Stricklin/Snively Mortuary

Stricklin/Snively Mortuary dates back to 1905 when Edgar and Kate McFadyen opened McFadyen Mortuary in Long Beach. The firm was one of the few Long Beach undertaking parlors in operation at the time. The mortuary was first located at 135 East Third Street, presently the site of the Southern California Edison Company. It continued at that location until 1919 when the firm moved to 1952 Long Beach Blvd., then called American Avenue.

This new location was some distance from the mainstream of Long Beach proper. To counter balance this potential handicap, the McFadyens operated their own livery stable, a practice not uncommon for the more progressive businesses of the time. Funeral procession transportation by carriage was available for three dollars, and a surrey could be rented for fifty cents more. After Mr. McFadyen died in 1928, his widow continued the business until it was sold to Bill and Louise Sheelar in 1948.

In 1966, the mortuary was acquired by the Stricklin family. Ray and Randy Stricklin, who brought nearly 30 years of mortuary experience to the new business, assumed the daily operation with an excellent staff.

In 1979, the Long Beach Redevelopment Project began to change the face of the city. At that time, Patterson Snively Mortuary, which had been located at the corner of Sixth and Locust Ave. since 1914, was forced to relocate. Wilbur Snively, owner of that firm, then joined the mortuary on Long Beach Boulevard and the new Stricklin/Snively Mortuary was formed.

In 1980, at an expense of more than a million dollars, a total renovation project was completed. The newly remodeled mortuary included a greatly expanded chapel area, five spacious drawing rooms, many indoor and outdoor garden areas and a beautifully landscaped parking lot to accommodate vehicles during large funeral services.

Also in 1980, a new service was added to the mortuary with the completion of S S Flowers. Located adjacent to the main lobby of the funeral home, the shop was establish