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Celebrating life

According to the oldest known entry in a Journal we have, the Worthington family owned and operated a furniture store that offered an undertaking service to the Brooklyn area. The Brooklyn location was originally started back in 1889 and was located at 141 North Main Street, Brooklyn, MI (the current location of Brooklyn Bridal & Prom, Charlotte’s Web, Bhakti Yoga, and Eagle Docs). On, October 1, 1975, the Worthington Funeral Home was sold to Dick and Ed Braun who were the current owners of a Funeral Home in Adrian, Michigan. In 1978, the Braun’s built a new facility for Brooklyn and moved the business to the funeral home’s current location at 137 South Main Street, Brooklyn, MI. Dick and Ed owned and operated Braun Bros. Funeral Home Inc. until 1986 when Ed sold his interest in the Funeral Homes to his brother, Dick.

What we stand for

Our promise

Today, tomorrow, and forever, our commitment to you stays the same.

Dignity

Every life is unique, and we promise to honor and respect each journey, crafting ceremonies that reflect each individual.

Guidance

Navigating grief can be overwhelming; we stand by you, providing direction and solace every step of the way.

Legacy

Beyond a service, we're committed to helping families create lasting tributes that transcend generations.

Our story

According to the oldest known entry in a Journal we have, the Worthington family owned and operated a furniture store that offered an undertaking service to the Brooklyn area. The Brooklyn location was originally started back in 1889 and was located at 141 North Main Street, Brooklyn, MI (the current location of Brooklyn Bridal & Prom, Charlotte’s Web, Bhakti Yoga, and Eagle Docs). On, October 1, 1975, the Worthington Funeral Home was sold to Dick and Ed Braun who were the current owners of a Funeral Home in Adrian, Michigan. In 1978, the Braun’s built a new facility for Brooklyn and moved the business to the funeral home’s current location at 137 South Main Street, Brooklyn, MI. Dick and Ed owned and operated Braun Bros. Funeral Home Inc. until 1986 when Ed sold his interest in the Funeral Homes to his brother, Dick.

In January of 1990, Martin Braun, the son of Dick Braun, purchased Jenter Funeral Home in Manchester, MI. Jenter Funeral Home was owned by Ronald Jenter. Ronald Jenter was a third generation funeral home owner and director. The Jenter family started their undertaking service through a store front furniture, cabinet and undertaking business dating back to 1864. Jenter Funeral Home was established by Ernest Jenter in 1886 and was located at 302 East Main Street, Manchester, Michigan.

 On April 1, 1992, after Martin had acquired the Manchester chapel, Dick divided Braun Bros Funeral Homes and sold the Adrian and Brooklyn locations to his two sons, Keith and Martin Braun. As third generation funeral home owners and directors, Keith owned and operated the Adrian location until 1997, and Martin owned and operated the Brooklyn location. Martin’s businesses were established as Jenter–Braun Funeral Home of Manchester, MI and M.G. Braun Funeral Home of Brooklyn, MI. 

In 1999, Martin began to step toward retirement. Borek Jennings Funeral Homes, owned by Todd Borek and Karl Jennings, purchased the Brooklyn and Manchester funeral homes. In the summer of 2014, the American Legion Facility known as Kern Hall was remodeled into the Manchester Funeral Home’s new spacious ground level location at 207 East Duncan Street, Manchester, MI.  

Jeff Eineder Jr. came on staff with Borek Jennings Funeral Homes on September 17, 2013. Jeff is a first-generation funeral director and has been in this profession since August of 2007. While Jeff was managing the Howell chapel of Borek Jennings Funeral Homes, Todd and Karl approached Jeff and his wife, Kristin, and asked if they would be willing to move back home. Jeff and Kristin were grateful for the opportunity. In 2017, they relocated to the Village of Brooklyn, and Jeff assumed management of the Brooklyn and Manchester chapels. On April 1, 2020, Jeff and Kristin Eineder purchased the Brooklyn and Manchester chapels, making them the fourth Family to own and operate these historic businesses.

