Our History
A legacy of compassionate service, spanning generations.
In 1924, Fred Filbeck began working as a clerk at J.D. Peterson and Company, unaware of the life changes ahead. After a year, he invested in the casket division, earned his professional license in Nashville, and started his own funeral service. His wife, Genoa, became a licensed funeral director, making her one of the first women in Kentucky to do so. Together, they gained a reputation for compassionate service, leading to the establishment of their funeral home in a landmark building in Benton in 1936.
In 1936, after breaking ground with teams of horses and mules and lumber from his own farm, Fred Filbeck and his wife, Genoa, opened the doors to what is now a historical landmark on Benton's Court Square. After years of working in the funeral profession, Fred felt like he knew what his community needed. A building that, for the time, was both modern and sophisticated. Along with his belief "that every family deserves the ideal setting and place for their services, with modern and desirable conveniences at no additional cost."
Otto Cann, who was married to Lillian Morgan, worked for Morgan and Heath General Merchandise and Caskets in 1927, which would eventually come to be known as Morgan & Cann Funeral Directors. In 1939, Otto purchased his father-in-law's part of the firm, and it became known as Cann Funeral Directors. Shortly thereafter, Fred Filbeck and Otto Cann formed a partnership, and the business became Filbeck & Cann Funeral Home.
In 1947, Fred and Otto recognized the needs of their community and built the addition onto the court square location in order to provide a larger and more spacious chapel. In 1952, Mr. Filbeck passed, and Otto Cann and Genoa Filbeck then became partners.
In the years that followed, Jerry Bennett and his wife, Mary, partnered alongside Neal Tolbert and his wife, Elizabeth, to share ownership of Filbeck‑Cann Funeral Home. For decades, their partnership continued to carry on the Filbeck‑Cann legacy and the commitment to always providing the highest level of care and compassion to the families they served. Jerry and Mary became the sole owners and Jerry received an award for over 50 years of service as a Kentucky Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.
Over the next few decades, the ownership and operation of Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home would transfer hands a couple more times, with no significant changes or additions to the landmark being made until 2019, when the Orr family purchased the funeral home.
In March of 2019, Milner and Orr became the new owners of Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home. For over 150 years, Western Kentucky families have trusted the Milner & Orr family because we're hometown folks. We know the area, we know you, and we believe in families helping families.
Owners Randy and Andrea Orr, along with their three children and spouses, Brandon Orr and his wife, Mary Beth, Logan Orr and his wife, Alison, and Jenna Wainer and her husband, Brian, began making plans to update and revitalize the historic funeral home.
Over the next few months, after careful consideration, renovations to the historic funeral home began. Much of their focus and attention was on accomplishing three main goals. First, restore and update the landmark while staying true to its historic character. Secondly, provide families with a more spacious and comforting atmosphere. Lastly, carry on the reputation and prestige that both Milner & Orr are known for, and that Fred and Otto built their business on many years ago.
HISTORY REPEATING. . . With 7 generations of experience serving families and their commitment to provide an exceptional level of care, the Orr's were quick to observe and listen to what the people in the community were saying.
The Community Spoke, and We Listened!
Just like Fred Filbeck had done back in 1936 and 1947, the Orr's also saw a need to expand and provide families in the area with a "modern and ideal location for families to honor their loved ones" and "meet the needs of the changing customs within the industry."
In late 2021, the Orr family purchased the former Marshall County Library with plans for it to become the location of the new Life Celebration Center of Filbeck & Cann. Excited to have the opportunity to renovate and repurpose a vacant building, which had also been a significant landmark in Marshall County, made this the perfect location for their new addition to Filbeck‑Cann.
After spending nearly six months operating as a donation headquarters for the families in the region impacted by the December 2021 tornado, and almost a year of renovations to the former library, the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck‑Cann opened its doors to the public in April 2023. The beautiful, fully renovated 15,000 square foot facility provides an option for families in Marshall County and surrounding areas, the perfect space to celebrate the life of their loved one. Proudly offering the largest chapel in Western Kentucky, in addition to a separate modest-sized chapel, multiple large seating and gathering areas, private family rooms, and a beautiful banquet hall for families to have meals in during or following their services.
Guest and Family Gathering Area
Full Banquet Suite
Family Room
Arrangement Area