The site of North Huntingdon Township’s first funeral home is deeply rooted with historical happenings. A part of the camp of Braddock’s Army and the Three Springs Camp of George Washington, along with the name of Col. Robert Stewart, founder of Sterwartsville, have been knitted into its illustrious history.

The fine historical tradition that has seen North Huntingdon Township into its 200 th year can be traced in the plot of ground that now houses the James W. Shirley Funeral Home in Circleville. It is situated on a parcel of land that is historically significant and whose ownership can be traced to the 1700s, when the property, patented to William Marshall, was known as Marshall’s Long Meadows. The entire Marshall family was wiped out in 1780 by an Indian massacre and they now lie in a family burial plot in Long Run Cemetery, marked by a new stone given by the Long Run Presbyterian Church. The church and its cemetery are located on property donated to them around 1770 by the Marshalls. Beginning in the 1700’s with the patent of William Marshall, the tract carries the names of Alexander Barr, Robert and William Stewart, the Saam Family ties, Aaron Jeffries, William Nicholls, Michael Gisel, John A. Whitehead, James McFarland, John George, Jr. Robert S. Daily, Winfred Daily, Sarah Daily, and Vernon and Alice Gahagan.

The tradition of pioneer spirit carried into the founding of the Shirley Funeral Home. James Shirley, founder of the firm, was born January 4, 1933, in Harrison City. Son of the late Herbert J. and Flossie Good Shirley, he was the youngest of six children. He became orphaned early in life, losing his father at the age of one and his mother when he was eight. He graduated from Penn Township High School and, under the G.I. Bill, attended California State Teachers College and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Upon graduation from mortuary school in 1958, he served an apprenticeship in Pittsburgh and continued to work there until 1964. Before his marriage to Jennie Zacur of Latrobe in 1958, he brought her to Circleville and showed her where they would live and have a funeral home someday.

In September of 1964, North Huntingdon Township had its first funeral home. Conveniently located in the neighborhood of Circleville, the James W. Shirley Funeral Home continues to expand and improve. A parking lot in the rear adds convenience, and a portico on the side adds comfort.

Mr. Shirley is now retired and his son, James Shirley, Jr. owns and operates the funeral home and continues the reputation of commitment and trust established throughout the years. Along with the other experienced and professional funeral directors, Pamela Shirley-Kukich and his grandson Ryan T. Bushik, we strive to provide compassionate care and attention to detail at a time of difficulty and sorrow.