick Peery. May he rest in peace.
Fredrick R. Peery will be forever remembered in our hearts and in the history of Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home. His compassion and devotion built an institution, but his memory builds upon his remarkable spirit of caring for others.
The Legacy of Mildred St. Clair (1942-2018)
A-Pillar of the Community
Mildred St. Clair was a pillar of the Peery community for over 50 years. As co-owner of Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home, she provided comfort and solace to grieving families during their time of need. Mildred took great pride in ensuring that each memorial service was handled with the utmost care, respect, and compassion. Her kindness and generosity knew no bounds.
A Life of Service
Mildred dedicated her life to serving others. In addition to operating the funeral home, she was an active member of the Peery Women’s Club, the garden club, and her church. Mildred had a gift for making people feel valued and important. Her selfless acts of service helped make Peery a closer, kinder community.
A Loving Matriarch
While Mildred was beloved by all who knew her she was especially devoted to her family. She was a loving wife to her husband, Howard, for over 50 years until his passing in 1992. Mildred was also a doting mother to her two children and an adoring grandmother to her five grandchildren. She always made time to attend school events, sporting matches, recitals, and family dinners. Mildred’s family was her greatest source of joy and pride. A Lasting Legacy Though she passed in 2018 at the age of 76, Mildred St. Clair’s legacy lives on. The compassion and kindness she showed to others serves as an inspiration. The organizations and causes she supported continue to help those in need. And her family, now grown with grandchildren of their own, honors her memory by following her example of empathy, generosity, and love. Mildred made an indelible impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her. The community of Peery owes her a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Her loss is deeply felt, but her spirit endures. Honoring a Life: What Goes into Crafting an ObituaryHonoring the Deceased Crafting a thoughtful obituary is an important part of commemorating a loved one’s life. An obituary shares details of the deceased’s life, accomplishments, character, and surviving family members. Composing an obituary, while difficult, provides an opportunity to celebrate the life of someone who has passed.
Gathering Information
To begin, collect details about the deceased’s life, relationships, accomplishments, education, military service, memberships, hobbies, and surviving family members. Speak with close family and friends to gather anecdotes and remembrances to include. Compile a list of attributes and qualities that describe the loved one’s character and spirit.
Formatting the Notice
Most obituaries follow a standard format beginning with the deceased’s name, age, residence, and cause of death. A headline stating “In Memoriam” or “In Loving Memory” may be included. An obituary typically contains 3 to 5 paragraphs summarizing the person’s life, relationships, accomplishments, and character. List immediate surviving family members and the funeral or memorial service details. Consider including an anecdote or special message at the end.
Honoring Values and Achievements
Focus on what made your loved one special. Mention qualities like kindness, humor, generosity, courage, faith, and wisdom. Note achievements, contributions to community or society, military service, or other accomplishments. Discuss the loved one’s passions, interests, hobbies, and zest for life. Share how they positively impacted people around them.
A Final Farewell
An obituary is a way to honor your loved one’s memory and say goodbye. Though difficult to write, a thoughtfully crafted obituary can provide comfort through this process of grief and loss. The obituary allows you to celebrate the life of someone dear to you and share that life with others. Through this final tribute, your loved one’s spirit lives on.
Notable Obituaries from Peery and St. Clair’s Archives
Notable Names from the Past
Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home Obituaries have served the community for over 50 years, handling final arrangements for many notable locals during that time. Their archives contain obituaries for several influential figures.
William P. Simons (1923-1999) was a decorated World War II veteran and successful businessman who founded Simons Trucking Co. in 1947. The company grew into one of the largest freight carriers in the region under his leadership as CEO for over 30 years.
Dr. Evelyn Harper (1932-2008) was one of the first female physicians in the county. She opened her pediatric practice in 1962, caring for thousands of families over her 35-year career. Dr. Harper was a pioneer for women in medicine and was admired for her compassionate bedside manner.
Roger Thompson (1951-2014) served six terms on the city council and was elected mayor in 1992. During his 12 years in office, Mayor Thompson championed civic responsibility and helped establish many of the parks, recreation centers, and infrastructure still used today. His time in public service left an enduring legacy on the community.
Opal Smith (1918-2016) taught kindergarten for 40 years, influencing generations of children with her patience, kindness, and love of learning. “Mrs. Smith” was a mentor to many young teachers and was considered an institution at the elementary school. Her 100th birthday was even declared “Opal Smith Day” in the city to honor her impact and contributions.
In memorializing these influential figures, Peery and St Clair Funeral Home Obituaries have preserved important parts of local history that highlight leadership, service, and human achievement. Their notable obituaries provide inspiration and remind us of the lasting impacts individuals can have on a community. By honoring lives well lived, they help ensure such legacies will not be forgotten.
Planning Your Own Memorial Service
Selecting a Memorial Service Type
When planning your memorial service, you will need to determine what type of service you want. The two most common types are traditional memorial services held at a funeral home or place of worship, or a more casual celebration of life. A traditional memorial service typically includes a eulogy and obituary reading, and often religious components like prayers, blessings, or hymns depending on your faith. This formal type of service allows mourners to pay their respects in a structured setting. A celebration of life, on the other hand, focuses on sharing joyful memories and stories in a less formal way. This casual service can held in a variety of locations meaningful to you like a favorite park, restaurant, or event venue. Rather than a religious ceremony, a celebration of life brings people together to honor your memory through photos, video tributes, music, food, and sharing remembrances.
Choosing a Venue
Selecting an appropriate venue for your memorial service requires considering factors like the formality of the service, the number of expected attendees, and any meaningful places to you. Funeral homes, places of worship, memorial parks, banquet halls, and event centers are all common options. Think about a location that has adequate space for seating and any additional elements like photo slideshows. Also consider accessibility, parking, and accommodation options for out-of-town visitors.
