Heritage Funeral Homes

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Oak Creek, WI
Heritage Funeral Homes

For over 100 years the Heritage Funeral Homes family has been serving the families of Milwaukee. In 1914 John T. Following World War II his son John T. Joseph G.

Heritage Funeral Homes was formed by the joining together of three separate funeral businesses in Milwaukee. Scheuerell began assisting the families of Bay View. Scheuerell Jr., and in 1975 his grandson James E. Scheuerell continued this tradition of service. After owning another funeral home for many years, Wilfred Tebo and his sons-in-law James Peppey and John B. Klemmer started Tebo Peppey Klemmer Funeral Home in 1965. In 1975 John T. Klemmer joined the firm. Over the years the faces have changed, but the ownership and management stayed in the family. For many years the Gillette Johnson & Sons Funeral Home was a fixture on Milwaukee's south side with ties to the community dating back as far as the 1930's. Gillette Johnson, one of the founders of the firm eventually passed the reins to his son Lynn Johnson and his son-in-law Raymond Reiss. In the late 1970's their sons, Timothy Johnson and Mark Reiss joined the firm. In 1986 they expanded the business by building another funeral home in Oak Creek. In February of 1995 James Scheuerell, John Klemmer, Timothy Johnson and Mark Reiss merged their respective businesses into one firm named Heritage Funeral Homes. Throughout the years, the families of Heritage Funeral Homes have built a reputation of serving the people of Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin with dignity and compassion. Later in 1995, Lohman Funeral Service became a part of Heritage Funeral Homes. Koch began working at Lohman's in 1947 and became owner in 1956. For many years Joe continued to serve families at Heritage Funeral Homes. In 2002 Heritage Funeral Homes built a new funeral home and crematory in New Berlin, Wisconsin. With this new facility Heritage Funeral Homes will continue serving families in southeastern Wisconsin with the same tradition of caring that our other funeral homes are known for. In 2005 Paul Johnson, Jim Klemmer and Jeff Klemmer, sons of current owners, joined Heritage Funeral Homes' staff and today represent the 4th generation in the funeral business. In 2006 Richard B. Lee joined Heritage Funeral Homes after many years of ownership at Franzen Jung Kaufman & Weiand Funeral Home and today continues to serve the Latvian community among others. In 2007 Altstadt Tyborski Ermenc McLeod joined Heritage Funeral Homes. Altstadt Tyborski has served the families of southeast Wisconsin for over 100 years, and will continue to do so as a part of Heritage Funeral Homes.

10/30/2025

If you’ve ever called Heritage Funeral Homes and been greeted by a voice filled with warmth, kindness, and calm — there’s a good chance you were speaking with Rachael Runkel, our head administrator. Rachael has been part of our Heritage family for many years, and her compassion shines through in everything she does.

What many may not know is that Rachael’s connection to the Oak Creek community runs deep and her family has been an integral part of Independent Cemetery, one of Oak Creek’s oldest cemeteries, since its early days. Today, Rachael serves as the head trustee, continuing a long tradition of care and stewardship that’s been passed down through generations.

We’re so proud to see Rachael and her family featured in The Current’s story about Independent Cemetery — a true Oak Creek treasure that relies on dedicated volunteers like the Runkel and Honadel families to preserve its history and beauty.

Take a moment to read the full article below — it’s a wonderful reminder of the heart, history, and humanity that make Oak Creek such a special place.

Please visit https://www.flipsnack.com/596E8D99E8C/winter-2025-oak-creek-current/full-view.html?p=1 to read the publication in full!

10/25/2025

🎃 Halloween is just around the corner, and we wanted to share fun highlights from this year’s Bay View Pumpkin Pavilion, which we were proud to sponsor!

This event has been a family favorite for years. From the pumpkin displays to all the smiling faces, it truly captured the spirit of the season!

Wishing everyone a safe and spook-tacular Trick-or-Treat this weekend! 🍬

10/23/2025

Join Us for a Lunch & Learn!

We invite you to join Heritage Funeral Homes for an informative and relaxed Lunch & Learn on Thursday, November 6 at 12:00 p.m. at the New Berlin Ale House.

Enjoy a complimentary lunch while learning about the options and benefits of Advance Funeral and Cremation Planning. We’ll cover common questions, share helpful insights, and leave plenty of time for open discussion.

