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History

History

Gravenor Home for Funerals, Inc. has been serving Ephrata area families for years. We are honored to be a part of the rich history of this community and plan to be a part of it for many years to come.

Threshold of the business’s original location, dated 1871 – operated by Mr. Moyer D. Hoover at West Main Street at West Fulton Street in Ephrata, PA.

Mr. Levi Y. Eitnier 1875 – 1955, former owner and licensed funeral director, purchased the funeral business from Moyer Hoover in 1903. Founded Eitnier Furniture Sales in 1897 and combined the undertaking/funeral business and furniture store at the corner of West Main Street and Church Street in Ephrata, PA in 1912.

Mr. Harry H. Hoffman 1889 – 1956, former owner and licensed funeral director, joined Mr. Eitnier as a business partner in 1918. Mr. Eitnier and Mr. Hoffman were co-owners and operators of Eitnier and Hoffman Home For Funerals in Ephrata until 1955.

Paul L. Gravenor 1918 – 2008, founder of the Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals, Inc. He was the owner and operator from 1955 – 2008 and a licensed funeral director for 63 years.

Paul L. Gravenor was employed by Eitnier and Hoffman as a funeral director beginning in 1953. Following the death of Mr. Eitnier in August of 1955, Mr. Gravenor purchased the funeral home and it became the Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals.

Image of Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals, 100 West Main Street at Church Street in Ephrata, PA as it appeared in the late 1950’s.

Mr. Gravenor was fortunate enough to purchase the neighboring Steiner-Neis property at 104-106 West Main St. and in 1974-75, renovate and enlarge the funeral home’s location by combining both properties.

John A. Leonhard was Licensed Supervisor and Owner from 2009 until 2021. He joined Mr. Gravenor, his father-in-law, at the funeral home in 1974 and has been a licensed funeral director since 1980.

Paul and John worked side-by-side for over 30 years, serving the families of the Ephrata area.

Paul Andrew “Andy” Leonhard, joined the firm in 2001 and is the current Licensed Supervisor and Owner. He is Paul Gravenor’s grandson, John and Karen Gravenor Leonhard’s son, and the third generation of funeral service professionals in the Gravenor family at Paul L. Gravenor Home For Funerals, Inc.

Gravenor Home for Funerals, Inc.
Phone: (717) 733-6181
100 W. Main at Church St., Ephrata, PA 17522

© Gravenor Home for Funerals, Inc.
Crafted with care by Frazer Consultants & TA

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