OUR HISTORY

Mike and Randy Gilbert continued to run Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and also purchased Brayfield Funeral Home in Sesser, Illinois. Randy’s son, Rodney runs the Brayfield Funeral Home location. Mike Gilbert retired from the business in 2006, although both funeral homes are still in operation.

Terry Gilbert left the Gilbert Funeral Home in 1976, but not the funeral business. In November that year, he purchased Hunt Funeral Home in Marion, Kentucky from Wilbur and Louise Hunt. The Hunt Funeral Home located at 202 N. Walker Street was originally purchased as a home. Wilbur and Louise completely renovated the two-story building, making their living quarters on the second floor while the lower level served as the funeral home.

Wilbur employed Clinton York and Don Perry, who took care of the ambulance service as well as helping with the funerals. When Terry Gilbert purchased the establishment, he moved his wife Sandra and four sons; Keith, Brad, Kevin and Britt to Marion. They resided above the funeral home until their home was complete in 1979. Terry kept Clinton York and Don Perry on to assist him with the funeral home.

In 1981, Terry also purchased Tucker Funeral Home from Thomas and Ethel Tucker. Tucker Funeral Home was started in the 1800’s by Mr. R. B. Dorr. He had a furniture-cabinet making shop upstairs on the corner of what is now known as Bellville and Maple Streets in Marion. The shop made coffins which were displayed along with the furniture offered. Mr. W. D. Tucker went into partnership with Mr. Dorr and later bought the funeral home and business. Mr. Tucker’s brother-in-law, John Nunn assisted him and later Creed Taylor joined the firm.

In 1924 Hobart Franklin and his family moved to Marion from Sturgis. Mr. Franklin joined the business and expanded it over to the next building which was owned by Hobart’s father. The Tucker and Franklin Funeral Home existed until their deaths in 1947 and 1948.

Meanwhile, once World War II was over, Thomas Tucker and his wife Ethel returned to Marion. They wanted to assist with the business. The Tucker’s purchased the Franklin firm in 1951 and Tucker’s Furniture and Funeral Home was established.

In 1974, after running the business for several years, Thomas Tucker sold the furniture inventory to the Johnson family. It is still operating as Johnson’s Furniture Store. He then remolded the old store into a modern funeral chapel. In 1981, after all the years of service, Thomas was ready for retirement and this is when Terry Gilbert became owner.

After purchasing the Tucker Funeral Home, Terry combined both Hunt and Tucker funeral homes into one location in the Tucker Funeral Chapel. Terry’s boys then started to graduate from Crittenden County High School in Marion. Kentucky.

Keith graduated in 1988 and went on to attend Paducah Technical School in Paducah Kentucky. He also received a degree in Criminal Justice at Colorado University. Keith moved back to Kentucky and became a Licensed Funeral Director.

Brad graduated in 1990 and attended Georgetown College. He received his degree in Business Administration in 1994. Brad also graduated from Mid America School of Mortuary Science in 1995. He then received his funeral directors and embalmers license.

Kevin graduated in 1992. He attended Mid America School of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1994. He then went to work at the funeral home until 2005 when purchasing the Franklin location from his father. He now owns and operates Booker Gilbert Funeral Home as well as a monument company in Franklin Kentucky.

Britt graduated from Crittenden County High School in 1993. He went on to graduate Mid America School of Mortuary Science in 1995. Britt also received his embalmers and funeral directors license. He then went to work at the Marion location until leaving in 2007 to pursue a new profession.

In 1986 Terry purchased Rose Funeral Home from the Porter Rose Estate. Porter started the funeral home in the 1940’s in a home in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. He operated the funeral home until his passing in 1985.

After purchasing the Cave-In-Rock location, Terry went on to purchase yet another funeral home. The Booker Funeral Home located in Franklin, Kentucky. Booker Funeral Home was established by Harry Booker who ran the business for several years. Booker Funeral Home exchanged hands until Terry purchased the firm in 1986. Terry remodeled the funeral Home and his son Kevin moved to Franklin, Kentucky to operate it until 2005 when Kevin then purchased the funeral home. It still operates as Gilbert Funeral Home of Franklin.