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History of the Home Service Oil Company

Running a successful business takes intelligence and hard work, but it also requires good decision-making skills and perseverance. Since its incorporation on February 12, 1930 those have been the character traits of Home Service Oil Company.

With one tank wagon and one driver, Home Service Oil Co. began humbly in 1930, delivering heating oil and kerosene into customers’ homes using a five-gallon can. Ted Kohler was the primary stockholder in the beginning, and he ran the business out of his home in Antonia, Mo.

In 1946, Kohler sold the business to Del Blunk, who later entered a partnership with Elmer Mangelsdorf in 1953. Citing health reasons, Blunk decided to retire in 1957 and sold his half of the company to Mangelsdorf, the transaction that led Home Service Oil Co. to its current status today as a family business operating in Barnhart, Mo.

Elmer and his wife, Lillian, saw a great potential for the small company, which at the time operated only one small full-service gas station in Kohler City, Mo. In 1960, he started the Home Service Propane Gas Co. in response to the increase in use of propane as a heating fuel. Over 30 years later, the Mangelsdorf family sold the propane company, which had grown to service 5,000 active accounts, to Phillips 66 Propane Co.

In 1970, Home Service Oil Co. increased its focus on service stations and convenience stores by building the I-55 Motor Plaza in Pevely. The plaza offered full service for trucks and automobiles, as well as an adjoining 24-hour restaurant, "Robin Hood of the Highway." This original site was converted to a McStop, one of three in the country, in 1988. All original buildings were torn down, and in their place is now a McDonald’s Restaurant and a new 6,500-square-foot convenience store/truck stop.

The mid-1980s were rough years for the Home Service Oil Co. Elmer Mangelsdorf died in 1985, and his son, David Mangelsdorf, took his place as president. With only a few months to adjust to his new position, Mangelsdorf faced disaster.

On Christmas Day 1985, a fire destroyed the offices and most of the warehouse space at Home Service Oil Co. But the company refused to succumb. They set up shop in the basement of an empty church, where they continued to serve their customers while their offices were rebuilt at the original site.

After moving back to the new headquarters, David began an aggressive expansion of the company’s retail fueling facilities and convenience stores. Home Service Oil Co. now employs more than 150 people at the 15 "Express Mart" convenience stores and service stations located throughout Jefferson, St. Charles, Madison, Butler and St. Louis Counties.

In addition, Home Service Oil runs three tankwagon trucks for home and commercial delivery of heating oil and gasoline, and three transport trucks, 24 hours a day.

David is not the only family member who is dedicated to the success of Home Service Oil Co. Lillian Mangelsdorf, although officially retired, continues to help make decisions. She also thinks it is important to remain actively involved in the community that helps make Home Service Oil successful.

Sandra Overberg, David’s sister, is also an integral part of the company. Besides being the company secretary/treasurer, she also supervises Human Resources and handles Public Relations.

Hard work and determination dominate Home Service Oil Co.’s history. Surviving many changes and tests, the company has managed to grow and prosper for nearly 70 years. Along the way and into the future, Home Service Oil Co. remains dedicated to the company motto: "Service will always be our middle name."

Home Service Oil Company was featured in St. Louis Commerce magazine, June 1997, p. 42.

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For more information, call 1-800-467-5044 or email hsomail@homeserviceoil.com.