Our History

Shea Family Funeral Homes has been serving Bennington, Arlington, Manchester & Wilmington area families for years. We are honored to be a part of the rich history of this community and plan to be a part of it for many years to come.

The Beginning

Founded in 1884 by J.E. Walbridge, the Walbridge Company was located at 525 Main Street. Mr. Walbridge maintained his livery, coaches with horses, at the old Walbridge

Estate in Walbridgeville, now commonly known as Paper Mill Village. In the 1920’s, Roy Paddock joined J.E. Walbridge and married his daughter Edith.

Estate in Walbridgeville, now commonly known as Paper Mill Village. In the 1920’s, Roy Paddock joined J.E. Walbridge and married his daughter Edith.

Following Mr. Walbridge’s death Paddock and his wife Edith committed to continuing the business and moved the funeral across the street to 500 Main Street in 1927 allowing for expanded facilities dedicated to serving the community.

Dean Hanson

The Paddocks never had children thus as they aged, recognized the need to find a successor to the Walbridge Company. In 1955 they invited Dean F. Hanson to join them at 500 Main Street. Mr. Hanson purchased the business the next year and within several years recognized the need for a larger facility to serve the community’s needs. In 1958, Hanson purchased the property at 213 West Main Street across from St. Francis de Sales Church from the Holden family. This was a lovely historic Bennington home, constructed in 1867 and maintained from 1890 to 1958 by the Holden Family, prominent Bennington entrepreneurs’, benefactors and socialites.

Rich in Community Heritage and History

The Bennington area bears some of the richest history in the State of Vermont. With our Battle Monument, nearby Bennington Battlefield, historic buildings and covered bridges, museum and stories recounting pre-Revolutionary activities of many of the notables in American history we represent much of what our forefathers were and did to shape the history of this country.

Equally as rich in history are some of the community institutions including the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home. Hanson-Walbridge was honored by the State of Vermont in 2008 for 124 years of continuous service to the community.

The 1980's and Beyond

Mr. Hanson experienced some health problems and turned to his long time professional affiliate Bob Covey to assist with the funeral homes’ management and operation. In 1984 Covey assumed ownership of Hanson-Walbridge and operated the firm in conjunction with the family funeral home (Covey & Allen) in Wilmington as well as the Hanson-Walbridge Arlington Chapel and Brewster Funeral Service in Manchester

The 2000's

In January of 2004 Covey passed ownership to Mark and Lisa Shea, longtime employees of Bob Covey, again continuing the tradition of family ownership.

Currently..

Today, Shea Funeral Homes has maintained high professional standards at all four locations. In addition, we operate Vermont Cremation Service and Shea Monument Company. Our fine staff is always ready to serve your needs.