Our History
In 1888, A.H. Schram began the business. The first business locations were at the present “Book World” and “Miller Home Furnishings” buildings in Merrill. In those early years visitations or “wakes” were held in the home of the deceased. Emblaming was often done at the home. The Schrams also owned and operated two furniture stores. This was very common in those days. As time progressed funeral services became more and more specialized. Mr. Schram’s sons, Alfred, Clarence and Gustav, eventually joined the business and in 1939 they purchased and converted the Rectory of the Episcopalian Church, 212 Pier St., into a Funeral Home. Eventually the furniture and funeral home businesses became separate entities.
In the 1950’s, a son-in-law of one of the Schram boys, Joe Johanson, took over the business and operated it until the late 1960’s. In 1976, Alan, Dean and Paul Waid purchased the funeral home which was known as the Schram-Waid Funeral Home. Due to space, parking and handicap accessibility issues, the Waids decided to build a new facility. In April of 1994 they moved into the new funeral home at 301 Eagle Dr. and changed the name to Waid Funeral Home. The Waid Family has been serving the Merrill Area Community now for over 3 decades. On July 1, 2008 the Waid’s sold part of their interest in the business to the Vertin Family of Minnesota. Alan retired in March of 2009 and Paul continues to serve families in the Merrill Area as a funeral director, manager and part owner.
We are very proud of our legacy in funeral service. We are now celebrating 124 years of compassionate and caring service to Merrill Area Families and rest assured we will be here for many more years to come.
Paul Waid – Owner/Director
