In 1949 Franklin and Emily Forsythe moved to Manhattan to a large two-story home on Eastern Avenue. It was there that they began to operate a funeral home on the lower level, while the family quarters were upstairs. In conjunction with the Funeral Business and along with Emily's nursing degree, they operated an ambulance service for the greater Manhattan area. This served the needs of the Manhattan community until 1962, when a modern and more spacious chapel was built on adjoining property.

Of the Forsythe's five sons, it was Patrick who showed an early interest in the family business. Pat attended mortuary school and then went on to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1974. He then worked side by side with his father, Franklin, for many years.
 
In 1990 Patrick and Dorothy Forsythe became owners of the family business, Franklin became semi-retired, though still continuing to work with Patrick and maintaining his role as the cemetery sexton for St. Joseph Cemetery.

As the community grew, the family realized that more ample parlors were needed, as well as a larger parking area. In 2001 plans were drawn for the present facility and early in 2002 construction began of the present funeral home. By the end of 2002 the work on the new funeral home was completed, and the Manhattan area was blessed with a large, modern, dignified facility to serve the needs of a community in times of grief.

Due to an increase in business and a desire to provide the community with the utmost, professional care. Jacqueline A. Anderson-Gould, an Illinois licensed funeral director and embalmer, was added to the staff in October 2003. Jackie is married to Brett Gould of Joliet where they reside with their three sons.