Full History

Founded in 1895 by J.A. Coning, Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service is believed to be the first funeral home built in Faribault County. Beginning as a combination funeral home and furniture store, its first location was on Main Street in Blue Earth, where the dance studio is now located. Mr. Coning retired in 1928, and the two businesses continued to be operated by his son, Wayne Coning.

In 1936, the funeral home was sold to Mr. James Cook. A second funeral home was opened in the mid-1920s at the J. Kamrar residence in Blue Earth, which was owned and operated by Mrs. Minnie Burke.

The Kamrar location was sold in 1946 to Mr. Alfred L. Forsman, and in 1948, Mr. Forsman expanded the funeral home by adding a chapel to the existing structure.

John M. Patton purchased the funeral home on Main Street from Mr. Cook in 1963. Mr. Patton and Mr. Forsman later partnered to begin the Forsman-Patton Funeral Home, operating out of both chapels until 1969. An expansion and renovation project was completed in order to double the square footage of the West 6th Street location, allowing the funeral home to accommodate the growing community.

After Mr. Forsman retired, John Patton solely owned and operated the Patton Funeral Home.

In 1984, in an effort to serve the many families in surrounding communities, Mr. Patton purchased the Wicks Funeral Home in Elmore from Tom Wicks, and the funeral home name was changed to Forsman-Patton-Wicks Funeral Home.

 In 1999, Tom Vertin, a third generation Minnesota funeral director, purchased the funeral service, and Bob Kennedy, licensed director, later purchased ownership interest. While working together, they continued the commitment to superior service. Bob Kennedy passed away in June of2016. The staff at Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service are proud to be part of a long history of compassionate funeral care in the Blue Earth area and surrounding communities.