It’s a comfortable, no-pressure setting to explore ways to protect your loved ones from future stress and ensure your wishes are honored.

📍 New Berlin Ale House
16000 West Cleveland Ave., New Berlin, WI 53151

📞 Call (414) 321-7440 today to reserve your spot — seating is limited!

We look forward to seeing you there.

10/10/2025

📣 TOMORROW!! FREE Shred Event 📣

Join us on Saturday, October 11th at our Heritage Funeral Home in Oak Creek from 9:00–11:00 AM for a completely FREE community shred event!

✔ Secure, on-site shredding
✔ Open to the public
✔ Up to 5 boxes maximum per person

This is a safe and simple way to dispose of old documents while protecting your personal information. Spread the word and bring a friend—our team looks forward to seeing you there!

10/07/2025

📣 FREE Shred Event 📣

Join us on Saturday, October 11th at our Heritage Funeral Home in Oak Creek from 9:00–11:00 AM for a completely FREE community shred event!

✔ Secure, on-site shredding
✔ Open to the public
✔ Up to 5 boxes maximum per person

This is a safe and simple way to dispose of old documents while protecting your personal information. Spread the word and bring a friend—our team looks forward to seeing you there!

09/27/2025

✨Doors Open Milwaukee at Heritage Funeral Home – Suminski Weiss✨

Step inside one of Milwaukee’s most historic funeral homes and discover a world of history, architecture, and tradition. Built in the 1920s, our building features exquisite woodwork, tiled fountains, and preserved details that tell the story of nearly a century of service to our community.

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27 – 10 AM to 5 PM
📅 Sunday, Sept. 28 – 10 AM to 5 PM

📍 1901 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee (use our private parking lot)

Special Guest: Steve Person, “The Victorian Undertaker”
Join Steve for fascinating and lighthearted talks about funeral customs of the 1800s, antique tools of the trade, and how undertakers evolved into today’s funeral directors. Presentation Times (both days): 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.

📸 Photography is welcome — come curious, leave inspired!

09/26/2025

✨Doors Open Milwaukee at Heritage Funeral Home – Suminski Weiss✨

Step inside one of Milwaukee’s most historic funeral homes and discover a world of history, architecture, and tradition. Built in the 1920s, our building features exquisite woodwork, tiled fountains, and preserved details that tell the story of nearly a century of service to our community.

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27 – 10 AM to 5 PM
📅 Sunday, Sept. 28 – 10 AM to 5 PM
📍 1901 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee (use our private parking lot)

Special Guest: Steve Person, “The Victorian Undertaker”
Join Steve for fascinating and lighthearted talks about funeral customs of the 1800s, antique tools of the trade, and how undertakers evolved into today’s funeral directors. Presentation Times (both days): 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.

📸 Photography is welcome — come curious, leave inspired!

09/25/2025

✨ Step Back in Time with The Victorian Undertaker! ✨

As part of this year’s Doors Open Milwaukee, we are thrilled to welcome Steve Person – The Victorian Undertaker – to our historic funeral home.

Steve brings the 1800s to life with fascinating stories, antique tools of the trade, and the often-surprising customs of Victorian mourning.

This is a rare chance to experience history in a setting that has preserved it for generations. Whether you’re a history lover, curious about old customs, or simply intrigued by Milwaukee’s hidden stories, you won’t want to miss this!

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27 – 10 AM to 5 PM
📅 Sunday, Sept. 28 – 10 AM to 5 PM
📍 1901 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee (please use our private parking lot)
Presentation Times (both days): 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM

https://historicmilwaukee.org/doors-open/buildings/heritage-funeral-home-suminski-weiss/

Come for the history, stay for the stories. ✨

09/24/2025

✨ Step Inside History at Doors Open Milwaukee! ✨

We’re excited to welcome the community into our historic funeral home for this year’s Doors Open event. Built in the 1920's our building is full of rich architecture, fascinating stories, and rare antique funeral items you won’t see anywhere else.

https://historicmilwaukee.org/doors-open/buildings/heritage-funeral-home-suminski-weiss/

Whether you’re a history buff, architecture lover, or simply curious about funeral service, this is your chance to take a look inside.

