Heritage

The Moll Furniture and Undertaking Company of Mascoutah was formed in September 1910, when Albert D. Moll acquired the business and became the sole owner.  His two sons, Ado L. A. Moll and Emmett G. L. Moll,  joined their father on January 1, 1921 and formed a co-partnership.  The business was established in 1852 (in the present building) by the Dathan family, who operated it for many years.  The current owners, Robert U. Moll and Steven T. Moll, are the fourth generation of funeral directors.  The funeral profession has changed over the past century, but the Moll family’s commitment to caring and support for the families they serve has remained the most important focus of the business, as it did in 1910.

	Albert D. Moll, , born on Aug. 16, 1870, in Mascoutah, IL, was educated in the public schools.  He was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Zinck in 1892.  They had three children, Ado L. A. Moll, Frances Moll, and Emmett G. L. Moll.  He began his working career on the farm, first, under his father’s direction, and afterwards, from 1898 to 1910, as manager of his dairy farm.  After going into business, he continued to direct the management of his land.  He learned the art of embalming in St. Louis, and received his diploma in 1909.  He was considered a skillful embalmer, and a very pleasant and courteous businessman.  Albert acted as manager of the company, as well as secretary and treasurer, until his death on Nov. 5, 1924.
	Emmett G. L. Moll was born June 9, 1898, in Mascoutah, received an education in the parochial and high school and graduated from the Worsham School of Embalming in 1920.    Emmett, along with his mother, Josephine, and brother, Ado, ran the business from 1924 to 1944.   Emmett purchased his brother’s interest in the business in 1940, and when his mother died, he acquired the remaining shares of the business.  He was sole owner from 1944 to 1968.  He married, on Oct. 1, 1924, Bertha G. Middendorf, and they had 6 children, Daniel, Lawrence, Gertrude, Ann, Margaret, and Thomas.  After his 1st wife’s death, he married Josephine D. (Lenzini) Middendorf on Aug. 11, 1947, and she had a son George.  Emmett was also skilled in the art of embalming and like his father, was a pleasant and courteous businessman.  Emmett died on May 30, 1989.
	Daniel H. Moll, Emmett’s oldest son, was born July 7, 1925.  He was associated in the firm in 1940.  Daniel received his funeral director and embalmer’s license in 1946, after graduating from the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science.  He served during WW II in the Army Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant after graduating as a cadet from Maxwell Field, Alabama.  Daniel was a pilot and flew the C-46 and C-47.  He married Helen I. Koch on July 3, 1945 and they had eight children, David, Dianne, Michael, Robert, James, Daniel J., Steven, and Michelle.  Daniel was involved in many of the community organizations and activities through the years and was an avid pilot.  He died on May 12, 1985.
	Robert U. Moll was born July 16, 1952.  He attended the parochial school and high school in Mascoutah, and graduated from SIU Mortuary Science Program in Carbondale in 1972.  After serving his apprenticeship in funeral service, he received his funeral director and embalming license in 1973.  Robert started working for his grandfather, Emmett, as a young man and continued working for his father, Daniel, until his death in 1985.  After Daniel’s death, Robert purchased the business as a sole proprietorship and continued it until his brother joined the business.  Robert married Debra A. Oppermann on Feb. 19, 1977 and they have 2 children, Chad and Tiffany.  Robert is also active in community organizations and activities and continues to do so.
	Steven T. Moll was born December 2, 1962.  He attended the parochial school and high school in Mascoutah, and graduated from SIU Mortuary Science Program in Carbondale in 1985.  After serving his apprenticeship in funeral service, Steve received his funeral director and embalming license in 1986.  Steve worked in the business with his grandfather Emmett, his father, Daniel, before he joined with his brother, Robert.  In 1992, Robert and Steve became partners and formed a corporation now known as Moll Funeral Home, Ltd.  Steve married Lisa A. Guy on September 19, 1987 and they have two sets of twins, Westley, Kyle, Anthony and Gabrielle.