ComforTemp Inc. has closed its doors after 61 years of meeting the heating and cooling needs of Warsaw businesses and residents.
A sign that states the business, 1130 E. Winona Avenue, has closed has hung on the front door since Sept. 25.
The business was known for its sheet metal, stainless steel, aluminum and copper-fabricating services. The boxes on Little Crow Foods were constructed using the business's fabricating services.
Richard Siefken and Don Baum purchased the Philpott Tin Shop in 1946. The name of the business was changed to Warsaw Sheet Metal & Electric Co.
In 1953, a new building was completed on the southwest corner of Winona Avenue and Bronson Street.
In 1956, the sheet metal industry merged with the heating and cooling industry. Warsaw Sheet Metal & Electric Company changed its name to ComforTemp Inc.
Richard Siefken owned and operated the company until he retired in 1977. James Hileman, who died in August, bought the business in 1977 with Mirriam Page.
After serving as a secretary for Siefken, Paege retired approximately 10 years ago.
After Paege retired, Hileman bought the business in 1993, and Paege sold half of her share. She now owns half of the real estate, and Hileman owns the other half.
Hileman's son, Kevin, said before his father died he joked with him that he would never know the secrets he was taking with him in regards to the heating and cooling business.
Kevin said the decision to close the business was not an easy one to make. He said he and his brother, James D. Hileman, made the decision to close the business.
"With our lack of knowledge and experience in the heating and cooling business, we couldn't provide the same standards of service our dad was able to provide," Kevin said.
Kevin remembers his father making house calls to help fix customers' air conditioners and furnaces in the middle of the night and on weekends.
"He always wore the same blue shirt and had a pocket protector," Kevin recalled. "He touched a lot of lives in the community."
He said, as a child, he remembers visiting his dad at work.
"With the B&K, YMCA and Flag Pole Ice Cream Shop and my dad's business, I remember the corner being a busy place when I was a child," Kevin said.
Kevin said he is not sure what will happen with the building. He has been mailing letters to customers notifying them the business has closed.
He said if people call the business's former number, they will be directed to Elliott's Heating & Air Conditioning, Warsaw.
Kevin said Elliott's Heating & Air Conditioning will maintain all of ComforTemp's warranties.
