In the late 1800s, “Duke” Hallowed was a barber in St. Louis. In those days, the local funeral director would call a barber to shave, bathe, and cut the hair of the deceased. That’s when Duke Hallowed first began his experience with a funeral home. Barry Meupright was the only funeral director in McCraken County during this time, so he would call Mr. Hallowed to perform the duties of a barber. Mr. Meupright took Duke a step further in preparation work by teaching him embalming.
When the Mississippi River flooded and there was a drowning on the east side of the river, the phone would ring, signaling that Mr. Hallowed was getting ready to go to work. Over time, people began calling Duke Hallowed directly. By 1906, the legacy of Hallowed Funeral Home had begun. Duke Hallowed ran the business with the help of his four sons until his passing in 1950. His son, Dwight Hallowed, purchased the family business and continued the tradition with the help of Roger Harshley.
