Mealey Funeral Homes | Our History

Mealey Funeral Homes

The professional staff under the pictures of Chick and Lori's ancestors. Their father, Charles F., Sr. is pictured in the center, with great grandfather and founder, Michael A. ealey on the left and grandfather John on the right.

At the turn of the century, the nation was being ravaged by a viral illness, felling thousands. Michael Mealey was a furniture upholsterer as a young adult. Among his duties, he furnished casket linings for the cabinet makers who were overwhelmed with the tragic results of the virus. Many Irish were impoverished and socially scorned, with little ability to provide dignified burial for their departed. From a desire to help ease their grief, Michael opened a funeral home in 1912 at the corner of 3rd and Jackson Streets. His compassion and service to his clients is the foundation upon which Mealey Funeral Homes were established and continue to grow today.

Michael was a fiddler, known and liked in many social circles. His honest approach to business quickly earned him a reputation for integrity and fairness among families of all income levels.

Michael married a local lass, Susan E. Mulhern, and fathered five children. In 1935, Michael sold the Jackson Street building and purchased a home on he corner of 7th and Broom Streets. He converted the lower floors to funeral facilities, and used the other two floors for his home.

In acquiring the new facility, Michael incorporated the business, naming the company Michael A. Mealey & Sons, Inc. His sons, Jack and Daniel were then active in the company and community. Jack married an Elkton, Maryland woman, Ann Romanek, and had seven children, Jack Jr., Michael II, Charles, Joseph, Susan, Patricia and Robert. The boys helped around the funeral home from the time they were youths. They graduated from Salesianum High School and mortuary college, and received their funeral licenses. Daniel married Mary Donohue and had two children, Daniel Jr. and Susan. Like his cousins, Dan Jr.'s education was geared towards the funeral industry. However, he declined to join his family's business. In 1958, Daniel Sr. died, leaving the company to his brother and nephews.

The company prospered under the leadership of Jack and his four oldest sons. In 1957, Jack, Jr. was offered a career in the Army and left the family business. By the mid-1960's, Jack Sr.'s health was beginning to deteriorate. He retired, leaving his second son, Michael as the president of the company, and Charles and Joseph as officers. Jack Sr. died from heart disease in 1970.

In the 1970's, the Wilmington suburbs expanded dramatically. Pike Creek Valley, once mostly farmland, burst with new developments and townhouses. Michael and his brothers saw in this area an excellent opportunity to serve their clients who relocated from the city. Construction for a new funeral home began on the corner of Limestone and Milltown Roads. In December 1972, the first funeral was held. The Mealey family was welcomed into the community. Joseph and youngest son, Robert, left the family business to pursue other interests. Michael lived in North Wilmington with wife, Eleanor Kelley and had five children, Michele, Maureen, Michael III, Mark and Kelley. Charles married Mildred Bradley and fathered four children, Charles Jr., Lori, Kathleen and Jane. Charles moved his family from the city to the Milltown area in 1973 to join the community surrounding his new building. In the family tradition, Charles Jr. graduated from Salesianum High School and the University of Delaware, and worked summers and weekends when needed at the funeral homes. After earning a degree in business, he attended mortuary school in Pittsburgh, and graduated cum laude.

During this same time, Michael II was diagnosed with cancer. Though he underwent several years of treatments and procedures, he worked when he could. He was an encouragement to many of the families he served during this time. His battle with his illness only deepened his commitment and compassion to the people he served. On August 23, 1982, Michael succumbed to his disease at age 47, leaving his family members grieving and his family legacy with his younger brother.

When his father died, Michael III was prompted to reevaluate his future. He enrolled in college to earn the necessary credits for funeral licensing. Then, he entered mortuary school in Catonsville, Maryland. He worked mornings at the funeral home, and commuted to classes in the afternoons. On September 24, 1987, en route home, Michael III was tragically killed in an auto accident. The entire Mealey family was devastated by his loss.

In the ensuing years, the business continued to grow as Charles Jr. assumed a larger role, and hired his sister, Lori, to run the business office. Charles Sr., in his forty years as a funeral director, planned funerals, comforted the grieving, buried his father, mother and brother, and guided the business through financial difficulties. He had confidence in his son and daughter, and consequently, gave consideration to his own future. In 1996, Charles Sr. sold the business to his son, though he continued to work until his retirement in 1998. He now resides primarily in Florida, though he stays in close contact with his children, offering advice from his years of experience.

Now at the helm, Charles Jr.'s primary goal is to serve his clients in every way possible. He also keeps an eye to the future. The Bear area is now a thriving community, and plans are drawn for a new Mealey Funeral Home. The new facility will include many community-oriented features such as a walking trail and meeting rooms.

Charles Jr. sees the future of the company in the eyes of his children, Rachel, Amelia and Patrick. Many family-owned funeral homes are being purchased by large corporations. Yet, the Mealey family is committed to serving the families in need personally, professionally, and with the compassion that led Michael A. Mealey to the funeral profession at the turn of the 20th century.