our history

Macz Funeral Homes History

Family of four in formalwear smiles in front of a Christmas tree.

Tom & Traci Macz

Tom & Traci are “Saluki Sweethearts” who graduated in 2004 from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale's Mortuary Science Program. After graduating, the couple served their apprenticeship and became fully licensed directors. Two years later, they happily tied the knot. Fast forward five years, and the couple moved to Traci’s hometown of Sandoval to begin working for Day Funeral Homes. 

Tom and Traci took over management of Day Funeral Homes in late 2012. In 2013, they purchased the business, which included sites in Sandoval and Patoka, IL, from Dennis Day. The name changed to Day Macz Funeral Homes. In this same year, the couple welcomed the role of parenthood with the birth of their son, George Pulver. 


In 2015, the couple expanded their business from the estate of the late Larry Irvin by purchasing Irvin Funeral Homes in Centralia and Odin, and the name changed to Irvin Macz Funeral Homes. Three years later, the couple completed their family with the birth of their second son, Charles Thomas.

Portraits of two elderly couples, Mark and Margaret Cox and Dean and Virginia Martin.

Mark Cox - Apr. 3, 1909 - Jun. 29, 1990

Margaret Cox, Jul. 29, 1916 - Jul.28, 2007

Dean Martin, Dec. 28, 1912 - Oct. 26, 1993

Virginia Martin, Jul. 25, 1916 - May 28, 1994 

History of Day Macz Funeral Homes
in Patoka and Sandoval

Dean Martin (wife, Virginia) & Mark Cox (wife, Margaret) started the funeral home in 1938. James R. "Bob" Day was offered the opportunity to purchase the Cox-Martin Funeral Home in Sandoval & Patoka in 1981. After serving in World War II, Bob received his mortuary degree from the St. Louis School of Mortuary Science in 1949. He began his career at the Zieren-Day Funeral Home in Carlyle.

Bob Day in a portrait, and the Day Family in a group photo.

In Memory of James R. "Bob" Day

February 3, 1923 - May 21, 2012 

Marge Day, Jul 5, 1926 - Sept. 25, 2017

In 1994, the Cox-Martin & Day Funeral Home was renamed Day Funeral Homes. Bob's sons, James R. "Bobby" Day, joined the firm in 1981, and Dennis D. Day in 1984. In February of 2011, Tom & Traci Macz joined the staff at Day Funeral Homes. In late 2012, they took over the management of Day Funeral Homes, and in 2013, the funeral home was renamed Day Macz Funeral Homes.