About Us

The history of funeral service in our community is important to us at Sinnott Funeral Home.

Our History

The history of funeral Service in our community is something very important to us at Sinnott Funeral Home. George Gilbert and Kenny Geyer are that History.

George Gilbert grew up in New Sharon. He worked at a funeral home in Vin-ton, Iowa and Grinnell before serving two years in the United States Army. After returning he attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1956. He then returned to Grinnell to serve his internship. In 1961, George and Bonnie moved to Lovilia and bought Zimmermans Funeral Home in Lovilia and Bussey. They later purchased Humeston Funeral Home in Albia in 1983. For nearly 50 years they owned and operated the three funeral homes. After retirement he still kept active in the funeral business. George passed away on April 1, 2011. George left this earth on April fools day, and everyone who knew George will always remember him for the jokester he was.

Kenny Geyer started his life of funeral service by mowing the Sixteen Cemetery and digging graves by hand near Thornburg. This sparked his interest in funeral service. He graduated from the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science in 1947. He worked for Sigourney for ten years and then moved to Albia in 1957 to own and operate the Geyer Lewis Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. In 1958 he added the Turner Funeral Home in Moravia. Kenny and Gladys moved the Geyer Funeral Home in 1976 to the United Methodist Church School house. Kenny passed away on September 16, 2010.

George Gilbert and Kenny Geyer conducted funeral services with class. While they were competitors at the time, they both saw potential in Bob Sinnott and took him under their wings. Bob recalls, ‘George Gilbert and Kenny Geyer are two men that served our community for many years in the funeral business and they did so with class. It was tough losing both of them within a year’s time. They may have been old enough to both be my grandfather, but were both good friends of mine that I knew had great confidence in the work I do.

In 2015, Bob Sinnott opened the Sinnott Funeral Home, previously known as the Gilbert Funeral Home. He also bought a church in Ottumwa and opened it as a funeral home in 2017. Over the last several years, Bob and Jenn have brought quality funerals and care to the families in our community, following in the footsteps of George Gilbert and Kenny Geyer. Their legacy of funeral service in our community will not be forgotten here at Sinnott Funeral Home.

Family Testimonials

The Sinnott Funeral Home has done a fantastic job serving our family. Bob made us feel more at ease from the minute I alerter him of our mothers passing . Bob reassured me he would get her from Omaha to Albia and handled all the arrangements basically over the phone . We cannot say enough great things about their services he and Tom have eased our pain and sorrow just knowing they were their to handle any request and all the questions. Thank you from the family of Janet Fosenburg Joe,Reashell,Anita,grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Joe Fosenburg
Bob took excellent care of my family when our son Timmy Shane died 3 years ago. Excellent and compassionate service from people who treat you like family during our hardest days. Thank you so much we can never tell you how much you helped our family.
Eleanor McDonald
This pass year had many changes for our family. Two of the most hardest was to say goodbye to my husbands parents. One last February and the other last November,God bless them both. Mr Bob Sinnott was so knowledgeable and helpful to our family when making decisions on their funeral arrangements. He was very caring and compassionate. The services for both were done exactly like our family expressed to Mr Sinnott. He did a fabulous Job and didn't miss one detail. Thank you and would recommend your services to anyone in need for them.
Tammy Beary
I can't say enough about how Bob was with us though this difficult time. He was very help with making arrangements. There was things that Bob did for us that we never expected. Bob is such a genuine man. I would recommend Bob in all arraignments he sure makes things easier in time of loss. Thank You Bob!!!!
Brenda Wignall
Bobby and his staff were AMAZING during the loss of my wife's Mom ! Words can't convey how pleased we all were.
John Williams