About Us

Stark Memorial has roots dating back to 1853, where Gotleib Stark began making caskets out of his home in North Georgetown.  His son Theodore was the first Licensed Embalmer.  In 1921 O.G. Stark moved the business to our current location at 1014 E. State St.  He operated the business until he  died in 1948 .Mrs. Stark continued in her husband's absence, and in 1950 brought in two partners Jack Harroff and James Griffin.  Russell C. Loudon began his funeral service career as an apprentice in 1947 at Stark Memorial.  He went on to mortuary school at Cincinnati College of Embalming.  He returned as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1950.   In 1956 Jack Harroff retired, followed by James Griffin in 1978.  Russell C. Loudon purchased both of their interests upon retirement.  After  60 years of dedicated service to families in Salem and surrounding communities Russell retired and Daniel P. Madden purchased Stark Memorial in January 2019. You are welcome to call us at any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance.  Or visit our NEWLY REMODELED funeral home in person at your convenience.  We also provide a wealth of information here on our web site so you can learn more from the privacy of your own home.