Who We Are
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
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Our History
Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Home was established in 1902 as Baughman Funeral Home by Daniel Brice Baughman of Black Run, Ohio. The original funeral home was located at Black Run about three miles west of Frazeysburg. The original site is now known as Baughman Park.
Brice was known throughout the area, not only as an undertaker, but also as a master stone mason. His stone renderings of presidents and generals still remain today. Brice operated the business from his home in Black Run. In 1935 Brice's eldest son, Lester, joined the firm and in 1940 Brice's youngest son, Harold, joined the firm. The firm title was then changed to Baughman & Sons Funeral Home.
In 1946 Brice decided he needed more room for his growing business and moved to the village of Frazeysburg. He expanded further in 1946 when he purchased the Ransom Funeral Home in Dresden.
Brice died in 1954, leaving the firm to his sons, Lester and Harold. Harold retired in 1979 and Lester retired in 1981. At that time the business was sold to Carl Vensil and Ray Orr who were employees of the firm. The firm name then changed to Baughman-Vensil-Orr Funeral Home. Carl and Ray have operated the business from that point on. In 1982 they expanded their operations by opening a chapel in Adamsville and in 1987 the firm name changed to Vensil-Orr Funeral Homes.
In 2002, Carl and Ray's close friend, David Chute, joined the firm as a partner and the firm expanded to serve the Newark community. The firm name is now Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Homes. This funeral home prides itself on continuing the foundation of service Brice Baughman began in 1902, while adapting to a changing industry and offering exceptional and innovative services that are not only unique to this area, but around the country. The firm strives in all they do, to live up to their motto of "Exceeding Your Expectations" through their facilities, exceptional staff, and superior service.
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Our Valued Staff
Carl And Carolyn Vensil, Partner
Carl is a native of Nashport, Ohio and has been a licensed funeral director since 1974. He is a 1970 graduate of Tri-Valley High School; attended Ohio University; and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1973. Carl joined Baughman and Sons Funeral Homes in 1971. He worked for the Baughman Brothers until becoming a partner in 1981.
Carl has been active in many community and civic organizations. He is a past president and member of the Frazeysburg Lions Club, former District Deputy Grand Master of the 18th Masonic District, former president of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association District 13, and former Mayor of the Village of Frazeysburg. He is a past master and past secretary of the Irville Masonic Lodge. In 2002 Carl was appointed as a Trustee to the Rambo Memorial Heath Center of Zanesville.
Carl and Carolyn (Palmer) have six children, Melissa (Ryan) Lees, Carrie (Terry) Swartz, Julie (Joe) Bice, Katie, Seth and Darrin. Carolyn is a Registered Nurse and a licensed funeral director.
Carl and Carolyn are members of St. Ann Catholic Church in Dresden and reside in Frazeysburg.
Email Carl at carl@vocfh.com
Raymond and Lois Orr, Partner
Ray has been a licensed funeral director since 1980. He graduated from Zanesville High School in 1974, and graduated from Ohio University in 1977 and is a Registered Nurse. In 1979 he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and joined the Baughman and Sons Funeral Homes and became a partner in 1981.
Ray has played an active role in his community as a charter member and twice past president of the North Muskingum Ruritan Club, the founding president of the Dresden Village Association, a member and past chaplain of the Dresden Lodge F.&A.M. #103, and as a past president and 12-year member of the Tri-Valley Local Board of Education.
Ray and Lois (Palmer) have two sons, Christopher and daughters in law Stacy and Jeffrey and Sarah and a granddaughter Izzabella. Lois is a Registered Nurse and licensed Funeral Director since 1988. They are members of the Heath Church of Christ and reside in Newark. Ray and Carl are married to sisters, the former Carolyn and Lois Palmer.
Email Ray at ray@vocfh.com or Lois at lois@vocfh.com
David and Susanna Chute, Partner
David has been a licensed funeral director since 1981. He is a 1972 graduate of New Lexington High School. David attended The Ohio State University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1979.
He and his family have lived in Newark for over 20 years. David worked as a funeral director at Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home in Newark before joining Vensil-Orr as a partner in the fall of 2002.
David is active in the Newark community. He has served as a member and former president of Moundbuilders Kiwanis Club; a former board member of the American Red Cross; and on numerous committees at church. David is currently a Lt. Governor for Kiwanis International. He is an active member of the National Funeral Director’s Association; Ohio Funeral Director’s Association; and the Ohio Embalmer’s Association. David is also a Private Pilot.
David and his wife Susanna (Birkimer) have three children, Bradley of Newark, Byron of Los Angeles, California and Carrie of Columbia, South Carolina. David and Susanna reside in Newark.
Email David at david@vocfh.com
Bradley J. Chute, Funeral Director
Bradley has been a licensed funeral director since 2004. He is a 1998 graduate of Newark High School. He graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2003.
Bradley is an active in the community and various professional organizations. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association; Ohio Funeral Directors Association, currently serving on the Scholastic Assistance Committee and as an officer for District 13; Ohio Embalmers Association; and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
Bradley and his wife Meghann (Grindrod) are parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. They reside in Newark.
Email Bradley at bradley@vocfh.com
Joe Hollister, Associate
Joe has been an associate since 2003. Joe is a lifelong resident of Newark. He graduated from Newark High School in 1962. He married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Wright in 1967.
Joe and Suzie have two grown children, Aimee of Newark and Mike of Las Vegas, NV. Joe and Suzie are parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and reside in Newark.
Bernard L. Palmer, Associate
Bernard L. Palmer has been associated with the funeral homes since 1985, following his retirement from Kaiser Aluminum Company.
Bernard and his wife, Betty, have three daughters, Carolyn married to partner Carl Vensil, Lois maried to partner Ray Orr and Debbie (Pete) Spring of Roseville. A lifelong resident of the Gratiot area, he is a member of the Gratiot United Methodist Church.
David R. West, Associate
Dave has been an associate of the firm since 2005. He is retired from Brockway Glass.
Dave is a member of the North Terrace Church of Christ where he also serves as an elder. Dave and his wife Diane live near Dresden. They have two children that reside in St. Louis, Missouri.
Thaddeus Kilgore
Thad has been an associate since 2004. Originally from Cleveland, Thad retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation. In addition to helping at the funeral home, Thad is the owner of Kilgore Enterprises, a janitorial and cleaning supply service in Newark.
Thad and his wife Angie are active members of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and reside in Newark.
Jeff Grindrod, Associate
Jeff has been an associate since 2009. Originally from Madiera in the Cincinnati area, he moved to Licking County in 1974. Jeff has worked for the Newark City Schools for over 30 years as an English teacher at Newark High School. He also has coached Newark High School Football for many years.
Jeff is a graduate of Denison University and Xavier University.
Jeff and his wife Susan (Schmidt) have two grown daughters, Meghann Chute, and Alexis Grindrod, both of Newark. Jeff and Sue are parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and reside in Newark.
