East Funeral Home

Personalized funeral service

Let's start with a story. At East Funeral Home, we consider ourselves expert storytellers and would be honored to help you tell your loved one's life story. Whether it's a favorite poem, a lifelong passion or a treasured photograph, we take all of the things that make a person special and weave them together to create a one-of-a-kind tribute. We can do anything from a simple ceremony with close family and friends to an elaborate celebration with themed decor, live music and a catered reception. There's almost no limit to what we can do.

A compassionate funeral home

We understand the most difficult event in anyone's life is the loss of a loved one. The grief can be overwhelming, but choosing the right funeral director can help to ease the burden of planning. At East Funeral Home, you will never be rushed: You and your family may take as long as you wish to plan a fitting tribute for your loved one. Our caring team will guide you every step of the way.

We are a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. When you choose East Funeral Home, you not only receive the compassionate care you expect from a locally operated establishment but also the value you deserve from the largest network of funeral, cremation and memorialization service providers in North America.

Committed to Texarkana

At East Funeral Home, we have provided funeral and cremation services to the Texarkana community since 1898. For over a century, our commitment has remained unchanged, yet, our funeral services have always responded to the changing needs of our community.

To better serve you, our firm offers 2 locations, each with its own distinctive atmosphere. Situated in historic downtown Texarkana, our original location at 602 Olive Street provides a direct link to the region's rich history, which is cherished by many Texarkana families. Our newer location is situated north of town to better serve Texarkana's growing population.

We are a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, Texas Funeral Directors Association and Arkansas Funeral Directors Association. Our funeral home, funeral directors, and embalmers are licensed by both Texas and Arkansas.

Contact us

Whether you need to make arrangements in advance for yourself or your loved one or your need to plan immediately, we're here to serve you. Please contact us if you would like more information about our services.

East Funeral Home - Moores Lane

Also serving Four States Area families, East Funeral Home - Moores Lane is the newer of our 2 funeral homes in Texarkana, built in 2002. Offering the same high quality standards and care you expect from East Funeral Home, our Moores Lane location is a warm, comfortable and convenience atmosphere to serve your funeral needs.

History

East Funeral Home, which is located today in Texarkana, Texas, at the corner of 6th and Olive Streets, has provided service to the people of Texarkana and the Four State Area since it was founded in 1898 by Elias C. "E.C." East. East Funeral Home was first located on the Arkansas side of Texarkana, at 214 Vine Street, which is now called Olive Street.

In the early days, the funeral home provided embalming services and the business carried a line that included everything in funeral supplies. A female attendant was always in waiting for the care of women and children. E.C. ensured that all calls were given prompt and expert attention. After E.C. died in 1908, his widow, Queen, continued in the business with the same policies.

William F. Meissner modernizes East Funeral Home

In 1911, 3 years after the death of E. C., William F. Meissner became the sole owner by purchasing the business from E.C.’s heirs. William was born in Riverton, Illinois, in December 1879. After he completed his schooling, he went into the furniture and undertaking business. A few years later, he moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he established an undertaking parlor. After selling this establishment, he moved to Girard, Illinois, but a short time later, he came to Texarkana to be the manager of the East Funeral Home. With his expertise and training, William was able to thoroughly modernize the business and made it the first modern funeral home in this section of the country.

The legacy of William F. Meissner

As the manager of East Funeral Home, William was known as one of the best morticians in the Southwest. He was by nature fitted to this profession—he had an understanding heart, gentleness and tender sympathy that enabled him to lessen the grief of those who were called upon to give up loved ones. He was also charitable, serving those of small means with the same care and dignity that characterized his service to those of ample means.

William was a member of the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and was a communicant of the Methodist Church. He was a Knights Templar Mason and Shrine and was affiliated with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a citizen of the highest type and always identified himself with those working for the public welfare. The memory of William F. Meissner, whose death occurred Sept. 2, 1935, will long live in the hearts and minds of those who were privileged to know him, especially those who were the beneficiaries of his services in their time of distress and grief.

William’s wife, Jennie Grubb Meissner, as well as other members of the Meissner family, remained active in the services of East Funeral Home for many years after William’s death. Jennie died on April 16, 1957, and is buried beside her husband.

The Malaby family purchases East Funeral Home

William and Jennie’s daughter, Leota Meissner, and her husband, John B. Malaby, were both active in the business until he died on June 5, 1960. After John B. Malaby’s death, their son, David W. Malaby, and his wife, Marylu Nelson, came back to Texarkana to help Leota take care of the East Funeral Home business. Shortly after moving back, David Malaby purchased the business from his mother.

David Malaby remained active in the business until his death in December 2009. His son-in-law Bard Thomas continues to operate and manage East Funeral Home today. David Malaby’s daughter, Crista Malaby Thomas, is also very active in the business as well.

In 2009, East Funeral Home became a member of the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers.