Learn Our History
Peterson and Patch Funeral Home was established as Marr, Reid & Company in 1865. It is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Waukegan, IL and Lake County. The firm was located in several locations on Genessee St. until it moved into the present location at 408 N. Sheridan Rd. in 1919. The owners at that time, Frank I. Peterson and William B. Wetzel purchased the Judge Frances E. Clarke home which was built in 1875.
One of the largest private residences in the city when it was built, it is an example of the transition from Italianate to Queen Anne styles. The warmth and distinction of the home lends itself well to serve families in their time of need. The original beauty and character of the gracious old home has been scarcely altered since the days when horse drawn carriages brought Waukegan's elite to call, causing it to be listed as historically and architecturally significant in our jet age.
William Wetzel died in 1938 and Frank Peterson continued in the operation of Peterson Funeral Home until his retirement in 1949. He then sold the business to William Hudson, Sherman Edwards and J. Willard Etter, his long-time employees. Mr. Edwards died in 1972 and Mr. Hudson retired in 1973. Mr. Etter continued to operate the funeral home until his retirement in 1978. At that time Daniel R. Patch, Sr. a long-time firm employee and Gary H. Marsh a third generation Waukegan funeral director took over the operation of Peterson Funeral Home. Gary H. Marsh died in 1994. Daniel R. Patch, Sr. passed in 2017 and the firm continues operation today under his son, Daniel R. Patch, Jr.
Diaries belonging to the general contractor David A. Simpson
Timeline of the history of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home:
1865
Marr, Reid & Co. Undertakers & Furniture (Successors to Dennis Marr)
- Genesee St. Opposite the Waukegan House
1874
Marr & Reid East Side of Genesee St. 3 North of Madison
- Undertakers: Dennis M. Marr & William Reid
1889
Griffin & Strows Maintained Previous Location
- Undertakers: Nathan A. Griffin & Willis Strows
1892
Griffin & Strows 210 N. Genesee St., By Today’s System This is 110-112 N. Genesee St.
- Undertakers: Nathan A. Griffin & Willis Strows
1901
Harry H. Griffin 223 N. Genesee St. - Today - 124 N. Genesee St.
1903
Larsen & Conrad Undertakers, Embalmers & Picture Framing. 223 N. Genesee St.
- Undertakers: George Larsen & Edward Conrad
1913
Conrad & Hart Undertakers & Embalmers. 223 N. Genesee St.
- Undertakers: Edward Conrad & David Q. Hart
1916
Conrad & Wetzel Funeral Directors & Embalmers. 223 N. Genesee St.
- Undertakers: Edward Conrad & William B. Wetzel
William B. Wetzel at the location on Genesee Street. The safe and desk are still currently at Peterson & Patch Funeral Home
1916
William B. Wetzel's Embalming License - dated 1916. This is currently hanging at the Funeral Home on the second floor.
1919
Wetzel & Peterson Funeral Directors & Embalmers. 223 N. Genesee St.
- Undertakers: William B. Wetzel & Frank I. Peterson
1922
Wetzel & Peterson Morticians, 451 N. Sheridan Rd. - Today - 408 N. Sheridan Rd.
- Undertakers: W. B. Wetzel & F.I. Peterson
1949
Peterson F.H. Mr. Peterson retired in 1949
- Undertakers: William C. Hudson, Sherman L. Edwards & J. Willard Etter
1972
Mr. Peterson died on May 14, 1972 at the age of 96!!
1973
Peterson F.H. Mr. Hudson retired on April 1, 1973
1978
Peterson F.H. Mr. Etter retired on April 1, 1978.
- Funeral Director and Owners: Daniel R. Patch, Sr., a long-time firm employee, and Gary H. Marsh, a third-generation Waukegan funeral director.
1979
Daniel R. Patch Sr. at the age of 35 years old - teaching career day in his daughter Dana's classroom at Glenwood Elementary School, Waukegan IL.
1994
Daniel R. Patch Sr. brings on his son Daniel R. Patch, Jr. as owner.
1995
Peterson F.H. name changed to Peterson & Patch Funeral Home.
Currently
The firm continues operation as Peterson & Patch.
- Funeral Director and Owner: Daniel R. Patch, Jr.
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