Our History

Stephen Paquelet, a cabinet and coffin maker from France, came to the United States in 1867 and continued his trade in Louisville, Ohio. His son Charles Paquelet, moved to Canton in 1900 and opened his own funeral business and furniture store, followed by his grandson Charles (Bud) Paquelet, who moved to Massillon and opened his own funeral home in 1929. Bud passed away in 1966, and his son Joe, followed in the family’s footsteps and took over the funeral home that was located at 219 Federal in Massillon, which was later moved down the street to 320 Federal.

Joe, being a lead visionary of the funeral home, assumed ownership of another funeral home in 1984, the former Hug-Angelo-Savage Funeral Home in Navarre. Joe then changed the name of the Navarre location to Paquelet Funeral Home. Then, in 2003, Paquelet Funeral Homes moved its Massillon location to a brand new, beautiful facility at 1100 Wales Road. The facility is shared with the Paquelet’s long time alliance, Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home.

Since 1991, Joe and Charlene Paquelet of the Paquelet Funeral Home, and Wayne Arnold (1918 - 2008) and Bob Wilbarger (1933 - 2009) of Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home, worked together by sharing automobiles and staff. With the opening of the new facility in 2003, Paquelet and Arnold-Lynch are now under one roof, with one goal…to offer a higher level of care to families in the area when they need it the most.

The Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home is proud of a history of service that dates back to 1918. Clayton Arnold founded the firm on South Erie Street, and was joined by J. Ray Lynch twelve years later. The partners moved to Lincoln Way East in 1938. After the death of Clayton Arnold and J. Ray Lynch, Wayne Arnold and Robert (Bob) Wilbarger took over the ownership. In 1979, Charles G. Miller purchased the Arnold’s interest in the firm, and then decided to sell his share of the business to Wayne Arnold, Joe Paquelet, and Charlene Paquelet in September of 1991.

Today, Joe and Charlene Paquelet, along with their staff, understand the importance of family tradition, improvement and innovation. The Paquelet & Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Homes continue to be family-owned and operated, and have a single focus; providing the best quality service and value to our families and friends. We are not beholden to stockholders or driven to increase profits. Our goal is not only to satisfy your needs, but to exceed your expectations.