400 Jefferson Avenue
Moundsville, WV 26041
304-845-0400 We often wonder if Simeon Grisell had planned on founding a six-generation family business when he began serving the folks of Rocky Run, Wetzel County as Quaker Minister and cabinetmaker. Caskets were made to order in 1847. The local cabinetmaker already contracted to build the custom casket gradually assumed the role of funeral director. Simeon Grisell left West Virginia and moved to Nebraska, but his son E. Chalmer Grisell, the second generation, returned to Moundsville in 1891. He graduated from Clark College of Embalming in Springfield, OH, and was only the 58th man to be licensed as a funeral director in West Virginia. It was E. Chalmer Grisell who first introduced the art of embalming to the local community. He opened his office in a small, two-story garage building on Thirteenth St., west of Lafayette Avenue. The original bill of sale for his first supplies was dated August 11, 1891. E. Chalmer’s first call in Moundsville was September 30, 1891. In 1894 he moved the funeral home into its second location on Lafayette Avenue. This building was torn down as a part of West Virginia State Route 2 relocation.

By 1919, E. Chalmer's son Elmer Grisell had already graduated from the Columbus College of Embalming and had joined his father in the business. After the death of E. Chalmer, Elmer moved the business to 805 Fifth St. where it remained until 1980. Elmer purchased the first automobile funeral car for the Ohio Valley. Funeral Directors from Wheeling and St. Clairsville would often borrow the vehicle. Before that time, the Horse-Drawn hearse was used, similar to the one on display and still available to those served by Grisell Funeral Home.

In the 1920's and 1930's, the Fifth St. location was the home the Elmer Grisell Family. During these decades most visitations and funeral were held in the home of the deceased. However, should the family prefer to have services in the Grisell Funeral Home, the family living room was used. During the late 1930's, Elwood G. and Curtis E. Grisell graduated from the Cleveland College of Embalming. Each joined Elmer in the family business-Elwood in 1935 and Curtis in 1938.

By 1940, the "Funeral Home" as we know it today was used more and more frequently for services, and the first floor of the Fifth St. location was completely remodeled into a modern funeral home. By 1950 more room was needed and the second floor apartment was converted into additional visitation rooms and coffee lounge. In 1962, the adjoining parking lot was added, and in 1964 the entire building was enlarged and redecorated. Elmer Grisell remained active in the business until his death in 1959. In 1963 Sidney E. Grisell, of the fifth generation, graduated from The Pittsburgh Institute Of Mortuary Science. He joined his father, Elwood and Uncle Curtis until their retirements in the late 1970's. Curtis Grisell passed away on May 12, 1991 and his brother Elwood G. Grisell passed away on August 11, 2002. It was Sidney who moved the business into its present location of 400 Jefferson Ave. Moundsville in 1980. Under his leadership the Grisell Family has branched into the communities of Bellaire OH, New Martinsville, WV, Clarington, OH and Sardis, OH.