About Us
Recent Obituaries
History & Staff
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.
Bringman Clark & Shields History
CLARK SHIELDS FUNERAL HOME It was established in 1935 by Joseph W. and Frances H. Shields. The firm was located in two Forest homes before moving to the present location at 301 S.Patterson Street. During the early years of 1935 through 1945, visitation to the bereaved was conducted in the home of the deceased, with the casket placed in the front parlour. The casket was moved to the church on the day of the funeral service.
To meet the need for a larger facility where family and friends might gather, Joseph purchased the Lizabeth H. Dickelman home on Patterson St. in 1947. Shields Funeral Home was one of the first area funeral homes to introduce the use of memorial folders as a remembrance of the deceased. The firm also provided ambulance service to the area until 1974. William H. Shields joined the business as an Embalmer/Funeral Director in 1968 and assumed control in 1984. Shields Funeral Home continues to build on a tradition of service, caring and dignity.
In 1999, Shields Funeral Home was the first area Funeral Home to offer online obituaries and online condolences through their web-site.
The William M. Clark family purchased Shields Funeral Home in 2006. The generations of tradition and excellence hold strong with the Clark Family as well. The funeral home was then adapted to CLARK SHIELDS FUNERAL HOME to represent the long standing traditions of both families.
BRINGMAN CLARK & CO FUNERAL HOME
A.M. Bringman Undertaking and Furniture Business was established in October of 1908 by Arthur M. Bringman and early partner, Clinger as an undertaking and furniture business. The establishment started in the building presently known as Suzie's Pizza on South Sandusky Avenue. Bringman moved locations and joined with Mr. Stoneburner in the building that MJ Mugsy's currently stands.
Thinking the undertaking business was a more congenial way of life, Arthur Bringman and his son Charles formed the Bringman & Co Undertaking Service located at the west end of the current First Citizens National Bank loan department. In 1929, Charles W. Bringman purchased the large stately home built in 1850 at East Wyandot Avenue from Attorney Howard Newell where the funeral home sits today. BRINGMAN & CO FUNERAL HOME was then established as a family owned and operated funeral business. The stone lion in the yard dates back to when Newell owed the house and serves as a landmark for the community representing strength, nobility, and courage in all endeavors.Charles Bringman was joined his sons, Wallace P. and Joseph A. in 1935. In addition to the funeral services, the Bringman brothers, with the help of many local residents, served the community with a 24 hour ambulance service until 1974 when the Wyandot County EMS was established.In 1973, William M. Clark, or as he likes to be called "Bill" joined his father-in-law, Joseph A. Bringman in operating and managing the funeral home as a licensed Embalmer/Funeral Director. His wife, Pamela J. (Bringman) Clark, joined the team as a fourth generation licensed funeral director in 1986 with a prior internship at the establishment. Pamela was the first female funeral director in Wyandot County. Aaron W. Clark joined his parents, Bill and Pam Clark, in 2000 after completing his education at the Cincinatti College of Mortuary Science as a Licensed Embalmer/ Funeral Director. His sister, Ann M. Leightey, joined the business in 2007 as a Licensed Funeral Director, making her the second female funeral director in Wyandot County, her mother being the first. Together Aaron and Ann make the establishment a fifth generation family owned and operated business. In 2006, the Shields Funeral Home was purchased to continue serving families with a commitment to excellence.
BRINGMAN CLARK & CO FUNERAL HOME is currently operated by descendants of the Bringman and Clark Families. Bill and Pam, along with their children Aaron and Ann work together to provide integrity and personal concern for all families that it serves.
