Belvidere, IL 61008 
History
In the mid-1890's Mr. Marskie starts a funeral service business in Belvidere that begins the roots of Buck-Wheeler-Hyland. Between 1895 & 1896, Luther C. Willard purchases the business, which operates as a furniture store and undertaking business at 410 South State Street. Around 1902-1903 Otto Schmidt joins the firm at this location and the firm is known as Willard & Schmidt. John Peart buys the business in 1912. In 1914, Mr. Merkley takes over the firm for a short time from Mr. Peart. Later in the year Luther Willard and his son in-law, Fred Boettcher, re-purchase the business. Alden Dimond and Leon Byram take over from Willard and Boettcher around 1916-1917 and continue the funeral and furniture business. In the early 1920's Mr. Dimond dies and Floyd Atkins, an employee of this firm, joins Byram. Byram and Atkins conduct business at 410 South State Street until the late 1920's, when they move to 217-219 South State Street, a location that was part of our Boone County Historical Museum. Mr. Byran retires in 1937 and Mr. Atkins joins his business with Foster Johnson, and opens the Atkins-Johnson Funeral Home at our present location on Hurlbut Avenue. It is at this point that they separate from the furniture business and become full-time funeral directors and embalmers.
Atkins-Johnson Funeral Home, approximately 1960
Mr. Atkins and Mr. Johnson retire in 1961 and the ownership is transferred to Everett Buck and Olney Wheeler. The firm continues as Buck-Wheeler Funeral Home. In 1963 renovations are made to the funeral home, include redecorating, refurbishing as well as adding a one-story chapel with a family room, a two-level foyer and a display room. In addition to the partnership of Everett Buck and Olney Wheeler, Floyd Atkins and Foster Johnson have continued as associate funeral directors; Herman and Wesley Hyland complete the experienced staff.
Buck-Wheeler Funeral Home Renovations, 1963
In 1972 Mr. Buck retires and Wesley Hyland, a long-term employee, and Ross Wheeler, Olney's son, come into ownership. Olney retires a few years later and the business continues as Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home. A major expansion, renovation and redecoration project in 1993 includes expansion of the chapel and reconfiguration of the rooms to facilitate two visitations at the same time. Another family room added in the front of the building and the building handicap accessibility improved, as well as expanding the casket display area in the lower level.
Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home Expansion, 1993
In 1994, Stephen G. Anderson becomes associated with the funeral home and in 1997 joins the firm as a full-time funeral director. Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Hyland retire in 2000 and Stephen Anderson buys their interest in the business. The casket display area is renovated into a new selection room in 2004. Meditation Garden is created on the grounds of the funeral home in 2005.
The firm consists of funeral directors Stephen Anderson, his brother, Jeff; as well as support staff to provide A Sanctuary for the Celebration of Life.