Our History
GOING BACK IN TIME
Our History
A Legacy of Service in Springfield & New Carlisle, OH
SPRINGFIELD – Richards, Raff & Dunbar Memorial Home
The historic mansion at 838 E. High Street was completed in 1888 as the personal residence of American industrialist and Ohio Governor Asa S. Bushnell. Designed by architect R.H. Robertson, the 30-room estate is a masterpiece of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, featuring hand-carved hardwoods, Tiffany stained glass, Italian marble fireplaces, and a third-floor ballroom. The home remains one of Springfield’s most significant and well-preserved historic landmarks.
In the mid-1930s, the mansion was purchased by Austin Richards, who transformed the residence into the Austin Richards Memorial Home following years of careful preparation. After Mr. Richards’ passing in 1978, longtime associate S. Frederick Raff continued the funeral home’s legacy. In 1984, the Springfield and New Carlisle firms merged under the leadership of Raff and his close colleague, Ted Chapman. In 1989, funeral director Rick Dunbar became president of the company, continuing the tradition of exceptional service.
In the 1990s, Rick and Anne Dunbar completed a major restoration of the mansion—carefully preserving its original historic character and earning the Community Beautification Award for Preservation. Today, the Springfield location continues to honor both its architectural heritage and its long-standing commitment to families.
Free tours of the home, which includes brief discussions on history, architecture, and meaningful funeral ceremonies, are by appointment only and may be arranged by calling (937) 325-1564.
NEW CARLISLE – Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley Funeral Home
The New Carlisle location has roots dating back to around 1860, making it the oldest funeral business in Clark County. Founded by undertaker Mr. Helvey, who cared for both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, the funeral home established a legacy of compassion and dignity that continues today.
Over the decades, ownership passed through several respected families—including the Funderburghs, the Doom brothers, and the Trostels. In 1928, the firm relocated to the magnificent former Perrine residence, a grand mahogany- and walnut-lined home originally built as one of the area’s most elegant private residences.
In 1966, longtime community friends Bill Trostel and Ted Chapman merged their funeral homes, forming Trostel-Chapman Funeral Home at its present location on W. Jefferson Street. Later mergers with the Springfield firm brought the Dunbar name into both operations, forming the two sister funeral homes known today.
Extensive renovations in the mid-2000s expanded the New Carlisle location to better serve modern families while preserving the building’s historical character.
Together, the Springfield and New Carlisle funeral homes share more than 150 years of combined service, built on compassion, respect, and deep community roots.
