About Us

Our History

The Parmele and Allen Funeral Homes were founded over ninety years ago. The Allen Funeral Homes in both Millbrook and Pleasant Valley remained in the Allen family until 1983, when two of their employees, Robert M. King and Michael Sontheimer, purchased the firm. In 1994, the Amenia facility was opened. In December of 2003, the Amenia facility was sold and will now once again become a private residence. We will now be serving these families at our Millbrook facility. Parmele Funeral Home operated at its original location on Haight Ave. in the Arlington area of Poughkeepsie until the mid 1970's, when it moved to its present location on Fulton Ave.

In 1998, Allen Funeral Homes purchased Parmele Funeral Home from Margaret Caven, who was a daughter of founder Joseph Parmele. Margaret, along with her husband John D. Caven, operated the funeral business for many years. All three facilities have undergone some major renovations over the past several years, with the most recent being Parmele Funeral Home. Our new well-illuminated parking area can now accommodate one hundred cars. This Mediterranean-style two-story brick structure, built in 1912, still retains its hand-crafted woodwork and fixtures. It offers an atmosphere of beauty and serenity throughout. All three of our facilities are fully handicapped accessible.

In 1874, Silas Schoonmaker founded Schoonmaker Funeral Home in Red Hook, New York. Alfred Allendorph Schoonmaker joined his father in business at the turn of the century and moved the business to Mill and Catherine Sts. in Poughkeepsie, New York. Upon his death in 1942, his son Allen Schoonmaker II continued operating the family business at a new location, 73 S. Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie, until his death in 1990.

Allen Schoonmaker III, licensed manager of Schoonmaker Funeral Home since 1969, is continuing the family tradition and is celebrating 130 years of funeral service to the Dutchess County community. In 2005, Schoonmaker Funeral Home joined Parmele and Allen Funeral Homes and will now be conducting business under the direction of Allen Schoonmaker III at 110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie, New York. 12603.

In April 2009, Robert H. Auchmoody Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie joined Parmele Funeral Home and now is known as Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home, serving families at 110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie.