County approves 2nd Marion funeral home
Staff writer
A new funeral home operated by a former Marion funeral director is planned for northwest of the intersection of Cedar and Kellison Sts. just outside Marion’s city limits.
Ty Zeiner’s application for a conditional use permit was approved Monday by county commissioners.
Zeiner has arranged water, sewer, and electric service through the City of Marion.
He plans a 120-by-80 feet building with three great rooms, a garage, a dining room, a preparation room, two offices, and a porch.
Brad Yazel, who purchased from a funeral home in Marion from Zeiner, said he had heard Zeiner was planning something but questioned the financial soundness of the decision.
“With 1,800 people and about 50 funerals, there doesn’t seem to be much of a need,” he said.
If the population were underserved, he’d see it differently.
There already are three funeral homes in the county, he said. Those are Jost, Yazel, and Miller-Ott, which services Marion County families. Yazel estimated that Zeiner might get between 25 and 30 funerals a year.
“I’ve been scratching my head about that,” Yazel said.
Noting that free enterprise and competition are the American way, Yazel said his own business took care of people the best it could.
He doubted the wisdom of Zeiner’s investment for a split of business in Marion.
“If circumstances were opposite, I wouldn’t do it,” Yazel said. “I feel it will be somewhat destructive to the community.”
If it doesn’t make sense for his own business to remain in Marion, the town will lose another business, Yazel said.
Zeiner declined to comment for this story, preferring to speak later.