John E. Roberts Funeral Home - Amherst Information

The John E. Roberts Funeral Home was established in 1932 by Thomas Roberts and his son John in the Old First Ward. Thomas owned a livery service that provided horse-drawn hearses to funeral directors. He was the first in Western New York to own and operate motorized hearses, an idea that caught on over time. The business later moved to Elmwood Avenue, and in 1955, John Roberts formed a partnership with Raymond Potts at the Elmwood and Hertel locations. This lasted until Potts retired in 1964. John's wife Mary, was also active in the John E. Roberts business and in 1949 became one of the first women in the state to become a licensed funeral director. John E. Roberts, Wedekindt Funeral homes merge: The owners of John E. Roberts Funeral home acquired Harry A. Wedekindt Funeral Home in 2008. John E. Roberts will continue to operate its own location at 1361 Hertel Ave in North Buffalo, as well as the Wedekindt location. The Amherst location with 12,000 square feet will allow the John E. Roberts Funeral Home to accommodate larger funerals.