Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 19 March 1998 — Page 29

The Mancie Hmes, Mardi 19,1998, Page 29

Gholar Funeral Services to open new location in Marion

By Judy Mays Building a new funeral service in Marion from the ground up is part of the expansion plan of Gholar and Gholar Funeral Services in 1998. “We have been doing funeral services in Marion over the past couple of years. This year we will open our second funeral home there,” said Robert Gholar, president of the family owned business. “There are no minority owned funeral services in Marion.” “We’ve gotten a good report from the funerals we’ve done there. We began making plans to build about a year and a half ago and broke ground on Dec. 21.” The funeral home will be at 6th and McClure streets. It is scheduled to open around April 1. “We’re very excited about providing this service to the Marion community, but Muncie is our headquar-

ters,” said Gholar. “When we think in terms of our expansion we don’t want to forget the human element. We’ve been blessed with a wonderful staff. Some will be alternating between Muncie and Marion, but we will also be hiring residents of Marion.” “In addition,” said Gholar we are looking for limousine drivers here in Muncie. A Chauffeur license is required, and anyone that is interested can give us a call at 282-2651. “In the near future we are going to dedicate the chapel of the Muncie funeral home in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Gill, the former owners,” said Gholar. The chapel is to be named The Maynard and Leah Gill Memorial Chapel. “Mrs. Gill is more than a role model to me,” added Gholar, “I remember how she helped our family during the death of my grandfather. She had a giving spirit and we try to

pattern ourselves after that.” “Another thing we are going to establish this year is two annual scholarships. One will be geared for black males and the other will be a general scholarship. We have a business that not only wishes to provide a service at a professional level of commitment but at a personal level,” added Gholar. “I remember others in this community who have been instrumental to my business and educational pursuits, people like Rev. W. J. Jackson Sr. and especially my parents and others. I’m very intentional in using other minority businesses. L and J Construction Company is building the Marion facility. It’s owned by Louis and Jackie Long. We also utilize T and T Ross Services, we have a full time maintenance man, we run our ad in The Muncie Times and in the near future we will be presenting famihes with an inspirational bereavement basket. It is our

way of continuing a tangible means of ministry to the families we service. “As minority businesses we have to support and patronize each other. Even when in competition we (as minority business owners) need to have a healthy relationship even to the point of being willing to help each other out if needed,” he said. The Marion building will cost around $55,000. The 40 foot by 42 foot building will include an office, chapel and prepara-

tion room. Robert Gholar graduated from the Mid- America College of Mortuary Science in 1994. At age 31, Gholar said he is probably the youngest mortuary business owner/funeral director in Indiana to own two funeral services. He received his license in October of 1996 and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, as well as president of the business. His father, Willie Gholar Jr. is CEO.

Robert Gholar

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