About Us

The funeral home in Ely Nevada was founded in September 1908 under the name of Wilson-Bates Mortuary. The founders, Mr. Wilson and O.G Bates, established the mortuary in conjunction with their furniture store, which was common at that time. Coffins were made and displayed in the Wilson-Bates Furniture Store and the staff of the furniture store would assist in the funeral services as needed at the Wilson-Bates Mortuary.

The original mortuary was located on Aultman Street from 1908 until 1929. In 1929 the new building on Mill Street was dedicated and the mortuary remains there today.

O.G. Bates, a local Banker, owned the mortuary until 1971 when George Alfred (“G.A”) Rogers purchased it and leased the establishment to his son-in-law, Barclay (“Barc”) Oliver. In 1977, still operating under the name of Wilson-Bates Mortuary, the funeral home was sold to Richard (Rick) and Judy Shields who owned and operated the business until 2011. During that time, in 1997, Mr. and Mrs. Shields changed the name to the current title of Mountain Vista Chapel.

In 2011, Mr. Shields made the decision to retire and sold the funeral home to the families of Kevin Stiles and Dan Roberts of Janus Advisors in Chico California. The funeral home is locally managed by Funeral Director Nicole Romero who was born and raised in Ely and who worked with Mr. Shields at the mortuary for over 15 years. Ms. Romero is assisted by Jamie Noyes, Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director, also raised in Ely. William “Laine” Hendrix, another lifetime local, helps out as needed.