In 1937 Ray J. Casterline broke away from working with his cousin at a storefront funeral establishment and furniture store to begin his own journey as a licensed funeral director at 122 West Dunlap Street in downtown Northville. A Victorian home served the community as the first funeral parlor in Northville. The home next door was the residence to the Casterline family, with the garage between housing the ambulance service until the late 1960’s. In 1949 Ray’s son Fred A. Casterline, who married Emily Saner, became a licensed funeral director. Freddy, as many called him, was very well liked by the Northville community; and you could always find his wife Emily greeting people at the door of the funeral home. Their son Ray J. Casterline II began working with his father at an early age, and became a licensed funeral director in 1970.

In 1980 Fred and Emily retired and moved to Florida leaving the funeral home to their only son Ray, known to many as “Butch”. Because Ray and Roxanne had four girls; Courtney, Kelly, Lindsey, and Whitney, they wondered who would be the fourth generation funeral director. In 1997 Courtney Casterline-Ross and Lindsey Casterline-Dogonski both made the decision to join the family business. Courtney attended Wayne State University College of Mortuary Science from 1997-1998. She passed her state and national board examinations to become a licensed funeral director in 1999. Lindsey attended Wayne State University College of Mortuary Science from 1999-2000. She passed her state and national board examinations to become a licensed funeral director in 2000.

Ray was excited by the decision of his daughters and in 1997 started to plan the expansion of Casterline Funeral Home. They chose South Lyon because of the strong ties Roxanne’s family has in South Lyon and Salem Township. The Atchison and the Riddick families have served the area through doctoral and pastoral care since the 1800’s. The Casterline family found a beautiful piece of property in Lyon Township and built and exquisite funeral home. In January of 2000 the family’s vision was realized with the completion of the facility in South Lyon.

The Casterline Family has been serving the community successfully for four generations.
The family continuously supports Northville and South Lyon through their vast community involvement. They are members of the Northville Chamber of Commerce, the South Lyon Chamber of Commerce, Northville Kiwanis, South Lyon Kiwanis, Northville Central Business Association, and the Detroit Chamber of Commerce. This involvement helps them assess the communities needs, and therefore they are better able to serve families.

In March of 2004 Ray J. Casterline II died unexpectedly, leaving his daughters and wife to continue the family’s tradition of excellent service. They are committed to providing the same compassionate care that Ray had always provided, and look forward to serving the communities well into the future.