Our History

John A. Barr (1867 - 1949)

Nichol Funeral Home was founded in Marianna, PA, in 1884 by John A. Barr. What started as a hardware, furniture, and undertaking business quickly became a cornerstone of the community.

Born in West Bethlehem Township to John G. and Eunice Barr, John attended local schools and later learned the wagon-making trade. He and his brother ran a wagon-making and repair shop for some time before John moved to Marianna. There, he built “a substantial building, with dimensions of 38 by 60 feet” to house his hardware business and serve the town.

Along with selling furniture and hardware, he began offering undertaking services. A period news publication noted that the business “has four floors in use, carrying a full stock of furniture and carpets and having well-arranged undertaking rooms.”

Arley George Shrontz (1890-1947)

On February 6, 1892, John A. Barr married Amanda Gayman, a lifelong resident of West Bethlehem Township. Later that year, they welcomed a daughter, Iris Barr.

Iris eventually met Arley George Shrontz, and the two married soon after. In 1913, Arley joined John in the business, becoming a licensed funeral director serving Marianna, West Bethlehem Township, and the surrounding areas.

Arley and Iris had three children: John Harvey, Mary Grace, and Geraldine Marie. John Harvey developed an interest in the funeral profession and, in 1935, became a licensed funeral director, joining his father in the business.

John H. Shrontz (1911-1977)

In 1947, Arley Shrontz dies suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack in his home in Marianna. A short time later, in 1949, John Barr also dies at the age of 81. These losses would leave John to operate the funeral home. The business name was changed to the John H. Shrontz Funeral Home where he would continue and carry forward the legacy of Mr. Barr and his father, Arley.

The Nichol Family (1977-Present)

In 1965, E. Richard Nichol became a licensed funeral director and joined John H. Shrontz in the business. The firm was later renamed Shrontz-Nichol Funeral Home. After John Shrontz passed away in 1977, E. Richard Nichol continued the business under the name Nichol Funeral Home. He was later joined by his son, J. Richard Nichol, who became a licensed funeral director in 1984.

In 1983, the Nichol family purchased the historic Martin’s Inn in Pancake (South Strabane Township), just outside the City of Washington, PA. After extensive planning and a full renovation, Nichol Funeral Home – Washington opened as a branch of the Marianna location.

Ten years later, in 1994, J. Richard’s mother, Carol, became a licensed funeral director and began working alongside her son, managing both locations. She also became the licensed supervisor of the Washington location, a role she continues to hold today.



J. Richard’s daughter, Melissa L. Nichol, became a licensed funeral director in 2009, representing the sixth generation of our family to serve Washington County.

Today, more than 135 years later, our family continues the legacy of care and service started by John A. Barr so long ago.