Our History

Since 1873, Howe-Peterson has proudly stood as Dearborn’s pioneer funeral home, and the oldest continuously running business in the city. It all started when Elba Howe arrived in Dearborn in 1864 as the Station Master for the Michigan Central Railroad, where he began to also assist local farmers in conducting funerals and stocking a few coffins in the general store. Following the birth of his son Louis in 1873, the Howe and Son Funeral Home was established near the corner of Michigan and Howe Street.

In 1928, Louis Howe and Edwin Peterson entered into a partnership, and the name Howe-Peterson Funeral Home appeared on the Michigan Avenue site, directly across from where the Dearborn Chapel now stands. Edwin Peterson married Kathleen Finch in 1933 and welcomed two sons: Edwin “Pete” Peterson, who went on to the medical profession, and Joseph F. Peterson, who would ultimately continue to own and operate Howe-Peterson Funeral Home. 

The Dearborn Chapel was moved to its present location in 1943 and continued to grow with expansions in 1958 and 1967. Prior to Edwin’s death in 1962, a new facility was built in what was then known as Taylor Township, dedicated to serving the growing downriver communities. The Peterson family continued to serve Dearborn, Taylor and the downriver communities expanding the Taylor Chapel in 1970. In 1988, Howe-Peterson opened its new Administrative Center, located directly west of the Dearborn Chapel. In 1989, the new Howe-Peterson Taylor Chapel was opened in its current location.

Following the death of Joseph in 1991, Joe’s wife Dorothy (Dottie), along with their son Erik and daughter Kerrie, continued the family tradition of providing unparalleled service to the families of Dearborn, Taylor and the entire downriver area.

In 1988, Timothy J. Schramm began his career at Howe-Peterson serving as a Funeral Service Associate, Resident Trainee and in 1990 as a licensed Funeral Director. Tim became the Location Manager at the Taylor Chapel in 1994 and the Vice President and Director of Operations in 2005. Timothy J. Kirby also began his career at Howe-Peterson in 2005 as the Financial Manager. In January of 2017, Tim and Tim completed an ownership transition, remaining committed to carrying on the “Howe-Peterson Way” and the traditions of the Howe & Peterson families.

Meanwhile, in 1932, Edwin Peterson's brother, Elmer Peterson, established his funeral home, Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac, Michigan. In 1949, Joseph L. Peters built J.L. Peters Funeral Home in Lincoln Park, Michigan. In 1950, Bob and his brother Peter took over the reins of Peterson Funeral Home from Elmer Peterson, ensuring the continuation of its legacy. In 1970, Bob Walsh's brother Peter Walsh, purchased the funeral home from Mr. Peters. In 1988, it was further solidified by its acquisition by the Meyering family, who continue to uphold its values.

The Walsh family's commitment to J.L. Peters Funeral Home was unwavering, with the funeral home remaining under their ownership until the passing of Daniel P. Walsh, fourth-generation funeral director, in 2021. This marked a significant transition as Howe-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services owners, Timothy Schramm & Timothy Kirby, acquired the funeral home in 2023.

Today, like the generations before, Howe-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services remains steadfast in our commitment to the community and continues our dedication to providing the highest quality of care for the deceased, with compassion and professional direction for the families we serve. The entire Howe-Peterson Team believes in the value of creating meaningful and memorable experiences for the families, celebrating a unique life that has been lived. The Howe-Peterson legacy continues its tradition of outstanding service, striving to provide the most complete and personalized end of life care possible.