34K+

Legacies Honored

138

Years in Business

∞

Moments Remembered

1889

The Worthington family owned and operated a furniture store offering undertaking services in Brooklyn, MI.

Located at 141 North Main Street (now Brooklyn Bridal & Prom, Charlotte’s Web, Bhakti Yoga, and Eagle Docs).

1975

October 1: Worthington Funeral Home sold to Dick and Ed Braun, owners of a Funeral Home in Adrian, Michigan.

1978

The Braun brothers built a new facility for the Brooklyn location and moved the business to 137 South Main Street, Brooklyn, MI.

1986

Ed Braun sold his interest in the funeral homes to his brother, Dick Braun.

1990

January: Martin Braun, son of Dick Braun, purchased Jenter Funeral Home in Manchester, MI, originally established in 1886.

1992

April 1: Dick Braun divided Braun Bros Funeral Homes, selling the Adrian location to Keith Braun and the Brooklyn location to Martin Braun.

1997

Keith Braun owned and operated the Adrian location until this year

1999

Martin Braun began to step toward retirement, selling the Brooklyn and Manchester funeral homes to Borek Jennings Funeral Homes.

2013

September 17: Jeff Eineder Jr. joined Borek Jennings Funeral Homes, managing the Howell chapel.

2014

Summer: The American Legion Facility, Kern Hall, was remodeled into the new Manchester Funeral Home at 207 East Duncan Street, Manchester, MI.

2017

Jeff Eineder Jr. and his wife, Kristin, relocated to the Village of Brooklyn. Jeff assumed management of the Brooklyn and Manchester chapels.

2020

April 1: Jeff and Kristin Eineder purchased the Brooklyn and Manchester chapels, becoming the fourth family to own and operate these historic businesses.

Jeffrey L. Eineder Jr. is the son of Jeffrey & Tonyia (Poe-Lowe) Eineder of Grass Lake. He attended Napoleon Community Schools from pre-school all the way to his graduation day in June of 2007. Jeff was active during his high school career. He participated in school athletics and band. He was also a member of the Lions of Michigan All-State Band which gave him the opportunity to represent the Lions Clubs of Michigan as well as to travel to Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, Philadelphia and Chicago. Upon his return from one of the band trips in 2006, Jeff and his lifelong friend, Daniel Eads, laid the groundwork and launched a movement to start a youth Lions Club in Napoleon. The Napoleon Leo Club was formally chartered in January of 2007. The club is still serving the Napoleon Community alongside it’s sponsor, The Napoleon Lions Club.  During his time in the Lions Club, Jeff was an advisor to the Napoleon Leo Club and was appointed to the 11-B1 District Leo Club Chairperson to the Lions of Michigan State Office.

Following his graduation from Napoleon High School, Jeff attended Schoolcraft College to complete pre-mortuary science classes. While attending school, he worked part-time for Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home in Michigan Center and worked full-time at Blue Beacon International in Dexter as a Bay-Shift Supervisor. In August 2011, after completing the necessary classes, Jeff transferred to Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL. While attending Worsham College, he lived and worked at Ryan–Parke Funeral Home in Park Ridge, IL. He graduated amongst the best in his class in 2012. After graduation, Jeff returned home to Michigan. He passed both Art and Science Board Exams and accepted an Apprentice Directors position with Dutcher Funeral Homes in Coldwater and Bronson, MI.

On September 2, 2012, Jeff married Kristin E. Richardson, daughter of David and Susan (Wyman) Richardson of Napoleon. Kristin attended elementary at Napoleon community schools and transferred to Jackson Christian when she was in eighth grade. She graduated Valedictorian from Jackson Christian High School in 2004. In high school, she was involved in sports, Bible quizzing and the youth group of Heart O’ the Lakes United Brethren Church of Brooklyn. Kristin went to Indiana Wesleyan University and graduated in 2008 with a General Studies degree focused in philosophy, religion and education. Upon graduating, she started a career at Flagstar Bank. After six years with the bank and after the birth of their first son in 2014, she chose to stay home to raise their family.

