Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes

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.

Willard Cracraft, 88, of Bedford, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025.Born January 27, 1937, in Lawrence County,...
09/29/2025

Willard Cracraft, 88, of Bedford, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Born January 27, 1937, in Lawrence County, he was the son of Herman and Evelyn (Ritter) Cracraft. He graduated from Oolitic High School in 1955 and married Ruby Sharr on February 14, 1960.

Willie retired from Co...

View Willard E. Cracraft's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

09/29/2025
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 12:30pm at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Fune...
09/28/2025

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 12:30pm at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes in Bedford, Indiana with Pastor Philip Thorne officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00am until 12:30pm, at Ferguson-Lee Chapel.

A full obituary will be publish...

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

Today we honor Gold Star Families — their sacrifice is felt every day, and their loved ones are never forgotten. Freedom...
09/28/2025

Today we honor Gold Star Families — their sacrifice is felt every day, and their loved ones are never forgotten. Freedom is not free. We stand with those who have sacrificed most.

Remember when these were popular?
09/27/2025

Remember when these were popular?

Please contact us with any questions about preplanning.
09/25/2025

Please contact us with any questions about preplanning.

While we love talking to you in person, we understand that some would rather start their planning online. All of our pri...
09/25/2025

While we love talking to you in person, we understand that some would rather start their planning online. All of our prices are available online, including our complete packages. Go to www.FergusonLee.com and click on "Online Pricing & Planning" at the top of the page for easy access!

Larry D. MagnusDecember 6, 1973 – September 12, 2025Larry D. Magnus, 51, of Henryville, Indiana, passed away on Septembe...
09/25/2025

Larry D. Magnus
December 6, 1973 – September 12, 2025
Larry D. Magnus, 51, of Henryville, Indiana, passed away on September 12, 2025, at Norton Clark Hospital in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He was born on December 6, 1973, in Bedford, Indiana, to the late Larry Magnus and Brenda (Blackburn) Gross....

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

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818 18th Street
Bedford, IN
47421

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