Our History
While attending Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 1953-54, Jim Vermeulen lived and worked at the Perry Funeral Home in Detroit, which was owned and operated by John Locniskar. Upon graduation, Jim continued his employment there and later became a partner in the corporation. Together they purchased the Joseph Costelano Funeral Home, in Westland, which had been in operation for one year. They also operated several small funeral homes in the Detroit area before branching out to Westland in 1972, and later in Plymouth in 1977, when they purchased the former Lambert Funeral Home. John Locniskar retired in the mid-eighties, and his interest in the corporation was purchased by the Vermeulens. John Locniskar and his wife, Mary, moved to Texas upon retirement.
Jim and Sylvia Vermeulen moved from their residence in Grosse Pointe Park to Plymouth in 1978. They have two daughters and two sons. Their older son, Jim B. Vermeulen joined the firm in 1982, and is manager of the three current locations, Perry Funeral Home in Detroit, Vermeulen Funeral Homes in Westland and Plymouth. Jim Jr. and his wife, Nancy have three children: a son in college and a son and daughter in high school. Jim Sr. underwent a very successful liver transplant in 1995, and though he is officially retired, he can often be found at any of the three locations. He will be a 60 year licensee in May of 2014.