History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our History

Our History

It was December of 1999 when Travis Funeral Service was born. God showed his favor, I was able to purchase a station wagon from the Lowen Group that I used to drive while employed there. I worked tirelessly day and night making removals for other funeral homes until we got our first funeral on Easter Sunday in 2000. We did not even have a place to have this funeral, so I called Bruce Taylor who had just opened Precious Memories Funeral Home and asked if I could use his place. He agreed. I stayed there and we helped each other as our businesses grew.

Despite the successes we shared, I still wanted a funeral home of my own. God again showed favor upon us, and we began to purchase funeral home furniture from Fitzpatrick’s and we didn’t even have a funeral home! In 2005, God’s favor showed up again and Rhonda and I were able to purchase a funeral home (from the Lowen Group) and Travis Funeral Home, LLC became a dream realized. Glory to God!

It is the mission of the Travis family and the Travis Funeral Home staff to serve the families who come through our doors with honesty and compassion. We endeavor to provide the highest level of personal service exceeding the expectations of the families we serve. We promise to treat your deceased loved one with respect and dignity in tribute and memory of one whom you love. We strive to create an atmosphere where you can feel comfortable gathering your family and friends to share your sorrow and find a measure of warmth and sympathy.

We pray that we fulfill our God-given mandate to "Comfort God's People Through Service" with every family that we are called upon to serve.

John with Coach Carter
John with Dr. Cornell West
John with Ms. Patti LaBelle
John with Mr. Harry Belfonte
John and his pastor, Dr. Michael L. Pfleger

Our Valued Staff

  • John Travis

    John Travis CFSP, Director

    Travis Funeral Home began as a dream of mine when I attended my aunt’s funeral when I was eight years old, in a small town in Indiana where there was only one African-American Funeral Director, Mr. Paul Patterson. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. I noticed how the people respected him and his work. I decided that I wanted to be a funeral director also. I went on to high School at DeLaSalle Institute in Chicago, Illinois, where I met a classmate who also wanted to become a funeral director. We became roommates when we enrolled at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. After completing an apprenticeship with the A.A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home, I received my license as a funeral director and embalmer in 1985. In 1991 I went to work for the Gatling’s Chapel. I stayed there until 1998 when I was offered a position with the Lowen Group as the only African American Funeral Director in the Chicago market. When I was given the opportunity to start a business of my own, I did just that. Travis Funeral Service started in 1999, and in 2005 God’s favor showed up again and Rhonda and I were able to purchase a funeral home (from the Lowen Group) and Travis Funeral Home, LLC became a dream realized. Glory to God!

  • Rhonda Travis

    Rhonda Travis Assistant to the Director

  • Rochelle Speller

    Rochelle Speller Assistant to the Director

  • William Pearson

    William Pearson Transportation Manager