Our History

Our History

Our Beginnings

It began in 1886 with the Mullen brothers, John W. and Patrick H. Now it is the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, located at 305 N. Lowell St., Ironwood, Michigan.

In 1886, the Mullen brothers began the firm.

On November 1, 1917, John B. Patrick, father of John D. Patrick, and Thomas L. McKevitt, father of Joseph J. McKevitt, purchased the interest of Mullen Furniture and Undertaking. The funeral home was then relocated at the rear of the McKevitt-Kershner-Patrick Furniture Company on Suffolk Street. Succeeding their fathers, John D. Patrick and Joseph J. McKevitt continued running the business together for many years. John D. Patrick died on August 12, 1988. Joe McKevitt's interest in the business was purchased in 1992 by Mike Patrick and his mom, Katie. Katie Patrick died on October 19, 2008, and Joe McKevitt died on March 28, 2013.

Walter P. Kershner joined the organization on March 1, 1928 and continued in that capacity until his death on July 30, 1973.
Prior to 1928, most funeral services were conducted in the homes of the deceased. As this custom changed and a complete funeral home was built, the firm opened the downtown building on Suffolk Street on February 24, 1929, which had served since that time until 1968, when the present funeral home opened its doors.

In 1975, three generations of service began when Michael F. Patrick joined the firm. He graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science in May 1972.

In July 1979, McKevitt-Kershner-Patrick Company, Inc. purchased the Engstrom Funeral Home, located at 210 Maple St, Hurley, Wisconsin. In that same year the McKevitt-Kershner-Patrick Furniture Company was sold. A fire in January 1983 destroyed the building. 

The corporation closed the Engstrom Funeral Home branch in January, 2009, but continues to serve Hurley families through the Ironwood Chapel.

Richard D. Huber joined the firm September 20, 1973 and managed Engstrom Funeral Home until his death on April 6, 1997. On September 6, 2002, McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc. purchased the Nyberg-Miller-Paulsen Mortuary in Ironwood; and Al Paulsen joined the staff in a semi-retired capacity. . Deborah Semo, the firm’s bookkeeper and office manager, has been on staff since March 1972.

We have been serving the Gogebic Range area for over 120 years. Our motto sums it all up, “We wish to serve as personal friends, not as professional strangers”.

What Makes Us Unique

We are proud to embrace traditional values, diversity and innovation in honoring the spirit and life of each person we serve. We offer a full selection of:
  1. Funeral and memorial services, ranging from traditional to uniquely innovative and personal
  2. Burial services and cremation options
  3. Celebrant Services
Letting go of a loved one is usually a very difficult process. In order to provide your family peace-of-mind, our funeral home offers complete care, so you can focus on comforting each other as you prepare to say goodbye to someone dear to you.
Although there are many decisions you may have to make, we assure you that we will guide you through the entire process every step of the way. We promise to help you:
  • Design the most fitting memorial or funeral service to honor their memory and pay tribute to their life achievements and experiences.
  • Select the most appropriate products, including a casket, burial vault, cremation urn, cemetery or mausoleum, to fit your budget and suit your needs and desires.
  • Write a fitting obituary to honor your loved one’s life experiences and social connections.
  • Assist in the publication of the obituary in the newspapers of your choice.
  • Create a Book of Memories™, a beautiful, permanent online memorial, where you and your friends can build a legacy of memories by archiving treasured photos and memories.
  • Welcome your family and friends to our funeral home for your planned services, including a viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service.
  • Make all arrangements with regard to the services whether they are held at your place of worship, our funeral home, cemetery, or alternate gathering place.
  • Provide you with beautiful funeral print materials, including memorial folders, prayer cards and book marks. We also offer personalized note cards for you to acknowledge the emotional support you received from friends, co-workers and community members.
  • Provide an elegant hearse and funeral cars, as well as arrange for escorts.
  • Help in the selection and on-site arrangement of floral tributes.
  • Provide access to grief education and support materials, and referrals to counseling services.
  • Prepare all paperwork, including vital record statistics, permits, filing and obtaining death certificates, and assistance with life insurance, veteran’s benefits and Social Security claims.
We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honor your loved one and family with dignity, respect and personal attention to every detail.
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