We are focused on placing you on a healing path. We will thoughtfully listen to you, encouraging you to share and talk about your loved one. Best and George B.
Throughout our time with you and your family, we will be a guiding hand helping you make the right choices. In August of 1917, J. Lewis purchased the Joseph Quest Undertaking Company. The business was located on the corner of Church and Main Streets directly south of the Post Office. For several years the concern also operated a furniture business in addition to the mortuary. In 1929 the partnership was moved across the street to the Savoy Building. This building was razed in the late 70’s to make way for the new Palmyra State Bank. Sons of the founders, John B. "Jack" and George M. Lewis, constructed the current building located on the corner of Hamilton and Main Street in 1964. Both Jack and George have served for over 50 years in the funeral industry. Today, the grandsons of the founders David and Steve Lewis continue to operate the family business. An addition and complete renovation of the current building was completed just a few years ago. Lewis Brothers also operated ambulance service in Palmyra and Philadelphia until the Marion County Ambulance District was formed in 1974. For three generations and over 95 years the Lewis & O'Donnell families have served Palmyra and the surrounding communities with caring, dignified funeral services. We welcome you to our page and encourage you to browse the many offerings and information accessible here. We are available to answer questions 24 hours a day and invite you to contact us by phone or by e-mail.
12/23/2025
Beverly Robertson, 77, of Palmyra, MO passed away at 2:51 PM, Monday, December 22, 2025, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra, MO.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel of Palmyra, MO. Pastor Jimmy Baker and Pastor Eric Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to Beverly’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, December 26, 2025, the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
12/22/2025
Rhonda J. Plunkett, 75, of Philadelphia, MO passed away at 12:25 PM, Sunday, December 21, 2025, at home in Philadelphia, MO.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 PM, Monday, December 29, 2025, at the Nelsonville Assembly of God Church in Nelsonville, MO. Pastor Isiah Jesch will officiate.
Friends and Family are invited to Rhonda’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday, December 29, 2025, the Nelsonville Assembly of God Church in Nelsonville, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
12/19/2025
Homemaker, Wonderful Cook and Oil Painting
Today we honored Winifred Hall at her Life Celebration. Winifred grew up in the area and graduated from Palmyra High School. She worked at Maple Lawn and was a devoted homemaker. Winifred loved to travel and cherished the many trips she took. She was a wonderful cook known for her homemade noodles, enjoyed oil painting inspired by Bob Ross, and listened to Gene Autry and the Grand Ole Opry. Above all, she will be remembered for her kindness, joyful spirit, love for her Siamese cats, and the genuine care she showed to others.
12/17/2025
Sunday evening we held our annual Candlelight Memorial Service. We would like to thank those of you who were able to join us.
It was a beautiful and heartfelt time of remembrance, reflection, and shared comfort. Each candle lit reflected the love and respect held for those we honor and remember.
We would like to thank Carol Bezler for the beautiful music, Pastor Wes Gehrke for his words of encouragement and to Thomas Thurman for organizing this special ceremony. We are deeply grateful to all of you who helped make the ceremony so meaningful and special.
12/17/2025
Talented Seamstress, Traveling and Gardening
Yesterday, we honored the life of Debra Ann “Nana” Bock at her Life Celebration. Debbie was a kind and creative woman whose Catholic faith guided the way she lived and treated others. She had a generous heart, always caring for those around her, and was especially gifted in sewing, even making her own wedding dress. Debbie found joy in travel, camping, gardening, fishing, and simple pleasures at home like puzzles, classic movies, and cooking for others. Above all, she cherished her family and treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Debbie will be remembered for her warmth, patience, and the lasting love she shared with everyone she knew.
12/16/2025
Winifred Rosaleen Hall, 97, of Palmyra, MO, passed away at 6:00 PM, Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra, MO.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO. Rev. Chris Combs will officiate. Burial will follow at Little Union Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to Winifred’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
12/14/2025
Today is our Candlelight Memorial Service at 4:00 pm.
It's cold outside. Please feel free to pull around back and we will gladly park your car for you.
12/13/2025
Just a reminder that our Candlelight Memorial Service will be held this Sunday, December 14th at 4:00 pm.
