Member Spotlight: Harrison Monuments
"At Harrison Monuments, we are committed to offering the very best experience for customers already dealing with a difficult time,” said Danyelle Harrison, laser art designer/sales consultant and part of the third generation of the Harrison family working in the monument business.
"My grandfather, Wilber Harrison, started Harrison Monuments in Warsaw in 1963,” said Harrison. "It started as a one-person business; he installed the monuments on his own and had only one model on display. At that time, most monuments were stamped with dogwoods or roses. Since that time, the business has expanded to two locations - Warsaw and Quincy, employs a staff of 15, and now has more than 200 monuments on display in our comfortable, climate controlled showrooms. In addition, we are now able to put anything customers can imagine on the monument.” 
"I look forward to working with the person who wants something unique on their monument, something we have never done before,” said Charlie Martin, lead artist for Harrison Monuments. "If a family has a special request, it is hard not to get into it, embrace it and fulfill their request.”
Prior to relocating to Quincy, Martin managed design for the country’s largest granite and bronze product manufacturer. His design work is featured nation-wide on private monuments, civic memorials, consumer interior design, and business and government features.
"In that role, I had the opportunity to see a lot of celebrity monuments and did conceptual work for major projects, such as the rehabilitation of the Jimi Hendrix memorial,” said Martin. "Here in Quincy we have also completed a wide range of unique projects – a war memorial at the Veterans Home, an entire QHS Blue Devils scene which was on a television show, a custom light installation from New York, and many one-of-a-kind personal monuments. Our monuments are as unique as the individuals they memorialize.”
Harrison Monuments recently won a nation-wide design contest, placing first in the double monument category. Despite their daily focus on preserving memories through memorials, Harrison Monuments provides a wide range
of products for businesses and consumers as well. Granite and stone are popular for businesses signage and subdivision entrances; brick pavers can help provide funding and an interesting display for civic, school, or nonprofit projects. Consumers can order custom decorative landscape rocks, a hearth etching for the fireplace, or a custom piece for the kitchen or garden. In addition, pet memorials are increasing in popularity, and granite etched with a picture and date serves as a unique wedding or anniversary gift.
"Whether we’re helping a business with signage or helping a family memorialize a loved one, the ability to help people is the best part about working in our business,” said Harrison.
"Sometimes our work is difficult,” said Martin, "Especially when people pass away unexpectedly or due to a tragedy – particularly when the tragedy involves children. However, it is also very rewarding. When families pre-plan, we get to spend time with them when they are more relaxed. Sometimes couples will jokingly disagree on their stone – after all, a monument is ‘truly the stone that is forever.’ Many of our customers become almost like family. When we hear how much we helped them gain closure by memorializing their loved one, it is a good 
feeling.”
The Harrison family and the staff of Harrison Monuments go above and beyond not only to help customers, but to serve the community as well.
"My grandfather’s motto was ‘give and you will be given back ten-fold’ – it is a way of life for our family,” said Harrison. "We don’t something for the publicity, but because it’s the right thing to do.”
After the severe windstorm this summer, the Harrison Monuments staff spent four days helping to clean up a damaged cemetery, putting more than 80 monuments back up and cleaning up limbs and debris.
"It needed to be done," said Harrison, "We all pitched in to help because we knew the cemetery didn’t have enough help."
Although Harrison is generally low-key about the community and charitable work done by her family and business, others have recognized her efforts. For example, Harrison’s work to develop a community playground in Warsaw earned her the Studs Terkel Illinois Humanitarian Award. More recently, Harrison Monuments was recognized for donating a custom plaque to memorialize Quincy Police Department’s canine unit dog Max, who passed away due to cancer.
"Max’s story really touched our hearts,” said Harrison. "We believe dogs are an important part of the family. We call our dog, Emmy, the ‘monu-dog’ and she comes to work with us every day – though many times, customers don’t even realize she’s here. It was important to recognize the role Max played in the police department and the service he provided to the community.”
Although the commitment to serve both customers and community has not changed since 1963 when Wilber Harrison established Harrison Monuments, the business is in the midst of exciting changes.
"2011 is a very exciting time for Harrison Monuments,” said Danyelle Harrison. "We acquired Brinkoetter Monuments and look forward to continuing to serve their past customers. We’re also implementing a new marketing strategy, including newspaper, television, radio and more – and preparing to launch a new website. In addition, we celebrate five years of our current location in Quincy with an open house on November 11. It is exciting to have so much growth, to employ more people, and to continue to find new ways to benefit our customer base and community.”
For more information about Harrison Monuments, visit their showroom at 1523 S. 12th (across from South Park) in Quincy, call (217) 222-4667, or visit www.harrisonmonuments.com.
.gif)
