From a small office to a Maine Street fixture
In the spring of 1962, Howard Bennett opened a small office on 9th Street in Quincy. He had recently graduated from mortuary school in St. Louis, returned to his hometown, and decided to set out on his own. The Bennetts had been Adams County farmers for four generations; Howard’s parents thought he was making a strange choice. But his quiet manner and unhurried way with grieving families won the trust of one Quincy family, and then another, and then another.
By 1971 Howard had outgrown the 9th Street office and bought the brick building at 418 Maine Street where Bennett Funeral Home has stood ever since. He oversaw its renovation himself, added a chapel in 1984, and built the gathering room in 1996.
The second and third generations
Daniel Bennett, Howard’s son, joined the firm in 1991 after his own graduation from mortuary school. He became managing partner in 2004 and full owner upon Howard’s retirement in 2014. Sarah Bennett-Walsh, Daniel’s daughter and Howard’s granddaughter, joined the firm in 2018 after working in hospital chaplaincy. She is now a licensed funeral director and our pre-planning coordinator.
Howard Bennett passed away peacefully in 2022, in the family home, at 88 years of age. He had attended more than nine thousand families in his career.
Our team today
Bennett Funeral Home is staffed by nine licensed professionals — funeral directors, embalmers, and pre-planning counselors — supported by a small administrative team. All of us live in Quincy. Most of us grew up here. You’ll see us at the grocery store, at the Quincy Notre Dame basketball games, at the Maine Street parade, and at church.
What you can expect from us
Unhurried conversations. Clearly stated prices. No upselling. No corporate ownership. The same standard of care whether the service is a $1,950 direct cremation or a full traditional funeral. And the same phone number you’ve called, or that your parents called, or that your grandparents called: (217) 223-4100.
If we can help your family in any way, please reach out. We’re available around the clock.