Our History
Our History
The Frye Funeral Home, Inc. was founded in 1917 by Lewis Morrison Frye, Sr. and has since been family-owned and operated. It is the oldest existing funeral home in the Mon Valley. We are known throughout the area for our compassionate commitment to all the families we serve. Over the last century, we have helped thousands of families plan and carry out celebrations of the lives of their loved ones.
Mr. Frye was born in 1891 and raised in nearby Coal Center. He was the son of Clarence and Henrietta Morrison Frye. After high school, he knew he wanted to become part of the funeral business and continued his studies in Mortuary Arts and Sciences as an apprentice at the James J. Flannery Brothers Co Funeral Home in Pittsburgh.
In 1917, at the age of 26, he established the L.M. Frye Funeral Home in the two hundred block of West Main Street, located next to Pizzutelli’s Grocery Store. It was a small storefront for his office to make funeral arrangements as well as a place to house equipment and display merchandise.
The custom of funerals at the time was having the deceased viewed at the family home in the parlor. As customs started changing, in 1924 he and his wife, Gladys DeWalt Frye, purchased the large brick home of Dr. C.B. Wood located at 427 West Main Street. They developed the first floor into a funeral home with a funeral parlor, space to display merchandise, an office, and their residence on the second floor. The progression from the family home to the neutral setting of the funeral parlor allowed the family to receive guests and hold a formal service.
Soon after, in 1929, the country entered the Great Depression. Throughout this very difficult period in history, many families were served without any means to pay for it. Many lasting friendships and respect among members of the community were the result. Moving forward, as automobiles became the norm, a vehicle was purchased and set up as an ambulance. Most funeral homes at the time owned an ambulance and would respond to emergencies, such as vehicle accidents. They would load the patient and take them to the emergency room at the local hospital for treatment. In the 1970s, this ambulance was made available to a group from the surrounding communities who wished to start an ambulance service, which later became known as Tri-Community Ambulance. Tri-Community, also known as TCA, continues its lifesaving mission to this day with its headquarters located on Chess Street.
Mr. Frye’s son, Lewis M. Frye, Jr., completed two tours of duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. During WWII, he worked alongside his father until his father's death in 1963.
Several changes have been made over the years to the facility. In 1965, a major addition to the rear of the building provided a large parlor room to be used as a chapel for funeral services and allowed for a large display area for merchandise. The most extensive addition occurred during the Redevelopment Plan of Monongahela’s business district in the mid 1970's. A new entrance, two large parlors, a family lounge area, and a spacious parking area were added, along with the building being modernized in appearance. In 1974, the decision was made to incorporate the business.
Patrick Frye, the son of L.M. Frye Jr., became licensed in 1980 and worked alongside his father until his father's retirement in 1990, after which he and his wife, Dorothy Brownfield Frye, moved to Florida. Pamela F. DeRose served her internship at the funeral home in 1986 and worked alongside L.M. Frye, Jr. and Patrick Frye.
In 2007, Patrick, being the third-generation owner, made the decision to sell the business and move to Florida to be with and take care of his ailing father. At that time, Pamela purchased the funeral home and is the current owner and supervisor.
Through the past, in the present, and into the future, the Frye Funeral Home staff has and will continue to serve the people of the community with care, compassion, and a dedicated commitment to accommodate final wishes and requests.
Pamela’s daughter, Olivia, made the decision to continue the legacy and earned her funeral director license in 2023. She now works alongside her mother.