In September of 2013, Jeff had completed his apprenticeship, and Jeff and Kristin moved back to the Napoleon area.  After a few months as an employee of Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Jeff became the Managing Director of Borek Jennings Funeral Home: Lamb Chapel in Howell. Jeff and Kristin spent four years serving in the Howell community. Jeff was a very active member of Business Network International (BNI) in Howell, Howell Rotary Club, Leadership Livingston, as well as the Advisory Board to The Willows of Howell. Jeff and Kristin were both active members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Howell.

In April of 2017, Borek and Jennings asked Jeff and Kristin if they wanted to move back home. They willingly accepted the offer and have been grateful to be back in the area surround by so many family and friends. Jeff has been the Managing Director for the Brooklyn and Manchester chapels since June of 2017.  Jeff and Kristin have been warmly welcomed by the Brooklyn and Manchester Communities.  They have five children, Liam, Everett, Evelynn, Gabriel (d. Jan. 2019) and Christianna; as well as a floppy eared cocker spaniel, Blitzen.  The Eineder family attends St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Clarklake, St. Joseph’s Shrine in the Irish Hills, St. Mary’s in Manchester, The Pious Union of St. Joseph in Grass Lake and Our Lady of Fatima in Michigan Center.  Jeff is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Jeff and Kristin are looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the community as the new owners of the Brooklyn and Manchester Funeral Homes. 

The Michigan Center Chapel History

The Eineders are proud to be the fourth family to own and operate the Michigan Center Funeral Home as well as proud to continue the tradition of the Owners being Napoleon Schools Alumni.

The Eineders are proud to be the fourth family to own and operate the Michigan Center Funeral Home. The Eineders are also proud to continue the tradition of the owners being Napoleon High School Alumni.  

The first owner, Richard W. Nichols, a 1942 graduate of Napoleon High School, joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably during WWII. In 1959, Richard “Dick” and Phoebe Nichols purchased an old farm house located at 820 Fifth Street in Michigan Center. With some renovations to the farm house, Dick and Phoebe raised their new family in the upstairs apartment and opened their newly founded funeral home and ambulance service to the public. They began serving Michigan Center and the surrounding communities. 

Nearly 20 years after opening, in 1979, Robert “Bob” Arthur, a 1973 “Gold Medal Class” Napoleon High School Graduate, joined Dick and Phoebe and created a new partnership well known in the community as Nichols - Arthur Funeral Home. Nichols- Arthur Funeral Home served the community for 36 years.

Later, Jeff Day, a 1981 graduate of Napoleon High School, joined the staff in 1987. In 1991, he became a licensed funeral director in the state of Michigan and furthered his career at Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home.

During their partnership, Dick and Bob began to establish a relationship with Jeff Sr. and Tonyia Eineder. The relationship began when the young couple suffered the loss of their first born, one-month old daughter, Jessica Lynn Marie Eineder in June of 1988. Dick and Bob continued to counsel Jeff Sr. and Tonyia and were among the first to know about the couples’ second pregnancy. Nine months later, Jeffrey Eineder Jr. was born. 

Having these family friendships, in late 2006, Jeff Eineder Jr. approached Dick, Bob, and Jeff to inquire about a job shadowing opportunity with the firm.  In 2007, Jeff Eineder Jr. began assisting with funerals, visitations, and minor jobs around the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home. Jeff Eineder Jr., a 2007 graduate of Napoleon High School, remained on staff until 2011 when he left to attend graduate school at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. Jeff graduated from Mortuary School in 2012.   

After 72 Years of marriage, and 54 years of working in and around the funeral home, Phoebe Nichols died on May 13, 2013, at the age of 88. After the death of his wife, Dick retired in 2015 at the age of 91. Dick died on January 2, 2020 at the age of 95. 

Bob continued to operate as Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home until February of 2016 when he gifted a minority partnership and a share in the business to Jeff Day forming the new entity, Arthur-Day Funeral Home. 

