“We treat every family like they’re our own family,” licensed funeral director Judy Higgins-Reardon said.

Judy and her husband, licensed funeral director and embalmer Terry Reardon, are the third generation to carry on that tradition of caring started in 1923 by her grandparents, Frank and Marie Higgins, followed by her parents, John “Jack” and Barbara Higgins in 1958. The Reardons took the helm in 1999 and now their son, Terrance, has joined them as a fourth generation funeral director and embalmer.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, they’ll dedicate the new Salem chapel and welcome the community to see the facility during an open house from noon to 4 p.m., with refreshments served and information available about planning for funeral wishes, cremation options, coping with grief and helping children deal with the loss of a loved one.

The new chapel formerly housed Farmers National Bank and was originally built as a Friendly’s ice cream restaurant. Higgins-Reardon transformed the space, adding French doors on the west side of the building which open under the extended roof that used to cover the drive-thru lanes. Even the former bank safe has been turned into a small room decorated with a stained-glass window. There’s a room where staff will meet with families to make arrangements, a room for children and families, a small show room for caskets and vaults, a sitting room near the entrance and the main chapel room for calling hours and services.

A fireplace and comfy couches greet families in a sitting room at the new Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes and Cremation Services Chapel located at 1858 E. State St., Salem. This marks the fifth chapel for the Higgins-Reardon family and the first in Columbiana County. For nearly 100 years, Higgins-Reardon has helped other families in their time of need.

“The location, excellent condition and wonderful curb appeal of the facility made for an easy, but creative transition for its new purpose” Terry said in a press release. “Together with our other funeral homes in Austintown, Canfield, Poland and North Jackson (this) will now allow us to provide more convenient service to the Salem community and other areas of Columbiana County.”

They saw an opportunity when they learned of the building’s availability and Terry said they have a lot of friends in the Salem area. They’ve wanted to come here and during the ribbon-cutting, he said they’re looking forward to being part of the community.

As an independent family business, they’re able to operate their own crematory at the Canfield locaton and own their own motor fleet of professonal vehicles. No outside agents are necessary. The experienced full-time staff offers complete in-house services such as embalming and preparation, aftercare grief support and prearrangement services.

“We’re here for every economy, every nationality, all faiths,” Terry said.

Every family is treated the same and they’re able to accommodate all their needs. Higgins-Reardon is constantly updating their facilities, too, to keep fresh and in style. In the office at the Salem location is a desk dating back to the 1920’s or 30’s which came from another one of their locations.

Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, located inside the former Farmers National Bank building in Salem, stands ready to serve community members in Salem and the surrounding area with all their needs at the passing of a loved one. Call 330-332-1923. The website is www.higgins-reardon.com.

Even the phone number for the new chapel, 330-332-1923, pays homage to the company’s founding, with the last four digits the same as the year the business opened, 1923.

The staff includes 26 people overall serving the five locations, many who have worked with the family a long time. Judy said they’re very fortunate because the staff is part of the family. One staff member worked for her dad when he was young, then came back to the business after retiring from his chosen profession.

Besides the three Reardons, staff members include licensed funeral director Kristina Vecchione, licensed funeral director and embalmer JeriLyn Walsh, licensed funeral director and embalmer Donald Lepore, licensed pre-need funeral director and embalmer Hillary Madeline, and Sister Patricia Fesler, bereavement coordinator.

“Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes is proud to continue its tradition of providing personalized and professional service that families have come to expect from us all these years,” the press release said.

Come to the open house or visit www.higgins-reardon.com to learn more.

mgreier@salemnews.net