Raymond James Lavenberg
November 15th, 2024
The Nice Funeral Home has a long history of serving the Frackville Community. In 1876, Walter Nice, a pioneer citizen and carpenter by trade started the business. In those days most funeral directors were carpenters, cabinet makers, or furniture makers, as they held the responsibility of making caskets. They also used a horse and carriage as a hearse.
After Walters death in 1888, his widow Sarah conducted the business with Woodward A. Nice who received his funeral Director License in 1897. He owned and operated, along with coal interests until his death in 1929.
At that time Woodward’s widow, Minnie and son Winn A. Nice took over the business. Minnie became one of the first women to obtain a funeral directors license in the state of Pennsylvania, graduating from Eckels College of Mortuary Science. At this time, Winn Nice also volunteered in the community running an ambulance service from the funeral home, as there was no public ambulance at the time.
Winn Nice passed away in 1953, at which time Minnie with the help of Joseph Yurikonis, helped keep the business running until Ronald Nice attended Eckels in 1960.
From 1960 until 2003 Ronald Nice, along with his wife JoAnn provided the families in the Frackville area with superior service and care. In 2002 Ronald welcomed his cousin and funeral director Bruce T. Hart into a partnership, keeping the family tradition of service and care.