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The Greater Carbondale Area's Two Oldest Funeral Homes

Shifler Funeral Home was first established in Nicholson, Pa in 1884 by Charles Christopher Shifler who also owned a furniture manufacturing business.

In 1900, he and his wife the former Martha Hewitt, moved the funeral service business to Carbondale and continued operations in both locations. Their son, Oliver H. Shifler continued the funeral business in Carbondale after his father’s death.

In 1939, Oliver H. and his wife Florence Reynolds Shifler moved the funeral home to its location at 94 North Main Street, on scenic Route 6. They had two sons: Robert J. and Oliver R. Shifler. Starting in the 1940’s the Shifler family operated a livery service to many area funeral homes and also maintained ambulance service for Carbondale. In addition to being active in the Carbondale community the family had a summer home in Elkdale, Clifford Township.

In 1970, Oliver R. Shifler purchased the funeral business from his dad. This continued as the third generation of the Shifler family to serve families in the greater Carbondale Area. Oliver R. and his wife, the former Kathryn Wood; continued the funeral home operation and also owned a funeral home in Waymart, Pa from 1960 until 1980.

In the fall of 1998 the business was incorporated with Joseph W. & Alice Scotchlas. Oliver R. Shifler continued as funeral home supervisor. The facilities were remodeled on both the interior and exterior. These changes included increase seating, handicap access ramps and first floor restroom. Property was purchased adjacent to the funeral home for family parking and additional parking was secured with the Ben-Mar Restaurant across the street from the funeral home.

Oliver R Shifler attended grade school in Carbondale and was a graduate of Waymart High School and the American Academy of Mortuary Science & Research in New York City in 1953. He and his wife Kay remain active in the funeral home and are members of the Carbondale First United Methodist Church & Choir. Ollie is currently president of the Triple M Group of the Church and Chairman of the dinner committee.

He is a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, Waymart Lodge; a past president of the Waymart Lion’s Club and a past president of the Tri County Funeral Directors Association.

Oliver R Shifler was also awarded a certificate in 2005 by the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association for 50 years of funeral service to the Greater Carbondale Area.

In 2007, the property at 94 N. Main St. was sold to the Carbondale YMCA as part of their expansion project. In June of that same year we moved into our new location at 62 North Main Street. This is the former McGranaghan- Reilly building and has been used as a funeral home since the 1940’s. The entire structure was remodeled to meet current building codes.  In 2008, we hope to raze a five car garage behind the building that will allow parking for approximately a dozen family cars.