History & Staff
We have 148 years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Our History
Framptom Funeral Home, P.A. was established in 1864 during the latter stages of the Civil War. The Framptom family had already been in business for many years selling carriages, buck-boards and freight wagons. It was a rather natural transition for them to further assist the region by becoming undertakers. Literally "undertaking" to respectfully care for the families of the region that needed their services. Joseph Framptom and his assistants would prepare the deceased at home and then lay the person back in their bed until a casket could be brought to the home the next day. Many of the caskets that were used were built by the funeral home in their shop.
A son of Joseph, Jerome J. Framptom entered the business with his father assisting in all aspects of caring for the families that they served. Their business grew and expanded until they were caring for families from the northern portions of the Eastern Shore all of the way to Cape Charles, Virginia. That would involve a commitment of several days. Jerome J. Framptom, had two sons, one being Henry who came into the family business and the other was Jerome J. Framptom, Jr. who after graduating from Washington College in Chestertown, pursued and received his law degree. In a tragic accident Henry was killed in an automobile accident in 1935 and was eventually entombed in the Framptom mausoleum which was erected in Hill Crest Cemetery in Federalsburg. Jerome J. Framptom, Jr. then came into the business with his father.
The funeral home continually strived to maintain the best of equipment and facilities. After World War II when funerals were more often conducted in the funeral home instead of the individuals home, or the church, a large addition was made to the funeral home allowing for a large chapel, and a private viewing area for families. The Framptom family eventually had 4 generations of Framptom families working in the funeral home when Jerome, Jr.'s son Joseph was licensed as a funeral director.
In 1972 the business was sold to Donald and Margaret Hawkins. They along with their daughter Janie and her husband Michael Eskow moved to Federalsburg. Mr. Hawkins a veteran of World War II where he served as a radio man on B-17's had been licensed as a funeral director for 25 years. New parking facilities, a large and expanded family room, new monument processing facilities, modern monument handling equipment, and updated facilities would eventually be added to the funeral home property. Michael entered Mortuary School in 1975 and was licensed as a mortician in 1976. In 1998 Michael and Janie's daughter, Christy joined the family business. She was married in June of 1999 to Roman G. Coale and both of them now work in the family business as licensed funeral directors
Throughout the years the long established Framptom philosophy of compassionate, considerate care, with the best of equipment and facilities at very competitive costs has continued until the present day.
Our Valued Staff
Michael Eskow, President
Born and Raised in Hancock, NY
Graduated From Hancock Central HS Class of 1965
Graduated From Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science in 1976.
Member of Federalsburg Vol. Fire Company since 1978
Enjoys outdoors: Hunting, golfing with his wife, Janie, jet sking, boating, crabbing and fishing.
Member of Lighthouse community church in Federalsburg.
Margaret"Janie" Eskow
Born and raised in Bayside, Queens, NY
Moved to The Eastern Shore in 1972 with her family
Overlooks the day to day business affairs of the FH.
Enjoys spending time on various committees, church functions, etc.
Active in Funeral Service since her childhood.
Member of Lighthouse Community Church in Federalsburg.
Christy M. Coale, Funeral Director
Raised in Federalsburg (next door to Funeral Home)
Graduated From Epworth Christian School in 1993
Graduated From Messiah College, Grantham, PA in 1997 with a BA in Political Science
Graduated From Catonsville Community College in 1999 with an AA in Mortuary Science
Past President and Secretary of Federalsburg Rotary Club
Former secretary and treasurer of Delmarva Funeral Service Association
3rd Generation Funeral Director
Lives in East New Market with her husband, Roman and son Addison
Roman G. Coale CFSP, Funeral Director
Raised in Cambridge, Maryland
Graduated From Cambridge South Dorchester High School in 1995.
Graduated From Catonsville Community College in 1999 with an AA in Mortuary Science
Current Vice President and former secretary of the Delmarva Funeral Service Association
Lives in East New Market with his wife, Christy and son Addison
Enjoys traveling, Real Estate projects, and spending time outdoors.
Donald and Margaret Hawkins
Donald & Margaret Hawkins
Both born and raised in upstate New York.
Donald and Margaret owned & operated the Lloyd Funeral Home in Bayside, Queens, NY until 1972 when they moved to Federalsburg and purchased the business from the Framptom family.
They raised three children, Janie, Mary and John.