Montgomery Funeral Home was founded in 1946 by Clyde Montgomery, upon his return to Buffalo after serving in the second world war.Clyde and his wife Thelma bought the two story brick Victorian home on the corner of Maple and Benton Streets. That home, which still serves as the heart of the Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home, Is one of the oldest in Buffalo, dating to the late 1800s.In that stately old brick home, Clyde Montgomery and Pete Vaughan opened Montgomery-Vaughan Funeral Home, which they operated jointly until 1953, when Clyde and Thelma bought the Vaughan's interest.In 1958 the business grew more as their son-in-law Vernon Viets, joined them. Ten years later, Vernon and his wife Jo Ann, bought an interest in the business. They became full owners in 1971, though Clyde continued to work in the funeral home until his death in 1983.Other family members have also become part of the business, Vernon and Jo Ann's sons Monty and Bret joined the family business in 1978 and 1979, and Marlin followed in 1993.The old Victorian home which the business started in has seen two major additions and several renovations. In 1965 a chapel was built on the north side of the house. In 1981 an even larger chapel was built on the south.
Along with the Funeral Home they also own and operate Maple Lawn Cemetery on Highway 65 North of Buffalo.
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Jerry & Marlene Cantlon Former Owner/Ambassador
Jerry and Marlene Cantlon owned the business for many years and purchased Vaughan Funeral Home in Urbana during their tenure.
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Eric and Kay Otterness Former Owner/Ambassador
Eric Otterness joined his father- in- law in the business in 1985 and continued the tradition with his wife Kay for another 19 plus years after purchasing the business in 1998.
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Marlin Viets Former Owner/Ambassador
Marlin is a life long resident of Buffalo, and grew up in the funeral home. He graduated from Buffalo High School and is a graduate of Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He is a member of The Buffalo First Christian Church.
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Jarod Campbell Manager/Funeral Director
Jarod grew up in Dallas County, Missouri and graduated from Buffalo High School. He married his high school sweetheart Brooke, and they have three amazing boys, Peyton, Braden, and Gavin. Jarod graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in Wildlife Management. He and his family are members of Calvary Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Buffalo. He has been with Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home since April of 2009 and is a licensed Funeral Director.
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Taylor D. Howe Funeral Director
Taylor Howe was born and raised in Lebanon, Missouri. He graduated from Lebanon High School and continued his education, graduating from Southwest Baptist University. Taylor then attended Dallas Institute of Funeral Service where he graduated in the Spring of 2016. Taylor met the love of his life at Southwest Baptist, and they were married in June of 2016. Together they share two children, Ainsley and Duke.