📅 Saturday Sept 27th and Sunday Sept 28th from 10-5pm
📍 Heritage/ Suminski Funeral Home (1901 N. Farwell Ave, Milwaukee)

09/15/2025

🌟 Doors Open Milwaukee 2025 🌟

We’re excited to welcome you into Heritage Funeral Home – Suminski/Weiss as part of this year’s Doors Open Milwaukee!

📍 1901 N. Farwell Ave, Milwaukee
📅 Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 27–28
⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Step inside our historic building and explore the stories, architecture, and unique history of funeral service in Milwaukee. Throughout the weekend, a presenter will be speaking to small groups about antique funeral practices—a fascinating glimpse into how traditions have evolved over time.

Our friendly staff will also be on hand to answer questions and share insights. Whether you’ve always been curious about our space or just love local history, this is the perfect opportunity to take a look inside.

✨ Free admission, all are welcome!
Learn more here: https://historicmilwaukee.org/doors-open/buildings/heritage-funeral-home-suminski-weiss/

Doors Open Milwaukee
Wisconsin Historical Society

06/30/2025

💛 You made it through June. 💛

Whether this month was heavy or healing, stormy or still—we’re grateful you walked through it with us.

Each post this month was shared with care, knowing that grief doesn't disappear just because the calendar flips. Our hope was to offer small moments of comfort, connection, and reflection—and we hope something here helped you feel seen.
Grief is not a problem to solve. It’s a story we carry. And the way we carry it, together, makes all the difference.

As we turn toward July, we invite you to bring forward the gentle truths this month offered:
– That love endures.
– That joy and sorrow can coexist.
– That your story, and your healing, matter.

🌼 Before we go—what was your favorite post, prompt, or takeaway this month? Let us know in the comments. Your words help guide what we share next.
Thank you for being here. We’re honored to be in community with you. 🤍

Address

7625 S Howell Avenue
Oak Creek, WI
53154

Telephone

+14143217440

Website

http://www.heritagefuneral.com/

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Our Story

Heritage Funeral Homes was formed by the joining together of three separate funeral businesses in Milwaukee. In 1914 John T. Scheuerell began assisting the families of Bay View. Following World War II his son John T. Scheuerell Jr., and in 1975 his grandson James E. Scheuerell continued this tradition of service. After owning another funeral home for many years, Wilfred Tebo and his sons-in-law James Peppey and John B. Klemmer started Tebo Peppey Klemmer Funeral Home in 1965. In 1975 John T. Klemmer joined the firm. Over the years the faces have changed, but the ownership and management stayed in the family. For many years the Gillette Johnson & Sons Funeral Home was a fixture on Milwaukee's south side with ties to the community dating back as far as the 1930's. Gillette Johnson, one of the founders of the firm eventually passed the reins to his son Lynn Johnson and his son-in-law Raymond Reiss. In the late 1970's their sons, Timothy Johnson and Mark Reiss joined the firm. In 1986 they expanded the business by building another funeral home in Oak Creek. In February of 1995 James Scheuerell, John Klemmer, Timothy Johnson and Mark Reiss merged their respective businesses into one firm named Heritage Funeral Homes. Throughout the years, the families of Heritage Funeral Homes have built a reputation of serving the people of Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin with dignity and compassion. Later in 1995, Lohman Funeral Service became a part of Heritage Funeral Homes. Joseph G. Koch began working at Lohman's in 1947 and became owner in 1956. For many years Joe continued to serve families at Heritage Funeral Homes. In 2002 Heritage Funeral Homes built a new funeral home and crematory in New Berlin, Wisconsin. With this new facility Heritage Funeral Homes will continue serving families in southeastern Wisconsin with the same tradition of caring that our other funeral homes are known for. In 2005 Paul Johnson, Jim Klemmer and Jeff Klemmer, sons of current owners, joined Heritage Funeral Homes' staff and today represent the 4th generation in the funeral business. In 2006 Richard B. Lee joined Heritage Funeral Homes after many years of ownership at Franzen Jung Kaufman & Weiand Funeral Home and today continues to serve the Latvian community among others. In 2007 Altstadt Tyborski Ermenc McLeod joined Heritage Funeral Homes. Altstadt Tyborski has served the families of southeast Wisconsin for over 100 years, and will continue to do so as a part of Heritage Funeral Homes.