The business was founded in 1866 by Major Darwin Buck and Joseph Hoyt, when they returned from the Civil War. 

Buck & Hoyt also operated a picture framing business when they weren’t taking care of families. It was common for funeral establishements to be associated with other retail businesses which could be closed when funeral service was requested.

In 1891 the firm was purchased by James T. Caldwell and James S. Baker. In 1909 Franklin E. Shaw, a salesman for the Globe Casket Company, saw the opportunity to purchase the business. With partner Francis McLinden, it became the Shaw & McLinden Funeral Home. 

Franklin was the first generation in the Shaw Family to operate the business. The funeral home, originally on Jefferson Avenue, eventually moved to South Avenue in Battle Creek and was located in a residential neighborhood. Franklin's wife, Elizabeth also became a licensed funeral director which was a rare achievement for women in that era. 

In 1929 Shaw’s son, Franklin E. Shaw, Jr. was a student at the University of Michigan and was called back to take over the family business upon his father's death. Frank Jr. attended the Collier School of Embalming in New York and immediately took over operation of the business operating it until his death in 1966. Frank Jr. moved the business to the historic H. B. Sherman residence at 121 Capital Ave. N.E. in 1949 where it was remodeled and operated as a funeral home for 50 years.

Thomas R. Shaw became the third generation to enter the family funeral business in 1959 after graduating from Wayne State University. He became the sole proprietor in 1966. His wife, Esther M. Shaw, has been directly involved in the business since 1960 and remains active today.

In 1975 the former Lehman Funeral Home in Bellevue was purchased from Carl M. Lehman and operated it as the Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel. The Lehman Chapel dates back to 1856. Bellevue was the first organized village in Eaton County. Longtime associate, Carl Steele and wife Judy moved into the Bellevue funeral home in 1976. Upon Carl's death, Judy Steele now oversees the day-to-day care of the funeral home. Former owner Carl Lehman continued to work with the funeral home until his death in 1997. His wife Pauline Lehman is still a familiar face at visitations and funerals.

Tom moved the Battle Creek business to its present location at 2838 Capital Ave. S.W. near the fast-growing Beckley Rd. and I-94 corridor in 1989 where the family tradition continues today.

In 1990, T. R. Shaw Jr. became the fourth generation of the Shaw family to join the business and has been actively involved in all aspects of funeral service. With the death of Thomas R. Shaw in 2001, T. R. Shaw Jr. has become the owner and manager of the family enterprise. His wife, Kathy Banfield Shaw, formerly of Marshall, along with Esther and a dedicated staff of part-time personnel, including Tom’s brother, Franklin E. “Pete” Shaw III, continue to provide intimate and personal service to families in Battle Creek and in Bellevue.

We are very proud of our heritage in Battle Creek and Bellevue and have been an integral part of the community and plan to continue to serve for many years to come.