Longtime funeral business changes ownership
Apr 27, 2018I think that ultimately everyone wants to own their own business someday,” said new owner Cody Bridgman. “I’ve been with Jolliffe for about 10 years, so when the opportunity came up, my family and I discussed it and thought it would be a good idea.”The sale was proposed a year ago, but it took until January to complete all the paperwork and acquire all the necessary licenses from the state.The funeral chapel business itself started in 1922 and has undergone a few ownership changes. It became Jolliffe Funeral Home when Dick Jolliffe purchased the business in 1962.When Dick retired in 1994, his son Jeff and Tom Parks, a longtime employee, took over the business.Parks had worked for Dick and Bill Jolliffe since 1972. After attending mortuary school in California, he returned in 1975 and has been with the company since then.“I’m getting close to retirement and decided it’s time to slow down,” Parks said. “When Cody expressed an interest, we decided to sell.”Over the years, Joliffe expanded to meet the needs of the community. About 20 years ago, they opened a funeral home in Bridgeport. In 1994, they purchased Jones Mortuary in Mitchell. And in about 2003, they added a crematorium in Scottsbluff as demand increased.“The name is the biggest and foremost change,” Bridgman said. “We still have all the same staff and all the same dedicated professional services. Tom Parks is staying on because he’s been a huge asset to us. I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done and I’m proud he’s still involved.”Bridgeman emphasized that all prices on prepaid services will be honored by the new owners.Some minor updates are also planned, from offering families a DVD recording of the service, to streaming the service live online for relatives unable to attend.While the Scottsbluff and Bridgeport sites will be Bridgman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, the name Jones Mortuary in Mitchell will stay the same.“We’re the only local family-owned funeral home in the valley,” Bridgman said. “We’re proud to d... (Scottsbluff Star Herald)