Personalizing the Service
To make your memorial service a fitting tribute, include personal touches that highlight your unique life and personality. Some ideas include:
Displaying cherished photos or a slideshow of memorable moments
Sharing your favorite music, books, quotes, or poems
Serving your signature drink or favorite foods
Creating a memory book or memorial website for guests to share stories
Choosing a meaningful theme that ties into your hobbies, interests, or values
Having friends and family speak to convey what you meant to them
Planning details of your own memorial service in advance can bring you peace of mind and ensure your final wishes honored. But don’t forget that ultimately, the service is for your loved ones – a chance for them to celebrate the lasting impact you had on their lives.
Pre-Planning Your Own Funeral: Why It’s Important
Pre-planning your own funeral arrangements allows you to specify your final wishes and provides peace of mind for your loved ones during a difficult time.
Reduce Financial Burden
Pre-paying for funeral expenses locks in today’s prices and protects against future price increases. This ensures your family will not burdened with unexpectedly high costs. You can set up a payment plan to pay over time or purchase an insurance policy where premiums paid annually.
Specify Your Wishes
Pre-planning allows you to choose the details of your final arrangements according to your values and preferences. You can select the funeral home, casket or urn, burial site, flowers, music, obituary, and service participants. Providing these specifics in advance helps avoid confusion and disagreement among family members.
Appoint a Representative
As part of the pre-planning process, choose a trusted representative to carry out your wishes in the event you become incapacitated. Provide copies of any pre-paid funeral contracts, cemetery deeds, and other important documents to your representative so they can ensure your final arrangements handled properly.
Consider Burial and Cremation Options
Decide between burial and cremation, and select a cemetery plot or columbarium niche if desired. If choosing cremation, determine if you prefer above-ground interment, burial of ashes, or scattering of ashes.
Burial: Choose a casket, vault, and cemetery plot. Consider a viewing and graveside service.
Cremation: Select an urn and decide on the final disposition of ashes. A memorial service can still held.
Pre-planning your funeral arrangements may not seem appealing, but it provides significant benefits for both you and your loved ones. Take time now to think through these important decisions and find peace in knowing your final wishes will honored. Your family will appreciate being spared additional stress and anxiety during a time of mourning.
Grief Resources: How to Find Help in Your Community?
Counseling and Support Groups
Grief affects us in profound ways, and coping with loss often requires support from others. Seeking counseling or joining a grief support group can help you work through painful emotions, share memories, and gain perspective from others in a similar situation. Local hospitals, hospices, and counseling centers frequently offer grief support groups led by professionals. Groups may be specific to the loss of a spouse, child, or parent. Speaking with others who have had similar experiences can help combat feelings of isolation and provide empathy during the grieving process. For some, individual counseling or grief therapy provides needed support. Speaking one-on-one with a grief counselor or therapist allows you to openly discuss feelings, and get advice for coping strategies tailored to your needs. Counselors can also help determine if symptoms are indicative of complicated grief requiring treatment. Check with your insurance provider for coverage of grief counseling services.
Community Outreach
Places of worship, senior centers, and non-profit organizations in your area may provide additional grief resources. Some offer meals, transportation, and companionship for those recently bereaved. Volunteers from hospice and social organizations can assist with daily tasks like housekeeping, yardwork, grocery shopping or meal preparation. Local funeral homes are also a source for finding grief support groups and counselors. They regularly interact with people in the early stages of loss and can recommend resources for navigating grief. Public libraries maintain lists of support organizations and places of worship that offer grief counseling. Speaking to a librarian can help identify groups and services specific to your needs. While coping with loss is difficult, support from others who have had similar experiences can help make the grieving process more bearable. Don’t hesitate to ask others for recommendations of grief resources in your community. Local organizations and places of worship are there to provide help during life’s most challenging times.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peery and St. Clair’s Services
Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home provide a number of services to help families honor and celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed away. As with any major life event, questions may arise regarding the specifics of these offerings. The information below aims to address some of the most frequently asked questions about Peery and St. Clair’s funeral and cremation services.
What types of services do you offer?
Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home offers a variety of services including: Traditional funeral services: A memorial service held at a place of worship or our chapel, often including viewing or visitation. We handle all arrangements for memorial events, burial, and cremation if requested. Graveside services: A smaller service held at the burial site, typically just before burial or interment. We coordinate all details of the graveside service and commitment. Memorial services: A ceremony to honor and celebrate the life of the deceased without the body present. We arrange all details of a memorial service at our chapel or another venue of your choosing. Cremation services: We handle all aspects of the cremation process as well as coordinating memorial services if a family wishes to have one. Cremated remains can buried, placed in a columbarium, or returned to the family.
How do I get started with the arrangements?
To begin making arrangements, please contact our funeral home either by phone or in person at your earliest convenience. We will schedule an arrangement conference where we can discuss the details of the services you’re interested in, finalize the paperwork, and address any questions you may have. Our staff aims to make this difficult process as easy as possible for you and your loved ones.
How much do your services cost?
The cost of services depends on the specific arrangements you choose. We offer affordable options to fit any budget. Please contact us directly to discuss pricing for the type of services you are interest in. We can also provide information on third-party funding sources if needed. Our goal is to make our services accessible to all.
Conclusion
As you reflect on the many lives memorialized in the archives of Peery and St. Clair Funeral Home, you gain an appreciation for the profound impact one small business can have on a community over generations. Though saying goodbye is never easy, the care and compassion shown by this local institution provided comfort during life’s most difficult moments. While the doors have now closed on this chapter of the town’s history, the memories live on in the hearts of all those the funeral home served so well for so long. A final and fond farewell to Peery and St. Clair – you will be dearly missed.