About Us

Today, the Coal City funeral home is overseen by Matt Baskerville, who is privileged to carry on the fourth generation of long time honored tradition, trust and service excellence that the Reeves family has established. 

Annually since 2007, Matt Baskerville and Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd has been a recipient of the National Funeral Directors Association Pursuit of Excellence Eagle Award. This award is the highest commendation in funeral service, and has placed us one of only five funeral homes in the state of Illinois, and among the top two percent of funeral homes nationwide.

Matt is assisted by a family of staff who are all loyal and dedicated to the many we are privileged to serve. Funeral Directors and embalmers: Alex Nolan, CPC, CCO and Robert Enright, along with our Family Care Coordinators: Scott Kuriger and Jill Niewinski work with Matt in serving families one on one. Our executive and personal assistant Sheila Allen, serves as a a tremendous support to families calling our funeral homes, as does Violette Baskerville who in addition to being the handler of our Grief Companion Therapy Dog Katie, is also designated as a Certified Prearrangement Consultant and Certified Funeral Celebrant. Our funeral assistants and visitation attendants: Robin Cirrencione, John Hollmeyer, Sandi Dransfeldt, Jan Hibler, Kay Attaway, Mary Rossio, Mary Lou Robertson, Karen Guest, Barbara Osborn, Christine Warriner, Annette Tyler, Matt Niewinski, Jan Issert, Valerie Carter and Dr. Craig Eckert are the individuals whom make certain that you are not only welcomed at the front doors of our funeral homes, but remain available to attend to all the needs of the family and guests during visitations and services. Scott Kuriger, Raymond Baskerville and Joe Fonck also assist to ensure that our grounds, facilities and vehicles are meticulously maintained. We are truly blessed to have a group of such genuinely caring and supportive individuals. Our work together is what compiles the nationally recognized level of service that our communities have become accustomed. 

Wilfred and Anna's son James opened a Morris Branch in 1957. This location continues to operate at 408 East Washington Street in Morris. James and his wife Sylvia had three children: Lorna, Elaine and Leo. After the death of James in 1989 and Sylvia in 2000, Leo and his wife Karen continued on with the operations of both the Coal City and Morris funeral homes. Matt has been honored to carry on the legacy, which the Reeves family built over eight decades, serving Morris and the surrounding area.

In February of 2007 Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. of Coal City and Morris acquired the former Gardner Funeral Home.

The late 1800's structure located in downtown Gardner underwent a complete renovation and remodeling. In December of 2007, the funeral home reopened, and has since been providing unparalleled service to families of Gardner and the surrounding areas.

In 2023 this facility also became the home of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes new onsite Transitions Crematory, which will service all of our locations. This addition to our service offerings gives the families we are privileged to serve an extra level of comfort knowing that the cremation will be performed in one of our own funeral homes establishments. 

We are honored to be a part of Gardner tradition for generations to come. 

For more information regarding Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Gardner or Transitions Crematory, please feel free to contact us at 815-237-2526.

In December of 2010, we were pleased to announce part of a new page in history with funeral service in the community. Freitag Funeral Home was acquired by Matthew Baskerville and Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. to honor the past, present and new future in funeral service throughout Wilmington and the surrounding communities. Matt is honored to provide an unparalleled level of service and create a new tradition for families whom he and the entire funeral home family are privileged to serve. Matt is the funeral service professional that the community knows, trusts, has counted on in the past, and can rely upon in the future.



For additional information regarding Baskerville Funeral Home and the services we offer, please feel free to stop by the funeral home or contact us at 815-476-2181.