Who We Are : Our Story
Early History of the Fairview Funeral Home Inc.
The Fairview Funeral Home was founded in 1918 by Robert and Mary Speece, who owned it until 1957. When founded it was called the Speece Funeral Home. Mary Speece lived to be 103 and remained in Fairview, Oklahoma until her death in late 1998. The Funeral Home originally operated out of many different locations throughout town. In 1936, Robert and Mary bought a private home owned by an optometrist located at 221 North Main. After this purchase, they converted it into a funeral home, which is still the location of the Fairview Funeral Home.
In 1957, they sold the business to Charles Ingram and he renamed it the Ingram Funeral Home. In 1968, Charles Ingram sold it to Joe Weatherford. Again, the funeral home underwent a name change to Weatherford Funeral Home. Joe Weatherford owned the funeral home till June 15, 1971, when he sold to Charles “Chuck” and Betty Obermiller. After purchasing the funeral home, they again changed the name to the Fairview Funeral Home, feeling that this name would add stability to the business and make it a part of the town, which was their wish.
Fairview Funeral Home History
In 1963, Chuck went to Mortuary School in Dallas, Texas. He graduated in 1964 and moved to Oklahoma City, where he worked at the Hahn-Cook Funeral Home. In 1965, Chuck and Betty were again on the move to Hominy, Oklahoma. Here Chuck worked for the Powell Funeral Home and fine tuned his funeral director skills. While Chuck was getting his career together, Betty was teaching High School Home Economics and English.
They stayed in Hominy until 1971 when they bought the Weatherford Funeral Home in Fairview and quickly renamed it the Fairview Funeral Home. They went to work developing a sound and solid reputation of always providing the best service possible. They wanted the Fairview Funeral Home to be a part of the town, and they became very active in town to make their dreams a reality. Chuck ran the local ambulance service until it became the Major County EMS in 1978. He also served on the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department until his retirement in 1991.
He also served many years as a storm chaser, was active in local civic organizations, and in the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association. After purchasing the Fairview Funeral Home, Betty spent the next few years helping Chuck get the business established. In 1975 Betty went to Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. In 1977 she graduated with a Baccalaureate Degree in Funeral Service. She too was active in local civic organizations and was a 4H leader for several years. For the past 29 Years Chuck and Betty successfully owned and operated the Fairview Funeral Home and at the same time raised two daughters, Charla and Chanin. They always hoped that some day one of their children would follow in their foot steps.
Present Day
Chuck and Betty's wish came true, and in 2000 Chanin and Vernon Hoehn purchased the Fairview Funeral Home. Now with the second generation at the helm, they continue to provide the same quality service and the best possible price that has been the reputation of the Fairview Funeral Home for more than 38 years.
Chanin Hoehn graduated from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. She received an Associate's Degree in Applied Science, majoring in Funeral Service. She graduated with honors as well as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honors society for Junior Colleges. She was noted in the Who’s Who among students in American Junior Colleges for 1996 and 1997. Her greatest accomplishment was being selected by her peers to receive the Outstanding Student Award which was presented by the Missouri Funeral Directors Association. She has also been an active member in the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association and was District III chairman for two terms. In 1999, Chanin took on the biggest challenge of her life and became a mother. This was a dream that she had had for many years.
Now 7, Chancy fills all of her spare time and gives her the joy she waited so many years for. Even with the challenges motherhood brings, she still finds time to work full-time at the funeral home, providing professional-quality services second to none. She also finds time to stay active in the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, serving 2 years as district chairperson and now district governor.
Vernon Hoehn is retired from the United States Air Force, serving more than 20 years, and is a veteran of Desert Storm. After retiring, he returned to Oklahoma with Chanin and finished his education at the University of Central Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Service. Vernon was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, graduated with honors, and served as an officer of Sigma Phi Sigma fraternity. After graduation, Vernon became active in the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association. He has served as District III chairman for two terms, District III governor for one term, was elected to the position of Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-President, President-elect, and in 2008 became President of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association. Vernon is currently the Immediate Past President. Not only has he been active in the funeral industry but also at home. He serves as a board member for Major County Economic Development, was the President of the Fairview Chamber of Commerce for three years, and was recently elected to the City Council for his second four-year term.