Our Story

Our Story

McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio’s Willoughby location is rich in local history. The building was originally constructed in the 1840s as a stagecoach home where horses and their travelers would rest. In fact, the porch’s front entrance is flanked by the two original doors (since sealed shut) that lead to what had been the dining room.


James A. McMahon, who opened McMahon Funeral Home in 1920, was known for his love of Willoughby as well as his bass voice. He was born in Mentor in 1880 and his baptism was attended by the newly elected President James A. Garfield. As he grew, so did his passion for music and civic activity. His popular singing engagements and radio spots along with local business endeavors earned him the nickname “Mr. Willoughby.”


James’ son, Lawrence McMahon, eventually took over the funeral business and ran it until 1976, when Mike Coyne purchased the business. “Running a funeral home was my lifelong goal,” Mike says, adding that he is extremely happy and proud to be a part of such a trusted and successful business.

The Girl in Blue

For sixty years, the young lady who had been hit by a train near a boarding house in Willoughby was simply known as “The Girl in Blue.” No one knew who she was, where she was going or who to contact about her death on Christmas Eve 1933. She carried no identification, only 90 cents and a ticket to Corry, Pennsylvania. She wore a blue dress and blue shoes.


McMahon Funeral Home adopted this young lady’s funeral arrangements. Local donations paid for a headstone and flowers. More than 3,000 local residents went to McMahon Funeral Home to bid farewell to a girl they never knew.


Her identity remained a mystery of national interest until a local newspaper story commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of her death sparked a reader to contact a title agency that researched records from the sale of properties in Warren County, Pennsylvania. State authorities determined that Josephine Klimczak was The Girl in Blue. Lake County records, however, have not changed the death certificate; she is still listed as The Girl in Blue.

What Makes Us Unique

We are proud to embrace traditional values, diversity and innovation in honoring the spirit and life of each person we serve. We offer a full selection of:
  1. Funeral and memorial services, ranging from traditional to uniquely innovative and personal
  2. Burial services and cremation options
  3. Celebrant Services
Letting go of a loved one is usually a very difficult process. In order to provide your family peace-of-mind, our funeral home offers complete care, so you can focus on comforting each other as you prepare to say goodbye to someone dear to you.
Although there are many decisions you may have to make after the passing of a loved one, we assure you that we will guide you through the entire process every step of the way. We promise to help you:
  • Design the most fitting memorial or funeral service to honor your loved one's memory and pay tribute to their life achievements and experiences.
  • Select the most appropriate products, including a casket, burial vault, cremation urn, cemetery or mausoleum, to fit your budget and suit your needs and desires.
  • Write a fitting obituary to honor your loved one’s life experiences and social connections and assist you in the publication of the obituary in the newspaper(s) of your choice.
  • Create a Book of Memories™, a beautiful, permanent online memorial, where you and your friends can build a legacy of memories by archiving treasured photos and memories.
  • Welcome your family and friends to our funeral home for your planned services, including a viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service.
  • Make all arrangements with regard to the services whether they are held at your place of worship, our funeral home, cemetery, or alternate gathering place.
  • Select beautiful funeral print materials, including memorial folders, prayer cards and book marks. We also offer personalized note cards for you to acknowledge the emotional support you received from friends, co-workers and community members.
  • In the selection and on-site arrangement of floral tributes.
  • Access grief education and support materials, and with referrals to counseling services.
  • Prepare all paperwork, including vital record statistics, permits, filing and obtaining death certificates, and assistance with life insurance, veteran’s benefits and Social Security claims.
We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honor your loved one and family with dignity, respect and personal attention to every detail.
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