OUR HERITAGE
The business was
founded in 1881 by
Edwin F. Warner and
was operated at the
Gilbert House. The
business moved to 208
First Street where
a
large building was built
in 1886. This building
housed the Warner
Undertaking and
Furniture business. The
Warner family resided
at 210 First Street
which was
attached to
the business.
E. F. Warner attended both Sullivan Schools held in March and November of 1887. With his son Peter he also attended the Clark School in 1897 and it's successor, the Cincinnati School in 1902 when they came through Hazleton. Peter Warner also attended Eckels School of Embalming in Philadelphia when it first opened early in the 1900's.
In the early 1920's the Warner's purchased the Blakeslee residence at 211 First (across the street). This became the funeral home with an apartment upstairs. The furniture business continued at 208 First Street until 1985 when Philip Jeffries Jr. closed the store and sold the building.
In 1957 the funeral home was remodeled. A new chapel was added with additional seating for 80 people. Also added was a preparation room which was and still is state of art. The funeral home was the first building in Weatherly with central air conditioning.
In 1959 Philip Jeffries Sr. closed his funeral home in Coaldale, PA and bought the furniture and funeral business from Peter Warner's widow. His son Philip Jr. at 15 was just starting to assist him. Philip Jr. obtained his license in 1967 after study at Penn State and the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York. He served an internship at Trexler Funeral Home, Allentown from 1966 to 1967. After 3 years service in Army where he was one of the original group of G.I. Embalmers at the Danang Mortuary in Vietnam and an instructor of Memorial Services at Ft. Lee, VA. Philip Jr. returned to Weatherly and assisted his father in both funeral home and the furniture store until Philip Sr. retired in 1985. Currently Philip Sr. and his wife Maxine are retired and living at Willow Valley in Lancaster.
Philip Jr. served two terms as Carbon County Coroner and is currently a deputy Coroner. He has also been active as a field study preceptor of the Funeral Service Program at Northampton Community College.
Both Philip Sr. & Jr. have been honored by the N.F.D.A. and P.F.D.A. organizations.
Ginkgo tree in Autumn Gold Colors
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These are the pictures of our Ginkgo tree in Autumn gold colors. This only happens about every 10 years (conditions must be just right). The tree was planted over 100 years ago. It is on a national registry and is one of the largest Ginkgo trees in Pennsylvania. Cuttings from our tree have been harvested by a horticulturist from Garnay Farms in Sumter, S.C. to strengthen their young trees and give them male characteristics.