Our History
The Fruland Funeral Home is a locally privately owned funeral home within the downtown Morris, Illinois area. It is currently owned by life long Morris native Richard H. Hexdall, Funeral Director. Richard H. Hexdall and staff are committed to the Funeral Service and serves families of all Faiths and Nationalities.
The History: This lot, 5, and lot 6 was sold to Ebenezer Hyde in 1859 for $1000. Hyde sold this lot to Aaron Sears in 1873 for $600. Benjamin Sears, heir of Aaron Sears, sold the lot to Dr. Gerhard T. Nelson in June of 1899 for $1500. He built and moved into this 2 1/2 story frame residence in November of 1899 for his home and office.Dr. Nelson sold the house to S. S. Marvick in 1909 for $6800. Dr. Nelson moved out west for health purposes.William F. Page, Jeweler, married Edith Marvick in 1911 and moved into the house.Bergeson & Phelan were established in 1912. Bergeson was replaced by Tyler A. Hoganson in 1913 at113 W. Washington Street with a furniture store and funeral home. In 1916, Phelan & Hoganson were equal partners at the 113 W. Washington Street address then known as the McCann building. In 1919, Hoganson bought out Phelan and moved to a storefront of the Grundy County National Bank until he was soon forced to move as the bank expanded. Hoganson purchased the, then, residence, from W. F. Page at 121 WestJefferson Street and converted it to a funeral home and residence on the second floor. Hoganson added on a 2 story garage for the funeral home vehicles and living quarters above the garage. Tyler Hoganson died in an automobile accident in 1948.Earle Fruland, a nephew, had been associated with the business since about 1935, took over the funeral home upon the death of Tyler Hoganson.Earle's son, H. Paul, joined the business in 1955 and took over upon his father's death in 1973.Richard H. Hexdall having been associated in the business, became owner in 2000. The residence still remains on the second floor of the house. The area located above the garage is now the casket showroom. In 2000 an outside ramp was added to allow handicap accessibility. Many other interior updates have been done including a handicap accessible bathroom added in 2007.-
Richard H Hexdall, Owner/Funeral Director
Education - Graduate of Joliet Junior College, Illinois State University and Worsham College of Mortuary ScienceOrganizations - Member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Illinois Funeral Directors Association and Morris Chamber of Commerce.
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Savannah L Strange, Funeral Director Apprentice.
Education- Graduate of Morris Community High School, attended Joliet Junior College and graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. I started serving my apprentice with the Fruland Funeral Home on October 1, 2017.Organizations- Member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Illinois Funeral Directors Association.
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Mary Pearson, Funeral Director's Assistant
Education- Graduate of Bible Baptist Academy, studied at Joliet Junior College, currently studying at Worsham College of Mortuary SciencesOrganizations- previous manager of Floral Designs and Gifts Morris; active member of Christ First Baptist Church Minooka
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J. Leroy Claypool, Funeral Director's Assistant
Education - Graduate of Morris High SchoolLifelong Resident of MorrisOrganizations - Former Volunteer Fireman with the Morris Fire Department, Active in his church, The First United Methodist Church and many community affairs.
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Paul W Jung, Funeral Director's Assistant
Education - Graduate of Illinois State University, B.M.Ed., M.M.Ed., C.A.S. in Educational AdministrationOrganizations - Retired Choral Music Director at Morris Community High School, Active Member of Immaculate Conception Church, Morris, IL and Past President of the Rotary Club of Morris.
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John Thompson
Education - graduate of Morris High School and Joliet Junior CollegeOrganizations- active member at Bethlehem Lutheran Church- currently serving on the deacon board
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Cooper ., Grief Dog
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Prada ., Grief dog in training
