McLaughlin family's history runs deep in Sedalia

The McLaughlin family is remembered for their good business practices, great kindness and civic pride.

A chapter of history that has spanned nearly 130 years is about to come to a close. Mary McLaughlin announced earlier this week her family’s plans to sell the fourth-generation business, McLaughlin’s Funeral Chapel, to a couple who own a funeral home in Slater.

McLaughlin, 67, and her family had thought for the past several years about the future of the business. She often talks to others about the need to make plans, and felt it was time to take her own advice.

“I’ve appreciated the fact I’ve been raised with the idea — what’s best for the long-term instead of the immediate,” she said.

McLaughlin’s great-grandfather John C. “Charley” and his brother George C. McLaughlin came to Sedalia from St. Mary’s, Ohio, in the 1870s. The community sort of selected Charley as the undertaker by calling on him to help when there was a death.

Becky Imhauser, a local author and historian, catalogued much of the McLaughlin family history in Sedalia in a book titled, “All Along Ohio Street.”

In her book, Imhauser compiled details about how the McLaughlins have been a staple of downtown Sedalia since 1880, when George C. McLaughlin opened a furniture store with Warren Galbreath at 116 W. Second St. Three years later, George McLaughlin bought out Galbreath’s share, went into business with his brother, Charley, and changed the name of the business to McLaughlin Bros. Furniture, which remains under the ownership of the McLaughlin corporation.

The furniture store and funeral chapel were a natural pair, and a frequent occurrence during that time. Furniture stores had access to cabinet makers, who provided caskets. And, the work horses used to pull heavy furniture also were suitable for hauling the caskets.

Mary McLaughlin’s father, Philip, often described the business relationship of his grandfather and uncle. Charley “was happy if the people were happy” and George C. had a keen business sense and handled the books, she recalled.

Jack Bloess, whose grandfather opened Looney & Bloess Lumber Co. in 1879, said his parents were friends of the McLaughlins, as both contributed to the development of the business community in downtown Sedalia. Bloess said the McLaughlins’ commitment to the family business and their community left a significant impact on early Sedalia.

“They were part of early Sedalia. They are pillars of the society of Sedalia,” Bloess said. “Having a business like that, as we did with the lumber yard, we put a lot of people in Sedalia and created many jobs.”

He said the McLaughlin family was a vital force in the business community, responsible for millions of dollars coming to the area over the decades. Their contributions helped make Sedalia a city, Bloess said.

“It wouldn’t have been Sedalia. They are just part of it,” Bloess said.

The brothers employed a former slave and a Catholic during a time in Sedalia when the Klu Klux Klan was active. A story about Charley taking a stand against the Klan was passed down through the generations: A head Klansman came into the store and said all the members of the Klan would boycott the business if the two men were not fired.

“My great-grandfather said, ‘We’ll do without your business,’” Mary McLaughlin said. “... I’ve always been so proud of that story. You do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

George C. died in 1915 and Charley died in 1910, leaving behind a son, John C. McLaughlin II. John had two sons, John C. “Jack” McLaughlin III and Philip, Mary McLaughlin’s father.

John C. McLaughlin II died in 1924 at the age of 42. Instead of letting the business suffer, Jack and Philip assumed leadership of the business, picking up where their father left off. The brothers relied on longtime employees who knew the business well to help weather the transition, as well as the Great Depression and World War II, which soon followed.

Jack McLaughlin served in Europe during WW II, and continued developing his distinguished service until 1960.

He retired a major general, and Sedalia’s current and previous National Guard armories were named in his honor.

Over time, Philip and Jack became trusted voices in the community, according to Imhauser.

“They didn't hesitate to use their newspaper advertising space to express their support for an issue,” Imhauser wrote. “They also took a stand by heading committees and addressing public gatherings.”

Two rules were passed down in the funeral chapel throughout the years — Work for the family and never be in a hurry when on a funeral. Respect, kindness, compassion, gratitude, joy and civic pride were other characteristics instilled in the McLaughlin children.

“I grew up with all this history and had wonderful examples of not only my family, but the people who work here,” Mary McLaughlin said.

Sue Heckart, whose family opened Heckart Funeral Home in 1948, said Phillip McLaughlin welcomed the Heckarts to Sedalia and quickly formed a good relationship with his new competitors.

“We’ve had a very good relationship. It started with Philip (McLaughlin) and my father, Del (Heckart), and it has continued all these years,” Heckart said.

The two funeral chapels have frequently lent cars, equipment and resources to each other over the years, placing the people they serve as their top priorities. Heckart said although they managed competing businesses, both families shared a common outlook on serving families and their communities first.

“My father described them as friendly competitors working together for the good of Sedalia and the profession,” Heckart said.

Jack died in 1967. His daughter, Marjorie Heddrich still lives in Sedalia and is a board member of the McLaughlin corporation. Heddrich’s husband, P.J., ran the business for more than 30 years.

Philip, who died in 1993, had two daughters, Mary and Sandy MacLennan, of California state. Mary McLaughlin is now the president of the corporation and MacLennan is a board member along with Mary’s children, Andrew Keith, of Chicago, and Ellen Keith, of Baltimore, Md.

Mary McLaughlin moved away from Sedalia for several years. She returned in 1989 and became president of the family corporation in 1991. Since then, her involvement in various civic and charitable organizations earned her several local and state business awards. McLaughlin had always thought it would be neat to return home and to the family business.

“There’s something about being able to come back full circle,” she said.

A piece of McLaughlin’s heart will remain in Sedalia, even though she is preparing for retirement and eventually a move to Chicago to be close to her grandchildren.

“When you live in a place, you love it,” she said. “There’s just a very strong connection with your community.”