Our History

Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc., has been serving families in central Pennsylvania for over 100 years. Our roots go deep within the community of Altoona and surrounding areas, and they continue to grow as we are in the fourth generation of service.

On April 1, 1909, Newton E. Roher and John S. Mauk formally founded a funeral home in the Juniata section of Altoona, Pennsylvania, naming it Roher and Mauk. The business was opened in a three-story building that housed a floral shop on the first floor, offices and a casket selection room on the second floor, and a large meeting room on third floor. In 1922, the funeral home was one of several buildings destroyed by fire. The building was rebuilt on the same site, opening for business one year later, being used exclusively as a funeral home.

In 1931, Mr. Roher retired. It was then that Mr. Mauk formed a partnership with Walter J. Yates, Sr., and the business became known as Mauk & Yates. Mr. Yates' wife, Edith Shilling Yates, was the first licensed female embalmer in Altoona.

Mr. Mauk died in 1965, and his two sons, J. Preston and Robert P., continued to operate the partnership with Mr. Yates.

In 1970, Mr. Yates retired, and the business was incorporated by the Mauks, and became formally known as Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc, with J. Preston Mauk as President, and Robert P. Mauk as secretary/treasurer.

In 1975, John S. Mauk's grandson, Robert A. Mauk, joined the company, moving the firm into its third generation of service. He was named Vice President two years later.

Ten years later, Robert P. Mauk retired, and Robert A. Mauk became president and supervisor. Robert P. Mauk remained a consultant with the company until his death in 1990, as did J. Preston Mauk until his death in 2002.

In 1999, Jason P. Mauk joined the firm, moving the company into its fourth generation of service. Robert A. Mauk, President and Supervisor, and Jason P. Mauk, Vice-President, currently operate the firm.

Now in our 101st year, we proudly serve central Pennsylvania with four generations of trusted, compassionate service.