Our Heritage

In 1915, Henry B. Hempen formed a partnership with Theodore J. Welling

and established Welling & Hempen, a popular general store in New Baden. The store sold an array of household products and LP gas. It also provided a number of services including plumbing, heating, and sheet metal products and services. In addition, Henry received his funeral director's license and established funeral service, providing caskets and other funeral merchandise, all of which was housed above the general store.

Funeral visitations around the turn of the century in the United States were mostly held in the home of the deceased. Most often preparation of the deceased was also done in the home. This meant that all equipment and supplies had to be taken to the home by horse and buggy at any time of day or night, in any kind of weather. Equipment for the wake or visitation was also delivered. Since most homes had no electricity, batteries and "strings of lights" as well as chairs, flowers stands, tables for lunch, and other equipment and supplies were delivered. Following preparation of the deceased, the family invited relatives, neighbors, and friends into their home for the visitation or wake, which was usually held in the front parlor or living room. The invitation was generally extended by use of funeral notices placed in businesses and public places to announce the wake since there were no telephones or local radio, and daily newspapers in rural areas were virtually non-existent. Houses sometimes were built with funerals in mind, with two front doors, one for visitors to enter, the other to exit. The actual funeral service usually held in the deceased's church. As transportation improved, traditions evolved and families began choosing to have visitations at funeral homes instead.

In late 1943, the Welling & Hempen partnership was dissolved. By this time the old general store had expanded; it made sense to separate the different businesses. Henry purchased property on the north side of Hanover Street in New Baden, about four blocks east of the original location, and established what would become Hempen Hardware, continuing his plumbing, heating, sheet metal, pump and pump repair, and insurance business. Shortly thereafter, he purchased property on the south side of the highway and established Hempen Funeral Home.

Henry was married to Augusta Mann and had three children: Marjorie, Bernard and Marilyn. Bernard, or Ben, as most knew him, served in the US Navy during WWII, then returned home to join his father in the businesses. Like his father, Ben was a licensed funeral director and embalmer as well as a licensed plumber. In 1956 Henry and Ben purchased property in Albers and built what was then the first building in Clinton County to be built as a funeral home. Prior to that, most funeral homes were established in converted single-family houses. In January 1965, Ben purchased the businesses from his father.

Ben had married Dorothy Carson in 1943 and together they had seven children. Ben's son, Carson, entered the businesses with his father in 1970. Like his father and grandfather, Carson was a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and a licensed plumber. In 1976, Carson purchased the businesses from his father. Carson and Ben were also certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Hempen Funeral Home provided ambulance service in New Baden and the surrounding area. This was a common practice since often times funeral homes had the only vehicle that could accommodate people needing emergency transportation to a hospital. In 1979, Carson upgraded the ambulance service by applying for and receiving a federal grant and placing into service one of the first van style ambulances in the area. In August, 1983 Carson assisted the Village of New Baden in establishing the municipal ambulance service to continue to provide service to New Baden, Albers, Damiansville, New Memphis, and Lookingglass Township.

In 1990, Carson closed Hempen Hardware to concentrate his efforts in the funeral business. Throughout this time, Carson had begun to assist other funeral homes in Southern Illinois including Bruegge Funeral Home in Breese and Brefeld Funeral Home in Aviston. In June of 1997, when Mike Bruegge decided to concentrate solely on his furniture business, Carson purchased Bruegge Funeral Home in Breese. He had also been assisting Dorothea (Brefeld) Lengermann and her husband Paul in the operation of Brefeld Funeral Home in Aviston. In May, 1999, a new funeral home was built and Carson purchased the business from the estate of Paul & Dorothy Lengermann. Today, Hempen Funeral Home has locations in Breese, Aviston, Albers, & New Baden. In 2010 we will be observing 95 years of service in New Baden and Albers. Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston has been family owned and operated for 100 years while the Breese location has the longest tradition of family owned and operated funeral service with 2005 marking its 138th year.

We take great pride in our service to our community. We believe that "giving back" is a major part of our obligation. That's why you will see Hempen Funeral Home as a sponsor to many local charitable events and personnel from the funeral home involved. We understand the values of Clinton County. Most importantly, we understand the importance of creating a meaningful funeral service for a life worth celebrating.