Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
We have over 60 years of experience caring for families in the Eustis, Umatilla, Mount Dora, Tavares, Sorrento and Zellwood area, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.

Clarence E. Harden and Albert Layton co-founded the Layton-Harden Funeral Home of Eustis in 1958. Their goal was to provide the residents with excellence in funeral services. The first service ever conducted was on August 17, 1958 for Oscar William Henn, a prominent longtime Resident of Eustis. When Layton-Harden Funeral Home opened, they also ran a 24-hour ambulance service, serving the Central Florida area. This was a common practice that Funeral Homes fulfilled. Clarence, his wife Dorothy, and daughter Kathy lived at the Funeral Home, so they could attend to the needs of all families around the clock.

In the Mid-1960’s, State Road 19 also known as Bay Street was widened from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. When the state zoned which property was to be used for the expansion, it was decided that the east side would be used for all right of ways and expansion. This in essence cut the Funeral Home chapel by about 1/3 and left no front lawn.

In 1966 Clarence purchased the interest in the Funeral Home from Al Layton and renamed it to Clarence E. Harden Funeral Home. It was changed a few years later to Harden Funeral Home. In 1971 the Funeral Home had it’s largest and most extensive remodeling to date. A 4-car Garage, new entrance, Lobby and 2nd floor living quarters were added. In 1981, a new garage was then built onto the backend of the Funeral Home because the 4-car Garage has been slowly remodeled for offices and to make room for a new casket display room to help meet the ongoing needs of a growing business.

Mr. Harden introduced to Lake County residents: Itemized pricing of services years before it was required by the U. S. Federal Trade Commission, crematable caskets, and prepaid funeral services funded by Life Insurance. Harden/Pauli Funeral Home is a charter stockholder of Funeral Services, Inc. pre-need trust company, a member by invitation of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a charter member of the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Clarence Harden
Co-Founder, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer (1929-2014)
Clarence Harden was born and raised in Montverde, to the late Clarence E. Sr. & Margaret Harden, he was a lifelong resident of Lake County. He graduated Clermont High School and from the Cincinnati College of Embalming in 1954. He and Albert Layton co-founded Layton Harden Funeral Home of Eustis in 1958, becoming Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in 1982. He was a very active member and Deacon Emeritus of Bay Street Baptist Church, Eustis. Clarence was also a member of the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce, V.F.W., American Legion, Elks and Masonic Lodges, all of Eustis. He served his country in the US Army during Korea. He passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Dorothy Ann Harden
Co-Founder (1934-2022)
Dorothy Ann Harden was born in Apopka and grew up in Central Florida. She and her late husband, Clarence, co-founded the Funeral Home in 1958. Dorothy enjoyed volunteering at Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis. Dorothy and Clarence had two daughters and one grandson. She passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

Lance Pauli
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Lance Pauli was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Port Charlotte, Florida as a young child. He graduated from Charlotte High School and attended Miami-Dade Community College earning an Associate in Science Degree in Funeral Service Education in 1980. That same year Lance joined the Harden Funeral Home staff and became a partner in 1982 of Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Eustis. Lance and his wife, Betty reside in Umatilla and have two sons and six grandchildren. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.

Betty Pauli
Funeral Assistant
Betty Pauli was born in Harlan, Kentucky and moved to Lake County in 1965. She retired after working as a beautician for 33 years. Betty and her husband, Lance, have two sons and six grandchildren. She is a Funeral Assistant.

Mark Taylor
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Mark Taylor was born in Panama City, Florida and moved to Eustis in 1974 as a young child. After graduating from Eustis High School, he attended Lake-Sumter Community College and then Miami-Dade Community College earning an Associate in Science Degree in Funeral Service in 1993. He joined the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Staff in 1991. Mark has one son. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.

Steven Roundtree
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Steven Roundtree was born in Eustis, Florida and has been a resident of Lake County his entire life. After graduating from Tavares High School, he attended St. Petersburg College earning an Associate in Science in Funeral Services in 2002. Steve joined the Harden/Pauli Staff in 1998. Steve and his wife, Tiffany have 2 sons and a macaw parrot. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.

