MANSFIELD – A longtime local funeral home is changing ownership hands, but will remain open, after an announcement on Wednesday afternoon.
Service Corporation International (SCI) announced in a press release that it has plans to acquire Wappner Funeral Directors & Crematory in Mansfield, Ashland and Ontario by the end of the year. Long recognized as a premier funeral establishment, Wappner will continue under its current management and customer service levels will remain at the current standard.
“Families in and around the area know Wappner because of its history in the community and the level of service demonstrated when the time comes to honor a loved one,” the press release stated. “This commitment to service excellence will be upheld by the same attentive staff who will continue to serve families.”
Since 1872, Wappner Funeral Directors & Crematory has been involved in funeral and cremation services in Mansfield. The firm has expanded under the current leadership of Bill, 67, and Tom Wappner, 70, to four locations serving Mansfield, Ontario and Ashland.
“Tom and I have worked over the past year on our succession planning and we wanted to partner with a company that would maintain our legacy in the community,” said Bill Wappner, president and co-owner of Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory. “Tom and I will continue our involvement with the funeral home and all of our associates will continue with the firm, which was important to us.
“As part of a larger company, we can continue to meet the needs of our families for many years, and do so with new benefits and resources available through this national network.”
Service Corporation said it was proud to partner with Wappner Funeral Directors & Crematory and excited that Bill and Tom Wappner will be staying involved with the firm.
“They will continue to serve client families in the area with the same team and same level of service excellence they have come to expect,” said John Faulk, Senior Vice President for SCI.
