Our Story
James E. (Jim) Humphrey
Jim Humphrey was a first-generation funeral director who founded the funeral home that proudly bears his name. For more than 40 years, Jim served families throughout Pottsville and Schuylkill County with compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication. He believed it was his responsibility to guide families through the most difficult time of their lives — never influencing them toward decisions that made them uncomfortable. That philosophy remains the foundation of our funeral home today under the leadership of his son.
Jim began his career in funeral service at just 16 years old, working for the late Paul S. and Lloyd T. Allen in Pottsville. After graduating from Pottsville Area High School in 1963, he attended Kilgore College, graduating in 1967. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1972.
Upon returning home in 1972, Jim worked as one of two full-time hearse drivers for Schuylkill Rental Service, serving many funeral homes throughout Schuylkill County. In 1973, he enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1974. He completed his internship under Lloyd T. Allen and received his Pennsylvania funeral director’s license on December 17, 1975.
In 1983 Jim became supervisor of the former Allen Funeral Home, Inc.
Jim became deeply involved in community and professional organizations, including the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, where he served as Acting Executive Director, District Governor, and later President from 1983–1984 — becoming the first and only funeral director from Pottsville and Schuylkill County to hold that office.
In September 1985, Jim left the former Allen Funeral Home to pursue his dream of establishing his own funeral home — one built on personal service, honesty, and compassion. During this time Jim assisted at the former Harold H. Geschwindt Funeral Home, Inc., in Schuylkill Haven as well numerous other funeral homes in Schuylkill County.
On November 11, 1986, Jim and his wife Linda purchased the current property which housed the former Morgan Home for Funerals. After completing extensive renovations, Jim and Linda officially opened the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home on February 1, 1987 — building not only a business, but a home where they raised their two sons, James and Todd, above the funeral home itself.
The early years were challenging. During the first six years, they served just 38 families. Jim continued assisting other funeral homes to support his own young business. Over time, however, his dedication to detail, personal care, and unwavering philosophy of serving families first allowed the funeral home to grow steadily.
Linda & Jim Humphrey
Throughout the years, the funeral home expanded to better serve the community. Additional properties were purchased to create expanded parking — now the largest funeral home parking facility in Pottsville — along with numerous interior and exterior improvements to enhance comfort and accessibility for families.
Second Generation Leadership
James B. Humphrey & James E. Humphrey
In 1992, Jim and Linda’s oldest son, James E. Humphrey II, told his parents he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Having grown up in the funeral home, James witnessed firsthand the compassion and dedication his parents showed families every day.
He graduated from Pottsville Area High School in 2004 and later attended Penn State University. In 2009, he enrolled in the online program at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 2011. After completing his internship, James became a licensed Pennsylvania funeral director and joined his father in serving the community.
In 2017, due to Jim’s declining health, James assumed control of the daily operations. In June 2019, he officially became the second-generation owner of the funeral home. On August 16, 2019, Jim passed away peacefully at home.
Today, James continues his father’s legacy — committed to expanding services, easing burdens on families, and serving Pottsville and the surrounding communities with the same quality, care, compassion, and dignity that have defined the Humphrey name for decades.
