History of Corning Funeral Homes

The following is a brief history of Corning Funeral Homes

History

In 1877, Sylvannus Bishop established a Wagon and Undertaking Shop, marking the beginning of funeral service in the Corning community. In 1888, the business was purchased by W. F. Barnes, who constructed a two-story, 20 x 40–foot building to serve as his facility.

In 1897, William Felsburg founded Felsburg Funeral Home. Mr. Felsburg was Corning’s first licensed embalmer and operated his funeral home until its closure in 1929. He passed away on January 18, 1950, and is interred at Corning Cemetery.

Prior to the closure of Felsburg Funeral Home, Black’s Mortuary opened on November 14, 1925. Paul W. Hansen served as manager, embalmer, and undertaker. Black’s Mortuary remained in operation until September 1951.

During the late 1940s, W. H. Irby established Irby Funeral Home. Shortly thereafter, in 1947, Leslie Russell founded Russell Mortuary.

On January 1, 1953, Leslie Russell and Richard O. Ermert partnered to purchase Irby Funeral Home, forming Russell-Ermert Funeral Home. During their partnership, they constructed the current facility located at 1000 W. Elm Street, moving into the building on November 18, 1970. On January 1, 1978, Richard O. Ermert purchased Leslie Russell’s interest in the business. Mr. Russell passed away on July 6, 2004, and is buried at Corning Cemetery.

Following the purchase, Richard O. Ermert renamed the business Ermert Funeral Home, which was incorporated on November 1, 1979. Richard O. Ermert passed away on July 30, 2008. Today, Ermert Funeral Home is proudly owned and managed by Richard O. Ermert, Jr.

Until July 1, 1975, ambulance services in Corning were provided by local funeral homes. On that date, the City of Corning assumed responsibility for ambulance services.