I was saddened to read about the lawsuit against Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home by the Titus Funeral Home.
I have a dear friend who I consider my adopted mom. She has lived in this community for 12 years. She became good friends with Ron and Pat Redpath years ago and introduced me to them also. She introduced me to another of her lady friends who I also now consider part of our family.
These two ladies have both had a long and close relationship with the Redpaths. The Redpaths have been great friends to these ladies. Going out to dinner or lunch together is a regular occurrence. We've met the Redpaths in the emergency room when on of the ladies called them after having a car accident. The Redpaths have gone to doctor's appointments, brought meals and been a wonderful support to these friends. I've seen the Redpaths at birthday parties, community events and just bumped into them in a store. They have always been kind, genuine and supportive.
I have never heard them say an unkind word about anyone or anything even after losing their jobs at Titus Funeral Home. I've listened to their excitement about the new funeral home and toured their beautiful facilities. I've been impressed with their generosity in making the funeral home family dining and gathering room available to the public free of charge. I have attended funerals at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and have always felt their care, concern and kindness for families and visitors alike.
I accompanied my friend when she went to pick up her pre-made funeral arrangements from Titus Funeral Home and take them to Redpath Fruth Funeral Home. She had sent Titus Funeral Home a written request to transfer her arrangements, which she made originally with the understanding that they could be transferred to anywhere she chose. She waited several months without a response. She decided she would go and pick them up herself and asked me to go with her. She called Titus Funeral Home and made an appointment to pick them up. When we got there, we needed to wait while Mr. Titus made copies of them before giving them to her. We all shook hands and left cordially. My friend was relieved to have her funeral arrangements back in the hands of her dear friends because they are friends and not because she was coerced or had any interference from anyone to make the decision.
I also have the utmost respect for John Fruth. I have been fortunate enough to have had both of his children in my classroom. I am a second-grade teacher in the public schools. He and his wife are wonderful supportive parents and great members of this community. They are a terrific example of what is the best part of this community, its people!
I would encourage J.K. Titus Inc to drop their lawsuit. There is plenty of funeral business from the obituaries I have seen in the paper to allow everyone to be able to make a more than adequate living. Let us practice being a community on all levels that prides itself on helping each other, not beating each other up.