Everyone is welcome!
12/10/2025
Debra Ann "Nana” Bock, 72, of Palmyra, MO, passed away at 7:54 PM, Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palmyra, MO. Father Gerald Kaimann will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to Debbie’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, December 15, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO. A Rosary will follow at 7:00 PM. Deacon Dwayne Goodwin will officiate.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
12/08/2025
Palmyra Panther Basketball, Crocheting Afgans and the Farm!
On Saturday, we honored the life of Judy Barnett at her Life Celebration. Judy served for many years as the secretary to the principal in the Palmyra School District, she adored the students and carried deep Panther pride. She loved cheering at basketball games and especially watching her grandchildren’s sporting events. She drove the tractor during hay season, kept a large vegetable garden, and was known for her delicious cooking. She enjoyed traveling, reading Grisham and Steel novels, playing Bunco, camping, fishing, and listening to oldies music. Remembered for her kindness, humor, and hardworking spirit, Judy leaves behind a legacy of love and loyalty that will continue to inspire her family and friends.
12/02/2025
Judy Barnett, 81, of Palmyra, MO, passed away at 4:20 AM, Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO. Rev. Steve Barker will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to Judy’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
12/02/2025
Join us for our annual Candlelight Memorial Service as we gather to remember, honor, and reflect on the loved ones who live forever in our hearts. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Time: December 14, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm
Place: Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel
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Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel - 100 Years of Service
This August marks 100 years The Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel of Palmyra has been serving our region.
Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel has a history rooted in the Palmyra community. In August of 1917, J. Best and George B. Lewis purchased the Joseph Quest Undertaking Company. At that time the business was located on the corner of Church and Main Streets, directly to the south of the Post Office. For several years the operation included a furniture business, in addition to the mortuary. This was a common practice during the time period. In 1929, the partnership moved across the street to the Savoy Building (this building was later razed in the late 1970’s to make way for the new Palmyra State Bank). The sons of the founders, John B. “Jack” Lewis and George M. Lewis, constructed the current building in 1964, which is located at the corner of Hamilton and Main Street. Before the Marion County Ambulance District was formed in 1974, the Lewis Brothers also served the community by providing ambulance service in Palmyra and Philadelphia. In the mid-1980s the third generation of Lewis Brothers funeral directors joined the firm, David M. Lewis and Steven W. Lewis. David and Steve have served Palmyra for decades as they have assisted countless families in their time of need. In September of 2015, James J. O’Donnell joined the Lewis Brothers family of funeral directors when he purchased the business.
O’Donnell says, “Having the opportunity to serve a wonderful community like Palmyra and the surrounding area with gifted directors like David and Steve Lewis in truly a privilege. Our fathers and grandfathers worked together serving families many times over the years. To continue that tradition is an honor.”
Throughout the years, Lewis Brothers has always strived to provide the community with the finest service. They have evolved from the horse and buggy days of funeral service to providing the community with the first motorized hearse in Marion County in 1918. They have served the community with an ambulance service, providing emergency services before an ambulance district existed. Today they provide Life Celebration Experiences that allow families to truly celebrate and remember their loved one. These personal services honor those we love. Through creative tributes and one of-a-kind keepsakes, the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel is providing the families they serve with unique remembrances. These moments bring family and friends closer to the journey of healing from a loss.
Steve Lewis states, “It has truly been an honor, more so a privilege, for Lewis Brothers to serve their community for 100 years. Families have placed their trust in our family for many generations and for that, we feel eternally grateful.”
Mr. Lewis continues, “As with other businesses, the funeral industry continues to change and evolve. A funeral service 5 years ago is not the same as it is today. Now we want to walk down the path of a person’s life and celebrate everything that makes Mom, Dad or that loved one special. That may mean having grandma’s oatmeal cookie recipe on a card for a keepsake, or transforming our parlors into a bowling alley because that’s where Dad always liked to hang out. We aspire to make our services to be personal and relevant; no two lives should be celebrated identically. Tradition is a very important part of what we do, and we will always honor that. We want to provide the community with a way to heal that truly honors their loved one.”
