Page 19 - Staab GPL booklet

GPL booklet_11_2019.qxp_GPL booklet 10-10.qxd 6/26/20 6:57 AM Page 18

A Brief History of

The Staab Family

The first generation begins very humbly at the corner of 7th & Vine.
From 1927-1937 the Staab Family partnered with John O’Donnell in
operating O’Donnell & Staab Funeral Home and Ambulance Service.

In 1937, George Staab and his wife Christine founded Staab Funeral

Home at the present location, 5th & Allen. This comfortable Victorian
style home, built in 1873, was not only used as a funeral home but as
a private residence for George and Christine along with their five
children George Jr., Marie, Paul, Vincent and Catherine.

Two of the children, George Jr. and Vincent, enlisted in the United
States Army. The brothers served in WWII. Between the two of them
they received many awards, including the Purple Heart, 7 Bronze
Battle Stars and a Bronze Star Medal.

In 1948, at the direct request of the US Army, Staab Funeral Home
served 445 Gold Star Families whose loved ones died overseas during
WWII. This Reburial Program ended in 1953.

In 1950, the first of many major building additions and enhancements
took place, with renovations continuing through present day.

In 2014, the Staab Family assembled historians, expert craftsmen and

a combat Veterans build team, from all over the country, to reverse
engineer and re-create our Nation’s “Icon of Freedom”, the Abraham
Lincoln hearse. The following year, this hearse became the centerpiece
of the 150th anniversary re-enactment of Abraham Lincoln’s funeral

and burial.

In 2017, The Staab Family opened a second funeral home in Sherman,
IL to better serve the communities north of Springfield.

Now, the fourth generation Staab Family and Associates consider it a
distinct privilege and high honor to serve the Greater Springfield
Community.

The Staab Family

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