DELLAVECCHIA, REILLY & SMITH FUNERAL HOME - Key Persons

The Smith Funeral Home has a history over a one and half centuries that dates back to 1846. It was started by a cabinetmaker, William Hoffman, who set up a business on Market Street as a funeral director and furniture dealer. On April 3, 1875 Joseph Burton Smith purchased the business from William Hoffman and renamed the business to Joseph B. Smith & Son. Joseph owned and operated the funeral home from 1875 until the day of his death in 1927 - a period of 52 years. Following the death of Joseph, the business continued under the direction of his son and grandson, William B. Smith and Ashton B. T. Smith, Sr. respectively. At the death of William in 1944, his son Ashton B. T. Smith, Sr. carried on the firm's tradition. With the death of Ashton in 1970, his son Ashton B. T. Smith, Jr. assumed the directorship of the firm. This marked the fourth generation of service to greater West Chester by Joseph B. Smith & Son Funeral Home. In 1994 Ashton B. T. Smith, Jr., sold his funeral home on East Gay Street and merged with Reilly & DellaVecchia Funeral Home Inc. The business was renamed to DellaVecchia, Reilly & Smith Funeral Home, Inc. It continues to be independently owned & operated since 1875, and ranks among the oldest funeral establishments in the county to this day.