In late 2017, Bob began the renovation of Arthur-Day Funeral Home. The undertaking included adding a large addition, making the funeral home handicap accessible, providing larger restrooms, creating a more open gathering space, and expanding the parking lot. 

As Bob started looking toward retirement, both Bob and Jeff Day contemplated multiple different avenues. They considered Jeff Day taking over as sole proprietor, an Indiana firm purchasing the funeral home, or a national corporation purchasing the funeral home. In light of Jeff Day not having any interest in taking over the business and Bob not having interest in turning the business over to a corporation, Bob and Jeff approached Jeff Eineder Jr. and his wife Kristin (Richardson) Eineder about purchasing the funeral home in April of 2022. In November of 2022, the Eineders purchased Arthur-Day Funeral Home and opened Eineder Funeral Homes in Michigan Center. 

Although Jeff and Kristin were eager to begin a business relationship with Jeff Day, he decided he did not want to be a full time funeral director shortly after Eineder Funeral Homes opened in Michigan Center. Jeff Day decided he wanted to fully retire in October of 2023.

Jeff and Kristin posted a job opportunity on the funeral home website and were overjoyed when Chris Hawkins applied for the funeral director position. Chris Hawkins, grandson-in-law of Dick and Phoebe Nichols, became a funeral director for Eineder Funeral Homes in April of 2024.

In 2024, Jeff and Kristin also started additional facility improvements and renovations. The facility now has a kid oriented room and a cafe for families to gather. Effort was also placed into creating a warm and welcoming space for families to call their own with new furnishings and a fireplace. Additional improvements to the outside appearance will continue in 2026.

Jeff, Kristin, and Chris are excited to have the continued opportunity to serve the families of Michigan Center and its surrounding communities.

Meet the team

Our incredible staff

Helping families create lasting legacies is more than a job — it's our calling. We are here to support you in any way we can and will offer you the full attention, knowledge, and compassion you need.

Jeff Eineder Jr.

Jeff Eineder Jr.

Owner & Brooklyn Chapel Manager

Kristin Eineder

Kristin Eineder

Owner/ Interior Decorator

Chris Hawkins

Chris Hawkins

Funeral Director - Michigan Center Chapel Manager

Bob Arthur

Bob Arthur

Funeral Director Emeritus

Melanie Wolfe

Melanie Wolfe

Manchester Chapel Manager

Chris Merz

Chris Merz

Advance Funeral Planner

Julia Spiegel

Julia Spiegel

Administrator/Notary Public

Valerie Prettenhofer

Valerie Prettenhofer

Administrator/ Notary Public

Christina Pellican

Christina Pellican

Administrator

Kim Francies

Kim Francies

Administrator

Craig Reppert

Craig Reppert

Support Staff

Sandy Secila

Sandy Secila

Support Staff

Jeff Eineder Sr.

Jeff Eineder Sr.

Support Staff

Deb Spicer - Benedict

Deb Spicer - Benedict

Support Staff

Mark Maybee

Mark Maybee

Support Staff

Dave Horner

Dave Horner

Support Staff

Mike "Coach" Crabb

Mike "Coach" Crabb

Support Staff

Mike Wright

Mike Wright

Support Staff

Debbie Berling

Debbie Berling

Support Staff

Clarice Woodward

Clarice Woodward

Support Staff

Jay Niles

Jay Niles

Support Staff

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A place of healing

We welcome you to explore the Eineder Funeral Homes facilities, and invite you to discover a comforting and peaceful place to honor your loved one.

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A time to honor, comfort and heal

We help create unique and meaningful memorial services to celebrate your loved one and begin the healing process for families and friends left behind.

We’ll take care of every detail

We'll help you with everything you need with a simple step-by-step process for all of your funeral, cremation and cemetery plans.

Unique Funerals and Tributes

Every individual is unique. Which is why we offer fully customizable memorial services designed just for your family.

Compassionate customer care

We're here to answer any questions and help in any way we can – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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Past memorials

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