History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Our History
Over one hundred
years ago, brothers Harry and Sherwin Robinson established a
funeral home in Ostrander, Ohio. In 1898, Harry left for
the Klondike gold fields. He returned two years later
with new respect for the grandeur and danger of the
wilderness, and a new appreciation for man's tenacity.
He
later penned, "The law of the Yukon was written on the
face of every glacier. It was rebellion, ruthless,
aggressive, waging its fierce incessant warfare with the
forces of nature."
Upon his return to
Ostrander, Harry and Sherwin constructed a building which
housed both a funeral home and, as was custom in those days,
attached to the funeral home and having a higher priority, a
furniture store.
Because
most funeral services were done in the home or church, the
actual funeral home was merely a small office in the larger
building. The furniture store offered a wide variety of
products and services including furniture, wallpaper,
carpeting and draperies. The upstairs of the building
was the residence of the local opera house. In 1925,
fire struck the business district of Ostrander and destroyed
the furniture store and funeral home.
Harry
decided to move into the growing nearby city of Delaware.
Where he purchased the property of a prominent local banker at
32 West Winter Street.
Harry advertised the new funeral home as, "the most beautiful funeral home in Delaware..."we are more than pleased with the superior facilities our new mortuary offers, and dedicate it to the use of our patrons." Just five years later, in 1930 Harry was pleased to be joined in the business by his son, Eugene. Under Gene, the funeral home service grew and it was Gene who completed the chapel addition in the 1930's and a handicap accessible ramp in the back entrance. Gene married Margaret Swope who took on a significant role in the business. Margaret continued to work actively in the funeral home until age 82. Gene served the profession and community faithfully until his death in 1957. In 1964, Gene and Margaret's son, John, entered the business. John married Sue Tippens in 1965. Together they have served the funeral industry for 35 years. In 1996, John and Sue's daughter, Julie, approached her father with the idea of becoming a funeral director. Julie served her apprenticeship and received her funeral director's license in 1998 becoming the fourth generation funeral director of the Robinson family and continuing the tradition her great grandfather established over a century ago of personal care and service to the Delaware community.
John Robinson, Owner and Director
John has been a funeral director at Robinson Funeral Home for over 35 years. Attending Ohio State University and graduating from Cincinnati Mortuary College, John succeeded his father, Eugene, in 1965. John enjoys traveling and tennis.
Julie Ann Robinson, Director
Julie attended the local Ohio Wesleyan University. She received her Masters in Social Work from Ohio State University. Julie joined the family business in 1996 becoming the first woman funeral director in the city of Delaware. She was diagnosed with MS in 2003. She wishes to thank the community for all their concern, support and continued prayer.
Sue Robinson, Secretary/Treasurer
Sue is a retired Registered Nurse. She became part of the business when she married John in 1965. They have two children, Julie and Rob who lives with his wife, Jolyn in Zion, IN and is a Sports Administrator for the Indiana Pacers. Sue is a gifted and avid gardener.
Joseph Q. Wileschael, Robinson-Wileschael Monuments
Joe and Julie married on September 22, 2000. Joe is a PA and worked for many years in orthopedics but has now begun working full-time at the funeral home. Joe is also in charge of monument sales. He is an avid outdoorsman enjoying boating, fishing, and hunting. Joe and Julie welcomed a new daughter, Hope Alexandra, to the world on May 30, 2002.