Robbins Brothers Funeral Home was established in April 1932 in Benton Harbor, Michigan by Olive Ermin Robbins (Grandmother), Glennarvin Earl Robbins (Uncle), and Raymond Andrew Robbins (Father).

Olive Ermin Robbins had cousins in Chicago, Illinois who had, before the turn of the century from 1880's to present, ran a Funeral Parlor (Mortuary Business). Cursey, McGowan, Morsau was the firms name. It is one of the oldest black funeral homes in the Chicago area.

This is where my grandmother got the idea for her 2 sons in the mortuary business. So in 1931, my grandfather, grandmother, uncle, dad and aunt got in their Model T or Struggle buggy and cruised the midwest and east coast looking for a suitable place (with growth potential). Mind you, this was depression time before WWII. They almost settled in East Orange, New Jersey when they were currently living in Battle Creek, Michigan while my uncle, grandmother and father were living here in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

My grandfathers job was in Battle Creek so he thought he better hold on to it in those depression times. Since family was here in Benton Harbor, and it was a beautiful area (with growth potential), Benton Harbor, Michigan was chosen as the place to establish Robbins Brothers Funeral Home Inc. Both my uncle and father later served in the Army in WWII, Glennarvin Earl Robbins (Pacific theater), Raymond Andrew Robbins (European theater).

After WWII, in 1951 my father united in marriage with my mother Gertha Lee (Howell) Robbins, who came on staff. She was also a school teacher in the Benton Harbor Area School District. Things progressed from the 1930's to 1940's to 1950's and so on. In 1980, I returned from Mortuary Science School, the College of Mortuary Science (Pierce Schools) in Indianapolis, Indiana. It has since moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana across the river from Louisville, Kentucky.

This year in April (2007), our firm celebrated 75 years of service in the Benton Harbor and Southwest Michigan area. I am a State of Michigan Licensed Funeral Director for the past 26 years. I am at your service.

Thank you,

Raymond Douglas Robbins, President