In 1817, Erastus E. Eells, I came to Elkrun Township with his father from Calpboard, Connecticut. In 1824, he moved to Lisbon and became an apprentice cabinet-maker to Joseph Leslie. In February of 1828, Mr. Eells began a cabinet-making business of his own and also began engaging himself as a funeral director. Until 1866, Mr. Eells constructed all of the wooden caskets used in Lisbon and the surrounding areas, one of which is still in the possession of the funeral home, he drove 50,000 miles, all on horse and buggy, and was renowned for having never missed an appointment or engagement, even though he conducted funerals at points as far away as Cleveland, Cadiz, New Castle, and Canton.

Upon his death in 1892, Mr. Eells’ son, Leonard H. Eells, assumed ownership of the business. In 1901, Leonard passed the business onto his son, Erastus E. Eells, II, who was assisted by his wife Jane, who was one of the first woman morticians in the entire United States. Their sons, Gerald V. Eells and Myron Eells, together with their wives, Esther Jane and Doris M. Eells, carried on the funeral business until their deaths. Doris M. Eells continued to operate the business until it was sold in 1947 to Robert B. Leggett. Concluding 119 years of business ownership by the Eells family, the funeral home enjoyed the unique distinction of being the oldest funeral business operated continuously by the same family in the entire United States.

In 1948, Mr. Leggett added his name to the business, converting the traditions and honored legend to the Eells-Leggett Funeral Home. In 1953, an addition was added onto the rear of the funeral home to make more room for larger visitations and funeral services. In 1976, R. Lynn Leggett, son of Robert B. Leggett, assumed ownership, due to his father’s declining health.

In the spring of 1998, a young funeral director and close friend of Lynn Leggett’s, Charles “Chip” Stauffer returned to Lisbon from Akron to assist Mr. Leggett, who was dealing with his own declining health. In November of 2001, Chip and his wife, Stacey purchased the historic funeral home. In January 2003, a year after the death of R. Lynn Leggett, Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer added their name to the renowned funeral home, beginning the next chapter of the legacy that is currently known as the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home.

The funeral home’s 175 th anniversary in 2003 was marked by a complete redecorating of the funeral homes interior and replacement of most furnishings, returning the funeral home to its stately Victorian grandeur. In 2004, the Stauffer’s purchased the adjacent 217 West Lincoln Way property. The former row houses were razed after much consideration in the spring of 2006 and a new garage was built on the rear of the property in the summer of 2007. The Stauffer’s level of commitment and pursuit of excellence was recognized in the fall of 2006, as they were honored for their outstanding service by being invited to join the prestigious International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), a professional association of independently owned and operated Golden Rule funeral homes. An invitation to join OGR, comes only after an extensive examination by the association of a funeral homes ethics, reputation in the community and their level of service, and only after passing their scrutiny is an invitation extended. Golden Rule funeral homes must adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards, providing dignified and caring service at fair and reasonable prices.

Those close to the Stauffer family will attest to their passion and commitment to the traditions of their funeral home and to their profession. 2008 marks the historic funeral home’s 180th year of continuous service to the Village of Lisbon and surrounding communities.

As with some of the previous owners, Mrs. Stacey Stauffer, has begun her apprenticeship to become a licensed funeral director. As a licensed funeral director, she will assume responsibility of the funeral homes “Bridges of Transition” aftercare program and will assist her husband with funerals and prearrangements.