About Us

The Edison Funeral Home was originally owned by J. W. Runkel. The store originated approximately in 1880. Mr. Runkel made his own caskets, lined and sold them. He also owned the furniture store and livery service. Michael P. Melzarek purchased the store about 1905. Mr. Melzarek was not licensed, so depended on Charley Gibson of Blair to do his work. Charley was on the State Board of Examiners when the embalming law went into effect and was instrumental in getting a license for Melzarek.

The above information was documented in a letter from M. A. Wiemer in 1979.

Martin and Bess (Liver) Wiemer purchased the funeral home and furniture store in 1927 from Melzareks. Mr. Wiemer sold an interest in the business to Leonard Kern and Peter E. Marsolek in 1956. Leonard and Phyllis (Weier) Kern purchased the business in 1960 known as M. A. Wiemer & Co. The furniture store was discontinued in 1979.

C. Keith Edison started helping Mr. Kern in 1980. In 1982, Keith and Nancy (Brixen) Edison purchased the funeral home from the Kerns. Teresa Edison joined the firm in 2008.