Our Valued Staff
William M. Clark, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Bill, as he prefers to be called, grew up on a small farm in Salem Township, near Upper Sandusky. He is the son of the late Joseph and Lena (Bell) Clark. He is 1970 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School. Bill did his undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University and was a summa cum laude honor graduate from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he was also a recipient of the Mu Sigma Alpha honor award.Bill is married to the former Pamela J. Bringman and has two children, Aaron (Anne) Clark and Ann (Todd) Leightey, and three grandchildren, Ashton, Will, and Reese. Bill and his family attend the Transfiguration of the Lord Church in Upper Sandusky. Bill holds memberships in the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Wyandot County Rod & Gun Club, American Legion, Has served as the exalted ruler of the Elks, Masonic Warpole Lodge #176, chairman of the St. Peters Cemetery, Upper Sandusky Chamber of Commerce, Wyandot County Health Foundation trustee.
Aaron Clark, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Aaron graduated in 1994 from Upper Sandusky High School and in 1999 he graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He graduated in 2000 from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Aaron is a member of Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Parish and the Elks. Aaron resides in Upper Sandusky with his wife Dr. Annie Clark and their son Ashton.
Ann Clark Leightey, Funeral Director
Ann Leightey is a 1999 graduate of Upper Sandusky and a 2003 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Early Childhood Development. Ann joins her parents Bill & Pam Clark of Bringman-Clark Funeral Home to carry on the tradition of funeral service that was started 100 years ago. She also is joining her brother Aaron Clark combining to make Bringman-Clark Funeral Home a 5th generation family owned and operated funeral home, the oldest funeral home establishment in Wyandot County. They also operate the Clark Shields Funeral Home in Forest. She is the only female funeral director in Wyandot County with the educational background that will bring a new level of grief understanding and support to the young people of the community. She will help with the daily operation of the funeral homes pre-need and after care programs. She is a member of the Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church. Ann is an Ambassador for the Upper Sandusky Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Upper Sandusky Rotary Club . She resides in Upper Sandusky with her husband Todd, son Will and daughter Reese.
Pam Bringman Clark, Funeral Director
Pamela J. (Bringman) Clark was born to Joseph A. and Bernadine M. Bringman. Pam is a 1970 graduate from Upper Sandusky High School and a 1973 graduate of Terra Technical College in the field of Secretarial Studies. Pam is married to Bill Clark, and has two children Aaron (Anne) Clark and Ann (Todd) Leightey, and three grandchildren, Ashton, Will, and Reese. She is a member of the Transfiguration of the Lord Church, Usando Beta Chapter and DAR- Col. William Crawford Chapter. She has been involved in the Citizen of the Year Committee and the Election Board. In 1984, she registered with the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors of Ohio to become a licenced funeral director in the state. She currently assists with the daily operations of the firm. Pam is part of the fourth generation of Bringmans' to add to the tradition.
William H. Shields, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Second Generation of the Shields Family to join Shields Funeral Home.
Joseph W. Shields, 1913 - 2008
Founder Of Shields Funeral Home
Ed Kauble, Assistant Funeral Director
Jim Gatchell, Assistant Funeral Director
Tom Martin, Assistant Funeral Director
Tom Young, Assistant Funeral Director
Arthur M. Bringman, 1859-1927
Arthur co-founded Bringman & Co. Funeral Home along with his son Charles W. Bringman in 1909.
Charles W. Bringman, 1887-1965
Charles co-founded Bringman & Co. Funeral Home in 1909 along with his father, Arthur M. Bringman. Charles was the second generation of the Bringman family to carry on the tradition of excellence. In 1935, Charles was joined by his sons, Wallace P. and Joseph A. Bringman.
Wallace P. Bringman, 1912-1966
Wallace P. joined the family business in 1935 along with his brother Joseph A. Bringman. This addition to the tradition of excellence continues making him the third generation of the Bringman Family to join Bringman & Co. Funeral Home.
Joseph A. Bringman
Joseph A. Bringman joined Bringman & Co. in 1935. Joseph and his brother Wallace comprised the third generation of the Bringman Family to join the company. Joseph was very involved in the community serving on city council, 25 years as a fireman, member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks and Rotary. He was a World War II Navy veteran and a member of the American Legion and VFW. Joseph and Wife, Bernadine, had two daughters, Barbara Eden and Pamela Clark.
