History of Bell Vault & Monument
In 1935, the brothers parted ways with Calvin buying out his brother and staying in Miamisburg, Ohio. That same year, in the midst of the depression, Calvin Bell built a new building and added monuments to his product offerings. Soon after, he changed the name of the business to Bell Vault & Monument Works.
The company grew steadily through the final years of the depression and the war years of the early 1940's. By the early fifties, Calvin was ready to change his strategy. On June 15th, 1950, a license to manufacture Wilbert burial vaults was purchased. In that year 835 burial vaults were sold.
In the late 1950's, Calvin's son, Robert (Bob), joined his father and brother, Gary, in the family business. A few years later, his younger brother, John, joined the Bell Vault & Monument Works as well. Bob quickly established himself as the heir apparent of the company by focusing on the monuments as well as taking a personal interest in the Wilbert organization. In 1967, Wilbert patented the first plastic lined burial vault which Bell Vault & Monument Works immediately began manufacturing. In 1971, Calvin retired, leaving Bob as the President of the thriving company.
Bob had worked hard to gain the loyalty and respect of the local funeral directors. In the early 1980's, he bought out both brothers and was looking for a retirement plan of his own. This came in the form of his two sons, Greg and Tim.
Tim focused on manufacturing while Greg set his mind on sales. Their successes allowed them to purchase Penn Vault Company in Milford, Ohio in 1985. They moved its operations to Fayetteville, Ohio while maintaining the headquarters in Miamisburg. Soon after, in 1995, Tim and Greg purchased the Lima Burial Vault Company in Lima, Ohio.
In 1983, Bob Bell noticed a growing trend in cremation and started a crematory service in their Miamisburg location. The company now has the ability to also cremate pets for grieving families under the name Cherished Pets Cremation Service, which started in 1999.
In 2005, Greg and Tim Bell sought a change of scenery in their lives and looked to sell Bell Vault to someone who would know how to run such a historical business in a committed manner. After a few offers were made, they decided to trust their company to the hands of a family from nearby Cincinnati.
In June of 2006, Tim & Greg Bell sold Bell Vault & Monument Works to Holly Baxter Bridgers, Darren Baxter, and Trevor Baxter. These three siblings grew up in the industry themselves. In addition, Holly, Darren, and Trevor also own Baxter Burial Vault Service, a burial vault company and crematory operating in the St. Bernard area of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was started by their grandfather in 1924 near historic Spring Grove cemetery and was later run by their father.
Bell Vault & Monument still maintains all employees who previously worked for the company, including some who have been there for more than 25 years.
Contact us to learn more about Wilbert funeral services or to request a schedule of the upcoming continuing education classes for funeral professionals.Ultimate Service Provider
Areas Served
Bell Vault and Monument has been providing monuments for the greater Dayton, Ohio area since 1928 and we take great pride in our heritage. We have a long history of assisting our families in a respectful and compassionate manner to help them memorialize their loved ones.
In addition, Bell Vault and Monument offers burial vaults and creamation urn products to 9 counties in Ohio: Darke, Champaign, Clinton, Clark, Green, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren.
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The Wilbert Foundation
Supportor of the Pediatric Chaplains Network
The Wilbert Foundation supports the Pediatric Chaplains Network -- a non-profit organization comprised of pediatric chaplains across the US and Canada that specializes in the care of children. Through the Pediatric Chaplains Institute, the Foundation sponsors grief training for professional chaplains hired into pediatric settings.
The primary goal of the institute is to equip chaplains with important resources to enhance their clinical skills and provide quality spiritual care to children and their families in hospitals or other healthcare settings. Specifically, training addresses age-specific competencies, spiritual needs and assessment, and end-of-life issues including bereavement support.
Why?
At times of terrible stress and grief in hospitals, Chaplains are a key line of support with children, siblings, families, and even the nurses and doctors. Chaplains make an immediate, vital impact in hospitals day-in and day-out, but their programs are often under-funded. The Wilbert Foundation is honored to support the efforts of these caring Pediatric Chaplains.
First Responders
When a hero falls, Wilbert is there.
Our “Commemorating First Responders” program provides families of firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel who have died in the line of duty with a tribute worthy of their valor and sacrifice.
At no charge to the family, Wilbert and our licensees donate a customized Wilbert Stainless Steel Triune® burial vault. If the choice is cremation, we offer a selection of four urns, as well as a Stainless Steel Triune urn vault for memorial tribute. If permitted, a WilbertWay® graveside service may also be included.
Join us as we help families honor heroic lives, sacrificed in valiant service to neighbor and community.
Contact your local funeral professional for more information.
Ultimate Service Provider
There are four service levels: Minimum Service, Basic Service, Premium Service, and Ultimate Service Provider. To be classified as an Ultimate Service Provider, one must receive at least 75 points out of 88 points; a higher score is attainable when bonus points are earned for exceptional achievements. Points are collected by category, including tents, chairs, greens, Wilbert Way, lowering device, vaults, employees, and trucks and delivery. Bell Vault and Monument surpassed the 75 points needed to obtain Ultimate Service Provider. Although we are proud of this accomplishment internally, it pleases us most that local families are the recipients of this service.
