| |
|
Henton
Funeral Home 1923-1954 |
Royce and Mary Henton came to Delton in 1923 from Nashville, Michigan and opened a funeral business at the present location
on East Orchard Street in a residential home. Prior
to this, funerals were conducted in churches or private homes. |
|
|
Royce Henton also operated a barber shop in a building on
South Grove Street (second building from the right
in the above photo from 1928).
Funerals were held in the funeral home beginning in
the late 1930's and early 1940's. The Henton's added living quarters to the back of the funeral
home in 1945.
|
|
Henton-Smith
Funeral Home 1954-1965 |
 |
After WWII, Ivan Smith
had married the middle daughter of Royce and Mary Henton.
Ivan attended Cincinnati College of Embalming and joined his father-in-law in the family
funeral business.
|
|
| Royce Henton passed away in 1954 and Ivan
Smith became the sole owner (Henton-Smith
Funeral Home). |
 |
|
|
Williams
Funeral Home 1965-1999 |
Ivan Smith sold the funeral home to Bob and Pat
Williams on October 1, 1965. Bob and Pat operated the business for 34
years, until May 1, 1999.
Ambulance service was offered for many years by the
Henton-Smith Funeral Home and this service was continued by Bob Williams
with the help of the Delton Volunteer Fireman from
1965-1975. Also assisting Bob with the ambulance and
funeral service were Lynn and Delores Stedge from
1965-1972, and Wilbur and Mary Sager from 1972 to
present.
|
|
Williams-Gores
Funeral Home 1999-present |
John & Pam Gores purchased the business from Bob Williams on May 1, 1999.
The Gores are continuing another "tradition"
at the funeral home. John and Pam are raising two
daughters, Elizabeth and Emily here. Since 1923, this
brings the total to 10 daughters have been raised in the funeral
home.
Previous daughters included: 3 Henton girls, Maxine (Knowlton)
Hawks, Marquita (Henton) Smith, and Mary Marie
Townsend; 2 Smith girls, Kathy (Smith) Lozen and Deb (Smith) Truax;
and 3 Williams girls, Kathy Roberts, Kristine Wolverton,
and Beth Cravens. |
|
|
|
