Times have changed, our equipment has changed, but the most important matters have not. We are still a family owned and operated business. We still enjoy meeting our customers, making them feel part of our family, and we have not changed our firm belief in a "no pressure" sales approach. At Slagel Monuments we are honored to provide “A tradition of integrity, quality and trust since 1972!”
Slagel Monuments came to existence in April 1972 as a one-man operation. Jim and Lucy Slagel, two of our current owners, bought out Modern Monument Company from Melvin Vail, which was based out of Cropsey, Illinois. Melvin had agreed to teach Jim the trade until Jim could work on his own. However, that was not meant to be as Melvin died unexpectedly in June 1972.
Left with only 2 months of experience, Jim embarked on a rough journey of learning a trade he knew very little about. The work was very labor intensive as the stencils were all cut by hand. A wholesale granite salesman put Jim in touch with another monument dealer in Bloomington, Illinois, Bill Knuth from Knuth Memorials. Bill was instrumental in helping Jim and providing expert advice. As a result, a long lasting friendship was formed between Bill & Jim. |
In 1981, Jim decided to move Slagel Monuments to his residence and built a new shop to house both businesses. Before the move, however, a barn fire at his residence resulted in the loss of a significant amount of new granite inventory. As is normal in a small, rural community, numerous people came to offer assistance after the fire. As the men gathered, one suggested since all the men were there, they should help Jim move the business to the new facility that day. Slagel Monuments was then moved from Cropsey to our current location and personal residence of Jim and Lucy. When the new granite arrived, a local farmer loaded the stones in the back of his grain truck and took them to Bill Knuth. Bill lettered them, and in time, the same farmer picked them up and delivered the monuments back to Slagel Monuments. Jim was still able to set the monuments in a timely manner that fall.
Jim and Lucy’s children were (and are) involved over the years. All the children remember digging foundation holes, helping pour concrete, rolling out the sealing compound in long ropes, and washing the stones. Girls and boys alike learned to operate a shovel and peel off stencil very early in life! The boys learned to sandblast, set monuments, and work in the cemeteries. One of the most important things learned and “engraved” in the children’s minds by working alongside their parents is anything less than excellent workmanship and high quality is not acceptable. |
Times have changed, our equipment has changed, but the most important matters have not. We are still a family owned and operated business. We continue to enjoy meeting our customers, making them feel part of our family, and we have not changed our firm belief in a no pressure sales approach. At Slagel Monuments we are honored to provide “A tradition of integrity, quality and trust since 1972!”
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