In 1961 while recovering from a two-story fall, ironworker Ed Lovell needed something to do while his two broken heels were healing. At that time many crosses were being imported from Europe, and he was hoping by making them in Chicago he could service at least the local market..
So on the Southside of Chicago, in his basement with wife Lorraine in their single family home, they began making crosses. On weekends and evenings Ed had access to a machine shop on Western Avenue where he could go and machine the 12-foot brass rods into smaller pieces. Through a network of friends and family he found resources, subcontractors and various suppliers.
After Ed recovered as much as he could from his first accident, he went back to ironworking. During that time the business income was just not enough to support his family. Almost seven years after his first accident, a rebar structure fell on his leg and broke it. As fate would have it, by then the business could provide enough for his family and it became Ed and Lorraine’s full time endeavor.
We still serve those same customers in Chicago that helped us get started and expand. Just as it is here, it’s the second and third generations that we deal with but we are very proud and grateful to still have them as customers. Since 1961 we have been producing crosses primarily for the funeral industry.
Sincerely,
The Lovells