Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes Serving in both Virden and Girard!

By Cindy Ladage

The Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes have two locations, one at 22 W. Jefferson St in Girard, and one at 521 N. Springfield St., in Virden. Patrick Young, of Airsman & Calvert shared a bit of history about the Virden home, and what Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes have to offer.

The home in Virden was built in the early 1800s by a gentleman that owned coal mines. The large multi-storied building with a beautiful hard wood staircase is quite lovely and expansive. There is lots of room for services, family to gather, and space for families to meet with Airsman and Calvert staff.

Since the time that the building was a funeral home, it has served as a place for mourners to gather and remember their loved ones.  The funeral home began under the Berry Funeral Home name. “Then Alex Calvert purchased it back in 1991, I believe,” Patrick said.

Patrick has worked with Alex Calvert for several years, and said he wanted to be in the funeral home business since he was in the 4th grade.  “My dad’s best friend was funeral home director in Shelbyville, Illinois,” Patrick said.

After graduating from high school, Patrick attended MidAmerica College of Funeral Services in Jeffersonville, Indiana, following his dream to be in the mortuary business.  He has been at Airsman & Calvert for the last four years.

Patrick shared that after Alex Calvert bought the funeral home from the Berry family that Bill Ferry joined him.  “Then in 1998, I believe they changed their name to Calvert and Ferry Funeral Home. In January of 2020, Bill and his wife Gayla decided to enjoy the grandkids more and retire.”

With Alex Calvert still the owner of the funeral home, Greg May took Bill Ferry’s place. “That’s where the Airsman name comes in,” Patrick said.

Patrick said that the beauty of the success of both the Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes in Virden and Girard, “Is the loyalty of the local citizens allowing us to serve their families in their time of need.”

Once upon a time, most towns had their own shoe store, grocery store and a local funeral home, while that is not true for many locations, Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes are still local, and family owned, which is becoming less common.  “We will always be family oriented and have family values. Our business is built around the families we serve,” Patrick added.

While they still have the funeral homes at the Virden and Girard location there was once a home also in Auburn, but it is no longer part of the Airsman Calvert mix.  However, Patrick said they continue to serve clients from Auburn and throughout the central Illinois area.

“We are very lucky and blessed to be in our Virden Community,” Patrick who lives next door to the funeral home in Virden said.

When asked about what services they offer the grieving members of the community after losing a loved one, Patrick said, “There is nothing we can’t or won’t do.  When the family comes in with a wish, we get the opportunity to make it happen. It can be something as simple as a service on a family farm. Whatever the family wants, we try to make it a personal celebration of life for their loved one, and to honor their wishes.”

At Airsman Calvert Funeral Homes, they offer services from cremation to donation to science, to traditional funerals.  “We are family oriented, its all about their wishes. We have had tractors and fire trucks pulling caskets. Business owners have requested using their personal vehicles.  If we can make it happen, we will.”

As far as trends are concerned, Patrick said that more clients are turning towards cremation.  “Theres a tendency for cremation to be more a choice in today’s world. Many though are still electing to have a traditional visitation, and funeral, with cremation to follow.”

Airsman & Calvert owns their own crematory, meaning that your loved one never leaves their family’s care.

Part of the draw of Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes, is their longevity.  “We’ve been here for a long time, and we will be here for many years to come.”

Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes are involved in the local community and are supportive of events like projects at the local high school and more. They are honored to be serving the Virden and Girard communities and want to be there during the hard times for the citizens of Macoupin County and beyond.

For more information, check Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes out on their website at www.airsmancalvert.com. They can be reached by phone at 217-965-3321.