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Reading, Pennsylvania (Epicstorian News) — After being preserved and displayed for over a century, the body known as Stoneman Willie was finally laid to rest on October 7. For 128 years, his mummified remains were kept at Auman Funeral Home, where an embalming experiment inadvertently preserved his body.
Identity of Stoneman Willie Confirmed After 128-Year Mystery
Records reveal that Stoneman Willie died in jail on November 19, 1895, from kidney failure. At the time of his arrest for pickpocketing, he gave a false name, leaving local officials unable to locate any relatives or confirm his true identity.
His preserved state resulted from a mortician experimenting with embalming techniques with state permission to monitor the process over time.
Auman Funeral Home Confirms Name of Preserved Body
Little was previously known about Willie beyond his Irish heritage. Now, after extensive review of historical documents, Auman Funeral Home has confirmed his true name. Funeral director Kyle Blankenbiller said, “We don’t refer to him as a mummy—we refer to him as our friend Willie. He has become a storied part of Reading’s history.”
City Honors Stoneman Willie During Reading’s 275th Celebration
The burial coincided with Reading’s 275th anniversary celebrations. Residents paraded through the streets with Willie’s coffin displayed on a hearse trailer, highlighting his unusual but significant role in the city’s cultural heritage.
Proper Burial Held for Mummified Man After 128 Years
Following a final public display, Stoneman Willie was interred with full respect. His real name was engraved on his headstone, bringing closure to one of the most unusual funerary stories in American history. His case remains referenced in studies of funeral science and preservation.
