Ex-funeral home director pleads guilty, could get 3 years

Staff report

WARREN

Robert J. McClurkin, the older of the two McClurkin brothers who ran the former McClurkin Funeral Home in Girard, pleaded guilty today to 11 charges related to the theft of about $450,000 from customers who bought prepaid funeral arrangements.

Robert McClurkin, 51, of South State Street in Girard, will be sentenced later by Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court and could get three years in prison if he fails to make full restitution to his victims, according to a plea agreement.

Robert and his brother Patrick McClurkin, 49, of Abby Street in Girard, are jointly responsible for paying back $204,268 still owed to 33 customers, said Diane Barber, an assistant county prosecutor.

An insurance company has reimbursed the 42 other customers, Chuck Morrow, another assistant county prosecutor, said in May when Patrick was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest and five years’ probation for his part in the scheme.

Read more about the case in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.