About Us

From their humble start with a livery service in a building between 4th & 5th streets on Carolina Ave. to today's the modern, spacious chapel, they have continuously expanded and upgraded not only their facilities but their outstanding service as well.

G.A. Arner, the business's founder, started out in the late 1890's with partner Joseph Bower operating a livery service and conducting funeral services at homes, as was the tradition at that time. Mr. Bowers death in 1900 left G.A. to carry on by himself. In 1916, with the progression of "motor coaches", he realized that as society became more mobile, a larger building was needed to house the increasingly large viewings and purchased the present location at 607 Carolina Ave.

G.A. was only the 19th Funeral Director licensed in the state of West Virginia and his number is currently held by his great-grandson Douglas Arner.

G.A. Arner had three children, Noble, who died in an accident at two years of age, Alvin, Sr., and George. Alvin and George were active in the business with Alvin opening the Arner Home for Funerals in East Liverpool and George graduating from and then teaching at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Alvin, Sr. operated the East Liverpool home until 1979 when it was closed due to his failing health. George would later join the U.S. Army during WW II where he was killed in action in 1944.

The third generation, in Alvin L. "Pete" Arner Jr. began managing the Chester Chapel in 1963 and was largely responsible for many of the improvements made to the facilities. His innovations included the Arner Funeral Chapel being the first funeral home in the area to have a covered "carport" entrance, expanded parking facilities and the largest merchandise selection room. He was also an active community leader until his untimely death in 1989.

His sons, Alvin "Pete" III and Douglas assumed the leadership shortly after his death and are currently making plans for the fifth generation of Arners to serve the area's families.

As the areas oldest family owned and operated funeral home, the Arner Funeral Chapel celebrates 100 Years of Family Funeral Service by rededicating themselves to offering unsurpassed personal service at the lowest cost.