Alhiser-Comer Mortuary

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary Family owned and operated. FD:297

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is proud to be Escondido's oldest continually operated business. Originally opening in 1897. Frank G. Mr.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is a part of Escondido History as the city’s oldest continually operating business. With undertaking advertisements dating back to 1893, our early forefathers began a legacy of funeral service tradition and excellence and a spirit that continues on today. In the 1890’s, J.H. Sampson opened an undertaking parlor and livery in Escondido on Grand Avenue. He used a casson (or horse-drawn funeral carriage) to transport the deceased. The dignified trip to the cemetery was complete with top-hatted driver and a team of jet-black horses. Thompson bought Sampson out shortly after the turn of the century. And built a new parlor with rooms dedicated to undertaking on South Lime Street (now Broadway) and Iowa Street (now 3rd Ave). He operated the business under the name F.G. Thompson Funeral Director. Thompson and his family successfully ran the business until it was sold to Halleck ‘HAL’ F. Johnson from Riverside, who operated under the name Hal F. Johnson Funeral Director in the latter half of the 1920’s and under the name The Johnson Funeral Chapel in the 1930’s. Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Seale of Fullerton took over operations for a brief three-month period from March 1936 thru July 1936. They ran a few advertisements in the local paper under the name Johnson-Seale Mortuary. This is all we know about their abrupt entrance and departure. In July of 1936, a former Escondido resident returned to buy the parlor from the Seale family. Thus entered the now legendary name of C.B. Alhiser into the history of the mortuary. Clovis B. Alhiser and his wife operated under the name Alhiser Mortuary for twelve years until 1948, but the Alhiser name became a piece of Escondido History, still gracing our building today. In September 1948, Ralph L. Wilson of Long Beach purchased the mortuary and changed the name to Alhiser-Wilson Mortuary. The Wilson Family doubled the floorspace, created new parking by moving the home that was located on the corner of Broadway and Third to its current place in back of the mortuary. Sharon Disney (formerly Sharon Wilson) took charge of the business for many years and was very well known in the community. Sharon continued the tradition of family run funeral service and brought the mortuary to its full potential. In 1989, Bill Comer family purchased the mortuary. When Bill Comer retired, he sold the business to his son, Stuart Comer, who resides in Escondido. As a local resident, Mr. Comer is sensitive to the community and has a vested interest in its energy and vitality. Comer has extensively refurbished and updated the building. In 2000, the name was changed to Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, after 11 years of ownership by the Comer family. Stuart has maintained our forefather’s legacy of innovation, style, and commitment to serving our families with dignity and compassion. Stuart Comer opened Lakepointe Cremtatorium in Lake Elsinore, where licensed Alhiser-Comer Mortuary personnel perform all our cremations. The state of the art facility is clean and operated above and beyond the legal requirements of state regulations. All families are welcome to inspect our facilities or witness the cremation of their loved one in our special family area, complete with the comforts of home. This is in keeping with our tradition of handling each and every aspect of premiere service here by our staff.

Dr. Thomas William Knipstein passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026 at his home in Escondido following a short illn...
04/08/2026

Dr. Thomas William Knipstein passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026 at his home in Escondido following a short illness. His wife of 63 years, Nancy, and oldest daughter were at his side.

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Esther and Alvin Knipstein, Tom was a cross-country runner and an avid...

Read the obituary of Thomas William Knipstein from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

04/03/2026

Read the obituary of Richard F. Herkert Jr. from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

Benny Magante, age 64, crossed over to the spirit world on Sunday, March 29th. Benny was a tribal member of the La Jolla...
04/01/2026

Benny Magante, age 64, crossed over to the spirit world on Sunday, March 29th.
Benny was a tribal member of the La Jolla Indian Reservation here in Southern California and lived here his whole life. Growing up in Northern and Southern California his dad moved them around to places like...

Read the obituary of Benjamin Magante Jr. from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

Gloria Alegre was a Tejana woman born under the harsh El Paso sun during the even harsher times of the Great Depression ...
03/25/2026

Gloria Alegre was a Tejana woman born under the harsh El Paso sun during the even harsher times of the Great Depression in the westernmost part of Texas. She was born to two hardworking parents: a housewife who gave birth to and raised over 23 children, making sure each and every one was cared...

Read the obituary of Gloria A Castellon from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Con Mark Slack on February 18, 2026, in Escondido, CA. He was a b...
03/16/2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Con Mark Slack on February 18, 2026, in Escondido, CA. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend. Con was born in Iowa in 1941, the middle-son to Roscoe and Eleanor Slack and split his time between home and the...

Read the obituary of Con Mark Slack from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

Gerardo Madera De La Torre passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, age 79 in Escondido Ca. Gerardo was born on April 1,...
03/13/2026

Gerardo Madera De La Torre passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, age 79 in Escondido Ca. Gerardo was born on April 1, 1946, in Huejuquilla El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico to his parents Gregorio Madera and Magdalena De La Torre. Gerardo immigrated to the United States in 1963 and he would cross the...

Read the obituary of Gerardo Madera De La Torre from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

03/11/2026

NORTH COUNTY, SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Alhiser-Comer Mortuary has announced the acquisition of Allen Brothers Mortuary’s Vista and San Marcos Chapels, uniting these long-standing, family-owned funeral homes with deep roots

Dr. Gary L. Fultz, age 85, of Rancho Bernardo, CA., passed away on February 20th, 2026. Gary was born on July 24th, 1940...
03/11/2026

Dr. Gary L. Fultz, age 85, of Rancho Bernardo, CA., passed away on February 20th, 2026. Gary was born on July 24th, 1940, in Pasadena, to Lee and Clara Fultz. Gary, and his younger brother, Dennis, enjoyed their childhood in Pasadena. The brothers built forts and loved setting off “homemade”...

Read the obituary of Dr. Gary Lee Fultz from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

03/10/2026

Read the obituary of Marcella A. Tortes from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

03/09/2026

Read the obituary of Rudy Raynaldo Canalez from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

Betty Anne Nagtalon, 78, passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2026, after a courageous nine-month battle with canc...
03/09/2026

Betty Anne Nagtalon, 78, passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2026, after a courageous nine-month battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband and six children as she entered eternal rest.
Betty was born on April 22, 1947, in Escondido, California, to Fermin and Carmen...

Read the obituary of Betty Nagtalon from Escondido, CA. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

Address

225 S Broadway
Escondido, CA
92025

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17607452162

Website

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