Bobby Crossman
Funeral Director
Bobby Crossman is a lifelong resident of Eustis and Lake County. After graduating from Eustis High School in 1963, he graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and Gupton Jones Mortuary Schools in 1970. Bobby is a US Air Force veteran serving in both Vietnam and Thailand. He and his wife Wendy enjoy time with their children and grandchildren. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.

Shawn Haag
Pre-Need Counselor
Shawn F. Haag grew up in Indianapolis Indiana where he married his lovely wife, Laurie in 1983. After serving in the Hospital Corps of the United States Navy, Shawn began his career in the Cemetery and Funeral industry in 1977. Moving to Howey in The Hills Florida in 1997, he served as a Family Service Manager for several Funeral Homes and Cemeteries and was honored to join the Harden/Pauli team as their Family Service Advisor in 2017. Shawn holds both a Florida Pre-Need Funeral Arrangers license and Florida Life & Annuities insurance license.

Shanon Burke
Administrative Assistant
Shanon Burke was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She and her husband, Jay, moved to Florida shortly after their wedding in 1994. They have one son, two dogs and a snake. Shanon joined the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Staff in 2023 as the Administrative Assistant.

Rev. Darrell Reynolds
Funeral Assistant
Reverend Darrell Reynolds was born in Leesburg, Florida and has been a resident of Lake County his entire life other than 3 years of Military Service. He has been a minister since 1974 for Lake County Residents. Darrell joined the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Staff in 2003. Darrell and his wife, Linda have four children, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is a Funeral Assistant.

Garry Hirsch
Funeral Assistant
Garry Hirsch was born in Camrose, Alberta, Canada and has been a resident of Lake County since 1990. Garry joined the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Staff in 2011. Garry and his wife Maxine have four children and five grandchildren. He is a Funeral Assistant.

Bailey Hubbard
Funeral Assistant
Bailey Hubbard was born in Eustis, Florida and has lived here his entire life. He is currently enrolled in Lake Sumter State College, getting his associates degree, to later get a degree in marketing. Bailey joined the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Staff in 2022. He is a Funeral Assistant.

Sebastian Jones
Funeral Assistant
Sebastian Jones was born in Bedford Texas. He has been a resident of Lake County since 2006. Sebastian is looking to further his education and become a Licensed Funeral Director. Sebastian joined the Harden/Pauli Staff in 2023. He is a funeral assistant.

Landon English
Funeral Assistant
Landon English was born in Tavares, Florida and has been a resident of Lake County his entire life. He is currently a high school student, dual enrolling at Lake Sumter State College. Landon joined the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Staff in 2021. He is a Funeral Assistant.

Bob Moulden
Funeral Assistant
Bob Moulden was born in Jacksonville, Florida and has been a resident of Eustis since 1981. After graduating from Lakeland Senior High School and Santa Fe Community College, he enlisted and is a U.S. Navy Veteran. Bob is a retired Business Owner. He and his wife, Glenda have 2 sons, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He joined the Harden/Pauli Staff in 2010. He is a Funeral Assistant

Luverne Monroe Turner
Funeral Assistant
Luverne Monroe Turner was born near Headland, Alabama and moved to Lake County in 1943. She graduated from Umatilla High School. She worked for over 23 years for B.E. Dillard Grove Service and then for 13 years she worked with T.G. Lee Foods. She began working with Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in 1990 as a Preneed Agent. Luverne has one daughter. She is a Funeral Assistant.

Gail Roundtree
Hairdresser
Gail Roundtree was born in Paintsville, Kentucky and moved to Florida in 1963. She became the Hairdresser for Harden Funeral Home in 1975 and continues today to be the Hairdresser for Harden/Pauli Funeral Home. Gail and her husband, Lintard have one son.

Teda Smith
Organist
Teda Smith was born in West Virginia and moved here when she was 6 months old. She began playing the Organ for the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in mid 1970's and continues today to play for Harden/Pauli Funeral Home. Teda and her husband, Bob have two children.
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