Our Story
Our Story
"Our Family Helping Your Family"
Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home is proud to represent over a century of dedicated service to the families of St. Mary’s County and Southern Maryland. Our story began in the late 19th century with a man whose vision laid the foundation for generations of compassionate care.
In 1886, William Clement “Clem” Mattingly—a respected community member and livery operator in Leonardtown—established what would become the first family-run funeral home in St. Mary’s County. He purchased the Moore’s Hotel building in downtown Leonardtown and, using logs, moved it to Fenwick Street to serve as the original site of W.C. Mattingly Funeral Home. In 1898, the business formally opened its doors, and Clem faithfully served as funeral director and owner for the next 42 years, until his passing in 1940.
“Clem” Mattingly had three sons—Charles Jenkins, Robert Andrew, and Joseph Clement (“Poor Joe”)— who were involved, at various times, in the operation of what became known as W.C. Mattingly & Sons Funeral Home. While Charles J. Mattingly eventually pursued other interests and Robert A. Mattingly moved to Washington, D.C. to establish his own funeral service legacy, it was Joseph C. Mattingly, a World War I veteran and respected civic leader, who remained in Leonardtown and assumed responsibility for the family funeral home after his father’s passing. “Poor Joe” continued the Mattingly tradition of heartfelt, dignified service, upholding the family’s long-standing commitment to the community.
After Joe’s passing in 1956, ownership transferred to his nephew, W. Clarke Mattingley, who purchased the funeral home from family members in 1957. Clarke modernized the operation, opening a new facility in 1965 and later, with his wife Joyce Addison Mattingley, established Charles Memorial Gardens in 1977, named in memory of their beloved son, Charles Frederick Mattingley. Clarke remained dedicated to the families of Southern Maryland until his death in 1987.
In 1987, longtime employee Michael Kevin Gardiner, Sr., who had worked for the Mattingley family for 16 years, purchased the funeral home. Following the transition, the business was renamed Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home to reflect the new ownership, while honoring the Mattingly family legacy. Under Mike’s leadership, the funeral home continued to uphold the values instilled by generations before him: service, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the community. In 2011, Mike oversaw a major renovation to ensure the facility remained a welcoming and modern space for families. This renovation included the addition of an on-site crematory to serve the growing number of families selecting cremation.
After several years of discussion and thoughtful planning, Mike Gardiner selected John E. Parker to continue the Mattingley-Gardiner legacy. John, who joined the funeral home in 2021, shared Mike’s commitment to professional excellence and personal service. In 2022, John purchased the business, becoming the next steward of its proud tradition, while fulfilling a long-held dream of leading a funeral home deeply rooted in tradition and community.
Today, Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home remains family-owned and deeply committed to our community, carrying forward a legacy of care that began more than 135 years ago. With deep respect for the values established by the Mattingley and Gardiner families, John is honored to lead the funeral home into the future—continuing to serve the families of St. Mary’s County with integrity, compassion, and a heartfelt commitment to providing personal, meaningful care in life’s most difficult moments. Just as “Clem” Mattingly envisioned in 1886.
