ARCANUM — David Fellers, president of Gilbert-Fellers Funeral Home of Brookville, Ohio, has announced his acquisition of the Kreitzer Funeral Home of Arcanum, Ohio.
The purchase price was not disclosed.
“We finalized the terms on August 9,” said Fellers. “Michael Kreitzer approached us. We evaluated the property, agreed on the price, and it was all said and done.”
“We really like Arcanum and Pitsburg and feel like it’s going to be a very good fit for our business,” he added.
Kreitzer Funeral Home was originally founded in 1917 by Ward Stutz and Jesse Sando. The late Harold Kreitzer bought the business from Stutz in 1950. His son, Michael, was the current operator at the home up to the August 9 purchase.
Gilbert-Fellers Funeral Home has been in business since 1899. Fellers joined the staff of the Gilbert Funeral Home in December 1985 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Working as an employee of the firm, he lived in the apartment above the home. In 1990, he purchased the business outright, maintaining the Gilbert name out of respect to the family.
“We kept the Gilbert name all this time because his family gave me an opportunity as his employee,” said Fellers.
Fellers says he feels a connection to Darke County, as his parents grew up in Lightsville. He still has many extended family members residing in Greenville and throughout the county.
“It’s really neat for me to drive up back and forth on [Ohio Route] 49,” he said. “It reminds me of growing up, good family memories. I really look forward to meeting the people of Arcanum and Pitsburg and serving their needs.”
Joining Fellers in the operation of the funeral home will be his son, Matthew Fellers, and Kyle Turner, who just graduated mortuary school.
Fellers says, at this point, the Kreitzer name will remain for at least a year, perhaps longer, though the Ohio Board of Embalmers & Funeral Directors will require a name change within two years’ time.
As for those who have made funeral pre-arrangements with Kreitzer, Fellers said nothing will change.
“People need to be assured that their pre-arrangements are still valid and will be handled with the greatest of respect and care. We will continue to provide the high care at Kreitzer that people have grown to expect and we will add to that what we’ve learned in Brookville.”
