Franklin Monument buys Norwalk Monument

Franklin Monument Company has expanded its reach and has acquired the business assets of Norwalk Monument Company.The purchase, which took place in June, will allow Norwalk Monument owner Cathy Stower to retire after 40 years in the business. Norwalk Monument was located at 189 Woodlawn Ave."We have always had a great working relationship with Dick and Cathy Stower and Norwalk Monument," said Franklin Monument owner Kevin Hipp. "Earlier this year, Mrs. Stower contacted us as she was considering retirement and our discussions resulted in the acquisition of her business. We are thrilled and humbled by the responsibility to carry on the legacy of compassion, quality and personalized service that Norwalk Monument has always stood for."Details will be announced soon for a joint celebration in honor of Stower's retirement and the coming together of the two companies.This is nothing new to the Hipps and how Kevin and his wife April run their 39 Woodlawn Ave. business. Franklin Monument was founded in 2003 and has become one of the area's leaders in customized memorials, monuments, headstones and grave markers. "Our passion and specialization is customized productions. We are passionate about providing the most personalized memorial for our customers. The most valuable service we provide is individual attention. We recognize that every customer has unique needs," Kevin Hipp said.Some of Franklin Monument's notable community projects include the Huron County Veteran's Memorial, the Firefighters Memorial and the Law Enforcement Memorial, all located on Shady Lane Drive in Norwalk.Stower, who lost her husband in 2013, said she's looking forward to what retirement has in store for her, noting she's "already starting to enjoy it.""Some were sad when I said it was time to retire, but I said at 81, don't you think it's time to retire," she said. "I feel great, though, and it's another reason it's time to retire. We had it for 40 years."She said that she plans to use her new-found time to be with family and friends and to "enjoy some yard work."Stower said the business was a rewarding one to be involved with with her husband."I enjoyed it very, very much," she said. "I just enjoyed getting to meet and know so many lovely families throughout the years in their time of grief. I enjoyed it. We hoped that we served our people well at their time of grief, and I think, personally, we did a very good job. We received so many nice letters or notes from people that said they appreciated what we did."Having served the Norwalk community and surrounding area since its founding as McKnight and Smith Monument works in 1884, Norwalk Monument was purchased in 1979 by the Stowers. After Dick's passing in 2013, Cathy and her children continued to operate the business.Kevin and April Hipp