Casterline Funeral Home History
Our History
In 1937 Ray J. Casterline broke away from working with his cousin at a storefront funeral establishment and furniture store to begin his own journey as a licensed funeral director at 122 West Dunlap Street in downtown Northville. A Victorian home served the community as the first funeral parlor in Northville. The home next door was the residence to the Casterline family, with the garage between housing the ambulance service until the late 1960’s. In 1949 Ray’s son Fred A. Casterline, who married Emily Saner, became a licensed funeral director. Freddy, as many called him, was very well liked by the Northville community; and you could always find his wife Emily greeting people at the door of the funeral home. Their son Ray J. Casterline II began working with his father at an early age, and became a licensed funeral director in 1970. He was united in marriage to Roxanne Atchison on August 10, 1968, daughter of the local doctor, Dr. Russell M. Atchison, whom many in the community adored.
In 1980 Fred and Emily retired and moved to Florida leaving the funeral home to their only son Ray, known to many as “Butch”. Because Ray and Roxanne had four girls; Courtney, Kelly, Lindsey, and Whitney, they wondered who would be the fourth generation funeral director. In 1997 Courtney Casterline-Ross and Lindsey Casterline-Dogonski both made the decision to join the family business. Courtney attended Wayne State University College of Mortuary Science from 1997-1998. She passed her state and national board examinations to become a licensed funeral director in 1999. Lindsey attended Wayne State University College of Mortuary Science from 1999-2000. She passed her state and national board examinations to become a licensed funeral director in 2000.
The Casterline Family has been serving the community successfully for four generations. The family continuously supports Northville through their vast community involvement. They are members of the Northville Chamber of Commerce, Northville Rotary and the Northville Central Business Association. This involvement helps them assess the communities needs, and therefore they are better able to serve families.
In March of 2004 Ray J. Casterline II died unexpectedly, leaving his daughters and wife to continue the family’s tradition of excellent service. They are committed to providing the same compassionate care that Ray had always provided, and look forward to serving the community well into the future.