About Us
About Us
In 1949, Maurice Baier bought the funeral home from Ralph Ford, and it became Ford-Baier Funeral Home. In 1951, he married Millie Stephanou, and the two of them owned and operated the funeral home together for 50 years until he died in 2000. Maurie received his education from Worsham College of Mortuary Science and received his license on July 1, 1947.
The funeral home is still located at 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton, and continues in operation as Baier Family Funeral Services. It is currently owned by Maurie and Millie Baier's son, Royce, and his wife, Sheila. The business is operated by Royce; he received his funeral director and embalmer's license in 1978 from Southern Illinois University, School of Mortuary Science.
From the days of the undertaking parlor and the horse-drawn hearse, we continue to strive to render professional and compassionate service.
Baier Family Funeral Services, as it is known today, originated in 1870 with a Mr. Peterson. In a short time, a man by the name of Egnell joined as a partner. The firm operated as Peterson and Egnell until about 1893, when it was sold to Ivas L. Atwood, who operated the business until 1912.
Atwood sold the business to George T. Harsch, formerly of the Melvin area. He progressed from the horse-drawn hearse to the motorized hearse. In 1933, Harsch retired, selling to Ralph E. Ford, from Oakland, Illinois. Ford bought the business and continued to operate the furniture store at the 110 S. Market Street location, while moving the funeral home to its current location at 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton, in 1933. It was called Ford Funeral Home. Mr. Ford received his education from Worsham Training School, Chicago, in June of 1926.
Our Flatville Location
With our location in Flatville, you now have the convenience of making arrangements or prearrangements with people you know and trust. With this convenient location, we can also serve the Gifford, Thomasboro, Royal, and surrounding areas. We can assist you in traditional and non-traditional funeral services. We accept preneed funerals from all other funeral homes. When it comes to prearranging funerals, our professional staff can guide you step-by-step through the process. With just one phone call, we will take the first step with you.