The McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home was originally founded as the Armour Funeral Home in 1917 by W. M. Armour. The original location was in the Southeast corner of the intersection of Main and Pike Streets in Houston, PA.

In 1926 L. P. Speakman joined the firm and became a partner with W.M. Armour in 1931. Mr. Speakman purchased the funeral firm in 1933 and became its sole proprietor. The Speakman Funeral Home business grew and the customs were changing. More funerals were being held in the funeral home and not in residences, so the need for additional space became evident. In 1946 Mr. Speakman purchased and remodeled a home on the present Cherry Avenue site.

In 1953 L. P. Speakman passed away and the business was taken over by his son, William E. Speakman. Robert K. McIlvaine joined the firm in 1975. Rob worked at the funeral home while he attended Grove City College and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Mr. McIlvaine was licensed in 1979 and purchased the firm in 1985; and as a result the name was changed to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home, Ltd.

Although in the same location, the funeral home has been able to improve and adjust to the changing needs of the community. Handicapped accessibility and additional parking were added in 1997. Over the years, the interior of the building has seen several different improvements and decorative styles.

Rob McIlvaine relates, "Today we strive to make the funeral home have more of the feeling of one's own home. We hope that through a very difficult time we can make the families we serve as comfortable as possible."

For the past 87 years the firm has taken great pride in providing the communities of Houston, Canonsburg, Meadowlands, Hickory, Eighty Four and surrounding areas the highest level of professional funeral service.