About Us

For many years, we have served our community by providing healing and meaningful funeral and memorial services that honor life and meet the needs of those who grieve. Our hope is that from the moment you walk through our doors, you feel welcomed, respected, and heard.

History

For over 140 years, Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Services has served our community.

April 30, 1867

Henry Meyer and Joseph Pietzuch, a former Civil War Captain for Company 1 of the 32nd Indiana Infantry, opened the original undertaking and furniture business on Fifth Street.

1868

Mr. Pietzuch only stayed with the business for a year. He graduated from the Polytechnic School of Breslau in 1842, where he studied architecture. Due to his education in the field of engineering and his military past, he left the funeral business to become the civil engineer for the construction of the Dayton Soldier’s Home in Dayton, Ohio.

1876

Charles Rapp is hired by Henry Meyer. Mr. Rapp was also a German immigrant who had traveled to the United States at age 27.

1877

After working for Mr. Meyer for a little over a year, Mr. Rapp purchased the furniture and undertaking business and moved it to the corner of Fifth and Hoosier Street. Mr. Meyer continued to run a general store at the site of the former furniture and undertaking business location.

1879

Henry Rapp is born.

1892 

Fred Rapp is born.

Early 1900s

Between Charles and his two boys, the Rapp family undertaking business flourished in North Vernon. Charles ran the business, and his two sons were embalmers.

May 22, 1927

Charles Rapp passed away at the age of 79. Henry and Fred, along with the help of George Diekhoff of Westport, tried to operate the business as their father had. However, after their father’s passing, they quickly lost interest in the business.

October 1927

Less than five months after Charles’s death, the business was sold to Mr. Diekhoff. 

1930s – 1940s

Just before leaving to serve in World War II, a young man named Richard Vance began working for Mr. Diekhoff. He decided to pursue the undertaking business and graduated from the Indiana Institute of Mortuary Science in 1941. At the end of the war, he returned home and began to work for George Diekhoff again. In 1946, the funeral home moved to its current location at 115 South State Street under the new name Diekhoff & Vance Funeral Home but continued to run the furniture business in the funeral home's old location. 

1959

Mr. Diekhoff passed away at age 66. Shortly after his death, Mr. Vance purchased the business from Mr. Diekhoff’s wife, Clara.

1966

While still in high school, Larry Fisher began working for Mr. Vance. Shortly after, he became a licensed funeral director. Larry still currently works with the funeral home.

1993

Brian Sawyer, a grandson of Richard Vance, graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Service and began to work for his grandfather. At this time, the funeral home's name was changed to Vance-Fisher-Sawyer Funeral Chapel.

1995

Mr. Vance passed away. Mr. Sawyer continued to operate the business by himself.

2003

Brian Sawyer purchased Pickett Funeral Home from Harold and Annabelle Pickett, who started the business themselves in 1988. Brian Sawyer ran the two funeral homes under the corporate name of Sawyer Funeral Service.

2007

Mr. Sawyer decided to merge the two funeral homes into a single location. The site of the Vance-Fisher-Sawyer Funeral Chapel was chosen. Then, the name was changed to Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service. 

Our staff is here to provide you with excellent care and service during your time of loss. Get to know the people who will help you through the planning process.