In July, 1929, Newton J. Branson moved to Flora from Salem, Illinois, and opened Branson Funeral home in the former Fritz Shriver residence on Third Street. In 1937 work began on the new funeral home on the corner of North Main and Fifth Street. The new facility was completed and formally opened to the public on December 18, 1937.

John Frank, a licensed embalmer and funeral director later joined the Branson family and eventually purchased the funeral home in 1967, at which time the name of the facility was changed to the John T. Frank Funeral Home. John and his wife, Mary served the community until Mr. Frank's death in August of 1982.

On April 1, 1983, Gary And Barb Bright purchased the funeral home from the Frank family. At that time the name of the funeral home name was changed to Frank & Bright Funeral Home. Since 1983, the funeral home has undergone several major renovations to accommodate the ever- changing needs of the community, and a steadily growing business.

Today, as it began in 1929, the Frank & Bright Funeral Home is locally owned and operated by Gary and Barb Bright and staff. It is a sincere goal of our family to make a difficult time a little easier in our home like facilities.

Gary and Barb Bright were married in 1975 and have 2 children: a son, Greg, and a daughter, Kim and her husband Josh. Gary & Barb belong to the Flora 1st United Methodist Church.

Gary, an Edwardsville, IL native, is a SIU Mortuary Science Graduate. He currently serves as Clay County Coroner, and has since 1989. Gary has earned his certification as a Diplomat of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Gary previously served on the Flora Volunteer Fire Department for over 18 years, the last several of which he served as captain. Gary's other memberships include Flora Rotary Club, Flora Elks, Flora Sons of the American Legion, Flora Moose, Flora Masonic Lodge and Clay County Shrine Club.

Barb, a Mt. Vernon, IL native, is a SIU graduate. After working several years as a dental hygienist, she decided to become a working part of the funeral home team, serving as the office manager.

Jarrod Kohn is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Illinois and Indiana. He was born and raised in Washington, Indiana with many close ties to Clay County. Jarrod attended mortuary school at Vincennes University, then traveled to Los Angeles, CA to do his internship, after which he returned to Indiana to work.

He is married to Hayley Anderson, a Clay County native, who is a teacher at the Floyd Henson Junior High School in Flora.

Jarrod is a member of the Ancient Landmarks Masonic Lodge, Flora Elks, and attends the First United Methodist Church in Flora.

Wesley E. "Wes" Miller is a native of Clay County. He became a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in 1974. He attended Kentucky School of Mortuary Science after returning from a 13-month tour-of-duty in Vietnam. In 1979, Wes joined the John T. Frank Funeral Home.

He is married to Cheryl Levitt Miller, also a Clay County native, and they have two children: a son, Sean of Chicago, and a daughter, Lisa Kermicle, of Kentucky. Wes has one granddaughter; Katlyn also of Kentucky

When not at the funeral home, Wes relaxes by hunting both deer and turkey. He enjoys visiting Wild Wing Lodge in Kentucky, which is operated by his son-in-law, Rhett.

Wes is a member of the First Christian Church in Flora, the VFW of Clay City and the American Legion of Flora.

Ashton Byrd was raised in Flora, IL. After high school and some college, he began a career in law enforcement. Ashton spent 2 years as a correctional officer at Dwight Correctional Facility, in Dwight, IL. Upon his return to Clay County he began working as a correctional officer at the Clay County Sheriff's Office in 2004. In 2005 he was promoted to Deputy Sheriff and served until 2008. Ashton is currently attending mortuary school at Vincennes University.

Ashton married Julie Hamilton, a Clay County native, who works at the Clay City Banking Company in Clay City, IL.