Jewell – Rittman Family Funeral Home in Columbus has been sold to long-time funeral director Chris Branson and his wife, Mary Beth Branson.
Co-founder Nick Rittman will remain on staff as a funeral director, while Heeth Jewell, also a funeral director, will begin retirement.
The existing team, including full-time funeral directors L.D. McCoy, Eliane Glenn, and Kyra King, office manager Trinity Langley, and part-time associates, will continue serving families at the funeral home.
“The sale of our family business was a decision that required a great deal of prayer and consideration. We did not want to sell to an out-of-state conglomerate, and we could not feel more comfortable with the Bransons as our successors,” Rittman said. “We know that there will be changes, but Chris’ dedication to the profession will only enhance our service offerings.”
“We are grateful for the trust and confidence that Nick and Heeth have placed in us to care for the families that call on Jewell–Rittman. Columbus is a wonderful place, and we look forward to creating relationships here in the community,” Chris Branson said.
The Bransons live in Morgan County. Chris began a career in funeral service as a senior in high school, and he is a graduate of Xavier University. Mary Beth attended Marian University and has devoted herself to their family and community engagement. They have two college-aged sons, Ben and Buddy, who are students at Ivy Tech and Xavier University. They also own Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory in Mooresville, O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory on the south side of Indianapolis, and the Mooresville Monument Company. Both are active in the community and enjoy working on their small farm.
Jewell–Rittman Family Funeral Home was founded in 1999 by the late Vernon Jewell, who also previously owned and operated Reed & Jewell Funeral Home, and his stepson, Nick Rittman. Through the years, brothers Heeth Jewell and the late Keith Jewell have also been partners in the family business. The funeral home added a crematory in 2024, along with a pet cremation facility, which operates at the Jewell-Rittman Cremation Center on Marr Road.
