For The Record: Hale-Sarver Funeral Home
What is now the present location of the Hale-Sarver Funeral Home was a nine-room brick home built in 1853 by the family of William Rutledge. Through the years, it has been home to the Rutledge, Furnas, Eby, and Kraus families. It was the home of Charles Furnas, the first airplane passenger and employed by the Wright Brothers.
In 1953, Carl and Rachel Ann Sarver bought the house for their family residence and their funeral home business. In 1958 a chapel was added. Throughout the years, many hours have been spent making improvements. In 1975, the entrance was changed from the south end to the west side. An Open House was held on Memorial Day in 1976.
Harry Hale was born September 9, 1865. He attended Earlham College in Indiana and Eckels Training School of Embalming in Pennsylvania. He began his funeral practice in West Milton in 1896. In 1932 he was joined by his brother, Roy. Following Harry's death in 1936, Roy obtained his funeral director's license. He and Elmer Geeting purchased the funeral home and downtown furniture store located at 108 and 110 N. Miami St.
In 1937 Roy and Marian Harlacher, Mr. Hale's son-in-law and daughter, became associated. In 1938 the Hale Funeral Home moved from downtown to 275 N. Miami St. The furniture store was sold in 1953 to Aaron Markley.
In 1949, after 40 years of service to the community, Roy E. Hale died at the age of 92. On December 22, 1969, following 20 years of community service, Carl E. Sarver died at the age of 45. In 1972 Rachel Ann married Dick Minnich. In 1980 she obtained her funeral director’s license.
Following Carl's death, and until his second son, Jim, finished college, the business continued due to the hard work of Rachel Ann and other local funeral directors. After graduating and receiving his license, Jim took over the family business in 1973. His son, Brian, joined him in 2006. Brian purchased the Jackson Sarver Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill in 2010.
The Sarver Family has grown through the years - Priscilla and Dick Dodson, Bob and Joyce Sarver, Jim and Tracy Sarver, and Tom and Sandra Sarver.