As a historic business in a historic town, Witzler-Shank Funeral Home celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009, serving Perrysburg and the surrounding communities. The rich history of the business began in 1859, when Peter Witzler moved to Perrysburg with his new bride, Margaret. He formed a wood-working shop on the hydraulic canal at the foot of Mulberry Street. He brought power from the town to run his lathe and other machinery. An advertisement was discovered by the Perrysburg Journal, the town’s newspaper, for furniture and chairs, as well as coffins —”a narrow house of the dead” — and a hearse at reasonable charges. This began the Witzler family’s commitment to funeral service.

Thirty-three years later, in 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Witzler’s son, Charles, founded a furniture and undertaking business at 116 Louisiana Avenue in downtown Perrysburg. When Charles died shortly after opening the business, his brother Alfred (A.J.) took it over and continued at that location for 40 years. In 1930 A.J. purchased the Hoover House at 128 East Front Street, which was built in 1875, and converted it into a funeral home for the community.

A.J.’s son, Norm, along with Norm’s wife, Marcena, and their son, Earl, began to operate the funeral home as a separate and independent business. A.J. died in 1934, having never conducted a funeral at the new location. In 1947 the Witzlers and their six children moved to 240 East Front Street. Norm continued to run the business until his death in August 1964.

The business was purchased shortly after by Clara and Bob Shank. The Shank family lived upstairs in the funeral home until 1973, when they built the existing funeral home at 222 East South Boundary. The current facility is spacious and handicap accessible. It features lovely chapels, visitation rooms and a unique lounge with historic artwork. It also accommodates memorial gatherings and receptions.

With lessons learned by the years of rich heritage, the experienced and compassionate staff of the funeral home is committed to serving families in a professional and dignified manner.

Today, we are proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. Dignity Memorial providers offer exclusive benefits, including National Transferability of Prearranged Services, the Bereavement Travel Program, the 24-Hour Compassion Helpline® and access to an acclaimed grief management library. As North America’s largest provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services, the Dignity Memorial brand is your assurance of quality, value, caring service and exceptional customer satisfaction.