In 1925, Hendricks Funeral Home, operated by Willis Hendricks, opened for business in Preston, Idaho.  In the early days, they provided service for a large area spanning from Richmond, Utah to Soda Springs, Idaho, and viewings were held in the home of the deceased before going to the church for the funeral.

During the 1930's, O Sherwin Webb, a nephew of Willis Hendricks, began to help out with the funeral business and floral business.  In 1945, due to the health problems of Mr. Hendricks, O. Sherwin Webb bought the mortuary and changed the name to its current name: Webb Funeral Home.

For years, the Webb family operated the funeral business, an ambulance service, and a floral business (greenhouses can be seen in the photo).  In 1956, Sherwin Webb sold the floral business to Nat Edwards and the funeral home and floral businesses were then separated.  The Webb's continued to run the ambulance service into the 1970's at which time Franklin County initiated a volunteer ambulance service.

Douglas S. Webb, son of O. Sherwin Webb, became involved with the business in the 1950's and in 1965 purchased the funeral home from his father.  He continues to run the mortuary today with his son-in-law, Ron Smellie, who began working with the funeral home in 1994, and with his son, Jordan D. Webb, who completed his training in 2007.

Webb Funeral Home operated at 109 East Oneida in Preston, Idaho for over 85 years until a new facility was constructed in 2010 at 1005 South 800 East, Preston, Idaho. Originally built in 1890 by Dr. Parkinson, the 109 E. Oneida location has been an icon in Preston for decades. Thousands of viewings and funerals have been conducted in the funeral home and there are many memories there.

"The 109 E. Oneida location served the public well for many years. The time came when we decided to upgrade our facility to make it more accommodating to the public. We will always honor and cherish our original location." Ron H. Smellie

Douglas S. Webb

As in many family owned businesses, the younger members of the family get involved in helping take care of the needs of the business. Douglas S. Webb is no exception.  As a young man, Douglas helped out around the mortuary assisting with the floral business, the ambulance service, and the funeral business.  It was a special opportunity for him to work with people while providing them a valuable service.  He also learned from his father, O. Sherwin Webb, not only the social skills required to run a funeral home, but also the technical skills needed.  This instilled in  Douglas a desire to continue in this profession as a lifetime occupation.  "It has been a very satisfying opportunity to become part of and to develop relationships with so many members of the community through serving them."

And that he has done.  Upon graduation from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, Douglas returned to Preston where he has been actively involved with the Preston Rotary Club, The Library Board, the PTO, the Rodeo Committee, as well as having served in many church leadership positions.

He is married to Sandra Varley Webb, and they have five children: Jennifer Webb, Heather (Ron) Smellie, Meridee (Nate) Moffett, Jordan Webb, and Landon (Amanda) Webb.  They have five grandchildren.

Ron H. Smellie

A graduate of Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia, Ron Smellie is a licensed funeral director in the States of Idaho and Utah.  He is also licensed to offer funeral pre-arrangement plans.  A native of Logan, Utah, Ron enjoyed growing up in Cache Valley where he was involved in high school athletics and served as Student body President of Logan High School. He played on the Utah State University Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. He also served an LDS mission to Milan, Italy. He enjoys all sports, especially golf, tennis, and basketball.

Ron is married to Heather Webb Smellie, and they have three sons, Taylor, Austin, and Luke, and one daughter, Lauren Brooke.  They live in Preston where they are involved in many church and community activities.  Ron is a member of the Preston Rotary Club, and has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board as well as the Idaho Festival of Lights Committee, the USU Big Blue Scholarship Fund, and the Utah State University Alumni Executive Board.  "Although challenging, the funeral service profession provides a great opportunity to serve others in their time of need. It's our goal to always be there for the community when they need our services."