History & Staff

Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.

Cornwell Colonial Chapel was founded in 1933 by J. Melvin Ringo in Woodburn, when he purchased the business on the corner of First and Garfield. Within a few years the business moved across the block to 2nd and Garfield where expanded facilities became available. As the family business continued to grow, Charles Cornwell, Melvin's son-in-law joined the business after serving in WWII. Charles and his wife Lou Jane continued the business over the next 60 years. Recognizing a growing and underserved population, construction of a new chapel in Wilsonville was completed in 1995, making it the first new funeral home in the state of Oregon in over 20 years. The amenities include the most up to date facilities with the attention to detail that makes any family feel immediately welcomed.