Open House

Please join us Feb. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.
801 Victor Street, Belpre

After 27 years in the community, Leavitt Funeral Home continues to put families first with an expansion of its Victor Street facility.

"We are (expanding) because over the years we have been in this community, the amenities people need with their families have changed," said owner Jon Leavitt.

The new, more than 1,000-square-foot expansion, includes the Putnam-Houser Reception Room and a kitchen with refrigerators and storage areas.

"The reception room is for families to use in a lot of different ways, not just when there is a funeral," Leavitt said. "And, when there is a funeral, people are coming from out of town and many families don't have a centralized gathering place.

"With this expansion, we can offer that."

Dana Fouss, manager of the Belpre facility, said the new room will offer something the community does not already have.

"Belpre really has nowhere for people to get together," he said. "We want to give them that space."

Leavitt said the reception room will have carpeting and drop ceilings as well as other details to make people comfortable while there.

"We want to make it as intimate and comfortable as possible," he said.

Along with the kitchen, which will not have ovens or stove-top ranges, Leavitt's will also offer catering for groups.

"Our goal isn't to create a catering service, but to create space and relaxation for the families," Leavitt said.

Along with the reception room and kitchen, a children's lounge the only one of its kind in the area will be set up for use during funerals as well as gatherings.

"I think kids need to be involved (in funerals) and now we will have a room for them to play games or watch TV if they need a break from what is happening in their families," Fouss said.

"With the new children's lounge, kids will be with their family, which is where they should be in difficult times."

The grounds will also have an expanded Veterans Memorial that will have benches and space for family members to reflect.

"We are also working with the Veterans Museum of the Mid-Ohio Valley to have a memorial wall inside," Leavitt said.

Leavitt said he does not know how much the expansion will cost in total, but he did mention it will not raise the cost of the business' services.

"We've been saving for this for the last five to seven years," he said. "We did everything we could so we would not create price increases."

Leavitt said the business' commitment to family is very strong and the expansion will show that.

"This is more than an expansion for more room," Leavitt said.

"It's adding services and meeting the needs of the community we serve," Fouss added.

There will be an open house for the new expansion Feb. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The service will include a dedication to community members and a veteran's memorial display.

 
Article reprinted with the permission of the News and Sentinel.

Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory located at 403 7th St. Parkersburg, WV 26101 (304) 422-6459 or 801 Victor St. Belpre, OH 45714 (740) 423-6326