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.

Today we had the honor of holding the funeral services of Joseph Walter Elliott. Everything the family chose for the ser...
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.

11/21/2025
James L. “Jim” Wathen, 70, of Huntsville, AL, formerly of Bedford, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. a...
11/20/2025

James L. “Jim” Wathen, 70, of Huntsville, AL, formerly of Bedford, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at Regency Health Care & Rehab Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Born January 17, 1955, in Evansville, Indiana, he was the son of John L. Wathen and Betty (Brendel) Wathen.

Jam...

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

Marilyn Kay Kelley Turner, 83, of Heltonville, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at her residence. Born January ...
11/20/2025

Marilyn Kay Kelley Turner, 83, of Heltonville, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at her residence. Born January 24, 1942, in Monroe County, Indiana, she was the daughter of Uyless and Altha Southern Kelley. She married Robert Turner on March 19, 1956, and he preceded her in death on Septembe...

View Marilyn Kay Turner's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Today is Children’s Grief Awareness Day — a reminder that kids grieve deeply, even if they don’t always have the words t...
11/20/2025

Today is Children’s Grief Awareness Day — a reminder that kids grieve deeply, even if they don’t always have the words to say it. If you’re supporting a grieving child, you’re not alone. In parthernship with Dr. Troyer, we are offering a free booklet filled with practical tips to help children and teens as they grieve.

No registration and no email required.
https://bit.ly/48jpQZc

Connie Sue Chastain, 80, of Bedford, passed away on November 16, 2025. She was born on November 26, 1944, to the late Cl...
11/19/2025

Connie Sue Chastain, 80, of Bedford, passed away on November 16, 2025. She was born on November 26, 1944, to the late Clarence and Lucille (Wilkerson) Grubb. On March 2, 1963, she married Russell Chastain, and he survives.

Visitation for Connie will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, fr...

View Connie Sue Chastain's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

A unique life deserves a one-of-a-kind celebration.
11/18/2025

A unique life deserves a one-of-a-kind celebration.

Joseph Walter Elliott, 91, of Bedford, passed away at 4:58 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, surrounded by his lovin...
11/17/2025

Joseph Walter Elliott, 91, of Bedford, passed away at 4:58 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 6, 1934, in St. Bernice, Indiana, to Zachariah and Edith Fern (Clark) Elliott. He was one of nine children. His parents and siblings, John Elliot...

View Joseph Walter Elliott's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Nancy Lou Rollins, 84, of Bedford, passed away Sunday, November 16th, at 9:22pm at Westview Nursing Home in Bedford, Ind...
11/17/2025

Nancy Lou Rollins, 84, of Bedford, passed away Sunday, November 16th, at 9:22pm at Westview Nursing Home in Bedford, Indiana. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 29,1940, to Eugene Victor Zumwalt and Dorothy Virginia Harriett (Guy) Zumwalt.

Nancy loved her family and farm life, wit...

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

Address

818 18th Street
Bedford, IN
47421

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:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram