If you’ve lived in Port Allegany for more than a few years, you know the building on Willow Street. It’s been a fixture. Honestly, for many of us, it’s the place we’ve gone to say the hardest goodbyes of our lives. But if you’ve driven past lately or checked the local news, you might have noticed a shift. Switzer Funeral Home Port Allegany PA is officially entering a new era, and while the sign on the lawn might look a little different, the history behind those walls is deep.
Change is weird. In a small town like ours, we like things to stay exactly where we left them. However, in December 2024, Frank W. Switzer Jr. announced his retirement after nearly five decades in the business. That’s a long time. Forty-seven years of being the person people call at 3:00 AM on their worst day.
The Big Transition to Olney-Foust
So, here is the deal: The business was purchased by Benjamin R. Olney and Dylan P. Foust. They’ve rebranded it as Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, LLC, Switzer Chapel.
A lot of people were worried about what a "merger" or "acquisition" would mean for a local staple. Would it become some corporate, cold machine? Fortunately, that’s not the vibe. Benjamin and Dylan are local directors themselves, coming out of Ulysses and Wellsville. Basically, they aren't some hedge fund from Philadelphia; they’re guys who understand what rural Pennsylvania life looks like.
Frank Switzer Jr. didn’t just disappear, either. While he’s definitely spending more time with his grandkids and traveling—which, honestly, the man earned—he’s still listed as a licensed director on the staff. It’s more of a passing of the torch than a total vanishing act.
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A Quick History Lesson You Probably Forgot
The Switzer name is synonymous with Port Allegany, but the home’s roots actually go back even further. Did you know it started with the Gallup family?
- Early 1900s: Glenn Gallup started the business as part of a furniture store. Back then, furniture and funerals often went hand-in-hand because furniture makers had the wood and the skills to make coffins.
- 1938: Lawrence Gallup moved the operation to its current spot at 77 Willow Street.
- 1971: Frank Switzer Sr. and his wife, Vivian, bought the place.
- 1988: Frank Jr. and his wife, Pamela, took over the reins.
For over 50 years, the Switzer family was the face of the business. That’s generations of families being served by the same family. It’s rare to see that kind of continuity nowadays.
What Services Look Like Now
When a funeral home changes hands, people start asking about costs and options. It’s the practical side of grief that no one likes talking about but everyone has to deal with.
The new management has actually expanded some of the offerings. Because Olney-Foust operates their own private crematory, things are a bit more streamlined for families choosing cremation. You aren't waiting for a third-party facility three counties away to have an opening.
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They still do the traditional stuff, obviously.
- Traditional Viewings: Usually held at the Willow Street chapel.
- Graveside Services: Serving local spots like Fairview Cemetery or Forest Hill in Austin.
- Cremation: Now with more "direct" options that can lower the financial burden.
- Monuments: They have a dedicated branch for headstones and markers now, which sort of makes it a one-stop-shop.
The phone number hasn’t changed. It’s still 814-642-2363. If you call, you’re likely to talk to Diane Dynda, the office manager who has been a steady presence through the transition.
The Reality of Funeral Costs in McKean County
Let's be real for a second. Funerals are expensive. While the "Switzer Chapel" keeps its pricing competitive for the region, a traditional service in the area typically runs anywhere from $5,000 to over $10,000 once you factor in the casket, the vault, and the cemetery fees.
The new owners have been pretty open about "pre-planning." It sounds like a sales pitch, but in a town where everyone knows everyone, it’s more about not leaving your kids with a $9,000 bill and no idea what kind of music you wanted. They use the same records Frank kept for years, so if your parents had a plan on file at Switzer Funeral Home Port Allegany PA, it’s still there. It hasn't been tossed in a dumpster.
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Why Small Town Funeral Homes Still Matter
In big cities, funeral homes are often owned by massive conglomerates like SCI. You’re a number. In Port Allegany, the directors see you at the Shop ‘n Save. They know your uncle. They remember your grandmother’s service.
That local connection is why the Olney-Foust team kept the "Switzer Chapel" name. They know the brand equity isn't just in the sign—it’s in the trust the community built with the Switzer family over half a century.
How to Handle a Loss in Port Allegany
If you find yourself needing their services, here is the actual, boots-on-the-ground advice:
- Call immediately. The 814-642-2363 number is monitored 24/7.
- Locate the paperwork. Look for any "Pre-Need" folders. Frank was meticulous about filing these. If you find one, it makes the initial meeting 100% easier.
- Think about the "New" Options. Ask about the crematory services if you're looking for something less traditional. Since they own the equipment now, the turnaround and "chain of custody" are much tighter than they used to be.
- The Obituary. They handle the heavy lifting with local papers, but having a few bullet points about the person’s life—where they worked (like Pittsburgh Corning), their hobbies, and their family—saves a lot of stress during the arrangement meeting.
The legacy of Switzer Funeral Home Port Allegany PA isn't ending; it's just evolving. It’s still the white house on Willow Street. It’s still the place that helps our community through the hardest days. It just has a few more hands on deck to make sure it stays that way for the next 50 years.
Actionable Insights:
- If you have an existing pre-planned funeral contract with Switzer, call the office to ensure your records are updated in the new Olney-Foust system.
- Check the new website at
olneyfoust.comfor the most recent obituaries, as the oldswitzerfuneralhome.comdomain may redirect or be phased out. - Request a General Price List (GPL) if you are starting from scratch; legally, they must provide this to you, and it helps you compare traditional burial versus the newer cremation packages.