Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes

Home
United States
Bedford, IN
Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes

In the mid 1940’s, a third partner was taken in by the name of Roy Speer. Upon the death of Raymond Sherwood, the name changed to Ferguson-Speer Funeral Home.

Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes has been providing funeral services for the community at the corner of "18th" and "I" Streets in Bedford since 1937. The current Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes was started in 1937 by Raymond Sherwood and Claude Ferguson, known as Sherwood–Ferguson Funeral Home, located at the current corner of 18th and “I” Streets in Bedford, Indiana. Roy Speer took control of Mr. Ferguson’s share in the business and became the sole owner. The business operated with Mr. Ferguson as an employee only until 1959. On June 1, 1959, Paul Branson and Robert Lee purchased the assets and business of Ferguson-Speer Funeral Home, and the name was changed to Ferguson-Branson Funeral Home. In 1962, Paul Branson had a series of coronaries and Robert Lee assumed the debt of the funeral home and became the sole owner. Claude Ferguson stayed on as a senior employee and advisor and the name became Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home, at the same location. In 1973, Mr. Ferguson died. In 1971, Lee constructed a new funeral home on the same location’s parking lot and proceeded to tear down the house on “I” Street in order to make a complete parking lot. In 2004, a substantial addition was made to the parking lot by eliminating other residences. These homes were the homes of current owner Phil Thorne's great-grandparents, William J. and Louisa Kathryn (Schaefer) Thorne
and great-great-grandparents, Casper and Rosina (Gerhart) Schaefer. In the late 1980’s, Robert E. Lee II, son of Robert Lee, joined Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home as a Funeral Director and later Manager, until his death on January 14, 2001. Robert Lee continued to operate the funeral home until December 1, 2016, when the newly formed corporation of Thorne Family Funeral Homes purchased the business and Philip and Amelia Thorne became the owners of the funeral home. We look forward to continuing the tradition and excellence provided by the Lee family for many years to come.

11/28/2025

What’s the best Thanksgiving food to eat as leftovers the next day?
🦃🍽️ Tell us your pick!

11/27/2025

Thanksgiving reminds us that love endures beyond every season. We’re thinking of all who are remembering someone special today.

11/23/2025

On this beautiful Saturday morning we celebrated the life of Philip Scherschel with a graveside inurnment at Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Fr. Jegan Peter of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church officiated the service. At this service we utilized our urn carrier that allows us to still have pallbearers and provides a beautiful place for the urn to be displayed. Whether it is cremation or a traditional burial, we do our best to make sure each person is honored and the family that we are serving has the opportunity to do what they need to do to grieve in a healthy and peaceful way. No two people are exactly alike, and no two funerals should be either. We appreciate the opportunity to plan a service especially for those we serve.

11/22/2025

Today is International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day.
We grieve with everyone carrying the weight of this kind of loss, and we’re here to remind you that help is always available.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you can call or text 988.
It’s the national Su***de & Crisis Lifeline — free, confidential, and available 24/7 to support anyone in emotional distress.

You are not alone.

11/22/2025

Ruth Potter, 83, of Bedford, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at StoneBridge Health Campus. She was born on August 16, 1942, in Bedford, Indiana, to the late Ed Turpen and Evalou (Wray) Porter. In 1963, she married Dennis M. Potter in Illinois, and he preceded her in death.

Ruth w...

View Ruthie Potter's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

11/22/2025

Today we had the honor of holding the funeral services of Joseph Walter Elliott. Everything the family chose for the service and visitation was about him. Pictures, newspaper articles, and awards he had garnered as a businessman filled the chapel. Special golf casket corners were added to remember his love of the game. A logo of his company was embroidered into the lid of his casket, and the top of his vault was wrapped in a print with some pictures and another copy of their company logo. To top it off, we took the procession past the Indiana Steele plant that he and his sons own. There, a semi-load of steel being shipped joined in the procession to es**rt the funeral coach through town. Making funerals personal helps us remember and celebrate those who have passed. It also helps us heal when we suffer such a loss. Thank you to the Elliott's for choosing us to handle Joe's arrangements. It was certainly our honor to do so.

Address

818 18th Street
Bedford, IN
47421

Website

https://www.fergusonlee.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Bedford?

Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes

11/28/2025

11/27/2025

11/27/2025

11/23/2025

11/22/2025

11/22/2025

11/22/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category