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.
11/03/2025
Max B. Schaefer, 95, of Palmyra, MO passed away at 4:05 AM, Monday, November 3, 2025, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra, MO.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra, MO. Pastor Wes Gehrke will officiate. Burial with full Military Honors performed by Boots-Dickson Post #174 of the American Legion will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to Max’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
10/30/2025
Charles W. Burkhardt, 82, of Palmyra, MO, passed away at 8:12 PM, Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at his home in Palmyra, MO.
Funeral Services with full military honors performed by Boots-Dickson Post #174 of the American Legion will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO. Pastor Mark Carpenter will officiate.
Friends and Family are invited to Charles’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
10/26/2025
The last Sunday in October is visit a cemetery day.
10/19/2025
We lovingly remember Lakelynn Leighanne Hill, the cherished daughter of Austin and Icelynn Hill, who was born still at 7:02 am, Friday, October 17, 2025, at Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, MO.
There will be no services at this time.
Arrangements are under the direction of the...
10/16/2025
Crafting, Canning and Coffee!
This morning, we celebrated the life of Jennifer Codi Gray at her Life Celebration. Jennifer enjoyed drinking flavored coffee and funny jokes. Jennifer liked watching horror movies, westerns, MASH*, and classic cartoons. She could be found reading good mystery book or making jewelry. Her trip from Boston to Montana held a special place in her heart. Jennifer shared her love of nature with her daughter, Lilly. She found joy in her flower gardens and canning tomatoes, pickles, jams, and jellies. Animals held a special place in her heart. Jennifer will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
10/16/2025
Car Enthusiast, Model Trains, Sports and His Family!
Yesterday, we honored John Buckman at his Life Celebration. John graduated from McCooey High School, where he excelled academically and athletically, earning multiple football letters and a college scholarship. After college, he began his career with Northeast Power Co-op before moving and joining J.C. Penney as a department manager and later, a successful career as an insurance agent with Prudential and independently. John loved his community. He served on the Palmyra City Council, active in the Kiwanis Club, and was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. A lifelong car enthusiast, he and his wife Jean shared many adventures through their membership in car clubs. He also had a passion for model trains. He took great pride in his five sons, cherished family time at their river camp, loved tending his yard and always cheering on his beloved Palmyra Panthers, Missouri Tigers, Notre Dame Football and St. Louis Cardinals.
10/10/2025
Cody Ryan Thomas, 34, of St. Louis, MO, passed away at 8:10 PM, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at his home.
Private Graveside Services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
C...
10/09/2025
Jennifer Codi Gray, 37, of Palmyra, MO, passed away at 2:50 AM, Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to Jennifer’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Following the services, friends and family are invited to gather at 110 Industrial Dr. in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
10/08/2025
John Buckman, 81, of Palmyra, MO, passed away at 10:50 PM, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palmyra, MO. Fr. Gerald Kaimann will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Jospeh Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to John’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, October 14, 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.
10/08/2025
Army Veteran, Musical Soul and Kind Hearted
Yesterday afternoon we honored Terry Elvin Chipman at his Life Celebration. Terry proudly served his country in the Army, carrying that same dedication and pride into every aspect of his life. He had a deep love for music, often filling the room with his beautiful singing voice and piano playing. At home, he found peace tending to his garden. He also enjoyed fishing and traveling. Baking was another of his joys, especially when he could share his homemade dinner rolls with family and friends. His gentle spirit and many talents brought warmth and happiness to everyone who knew him.
10/04/2025
Terry Elvin Chipman, of Palmyra, Missouri, passed away surrounded by his family on October 3, 2025, at the age of 84.
Services will be held at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, Missouri, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. and a graveside service with full Military Honors performed by Boots-Dickson Post #174 of the American Legion will follow at Durham Cemetery in Durham, MO.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lewistown Seventh-day Adventist Church or the Palmyra Food Pantry.
10/01/2025
Wanda Madden, 94, of Palmyra, MO, passed away at 8:54 PM, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra, MO.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, October 6, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palmyra, MO. Fr. Gerald Kaimann will officiate. Burial will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Monroe City MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
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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.”
