The Staff of Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory

HAROLD A. "SKIP" SCHRADER
President and Co-owner

Skip is proud to be a fourth-generation family co-owner of Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory. Skip is semi-retired, but still maintains an active part in managing the funeral home. Skip and his wife, Daisy, live in Ballwin, and are often seen on the golf course at Forest Hills Country Club, where they are members. They enjoy traveling. Skip enjoys being active in the Bonhomme Lions Club.

RUTH SCHRADER ARFT
Executive Vice President and Co-owner

Ruth is the Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of the company, and a fourth-generation co-owner. Although Ruth is retired, she still keeps abreast of her family's business. She is still active in her church, St. John United Church of Christ of Manchester, where she's been a member all of her life.

Ruth is also a member of the Ladies Guild at St. John United Church of Christ and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Ruth's late husband, Hank Arft, was a fixture at Schrader Funeral Home for more than 50 years, and a former first baseman for the St. Louis Browns professional baseball club in the 1940s - 1950s.

STEVEN A. SCHRADER
Vice President

A fifth-generation family member active in the day-to-day affairs of the business, Steve, his wife Cathy and their daughters Jenny & Kelly live in a century-old Victorian home with their two dogs. In his free time, Steve enjoys carpentry, working on their home, fishing and the outdoors.

PEGGY ARFT-GOETHE
Vice President

Peggy is the daughter of Ruth Schrader Arft and the late Henry I. "Hank" Arft. Born into a funeral home family, she received her funeral director's license in 1981. Peggy lives in Ellisville with her husband, Dennis and their dogs, Dakota and Lacy. Peggy is an avid supporter of animal causes and is a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Manchester, MO, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the V.F.W.  Peggy is one of two fifth-generation family members involved in the business.

DENNIS GOETHE, CFSP, MBIE
Vice President

A native of Rolla, Missouri, Dennis has been with the Schrader for over 20 years.  He is a Certified Funeral Service Professional, a member of the British Institute of Embalmers, National Funeral Directors Association, Missouri Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association, Professional Car Society, and several other organizations.  Dennis is both a Missouri and Illinois licensed funeral director and embalmer, and a past president of the Missouri Funeral Directors & Embalmers Assoc.

Dennis and his wife, Peggy, live in Ellisville with their two dogs.  His hobbies include maintaining his collection of old funeral cars and webmastering.

CATHY SCHRADER
Administrative Assistant

Cathy is a native of St. Louis, and attended St. Louis University. She and her husband, Steve Schrader, are kept busy by the activities of raising their two daughters, Jenny and Kelly.

DAVID J. WANKO

January 20, 1954-August 13, 2011
Director of Embalming
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Dave is a native of St. Louis, MO and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 31 years. David graduated from Forest Park Community College of Mortuary Science in 1979 with honors and was class president. He also serves as an Embalming Practicum Instructor. Dave is also a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management. He has been with the Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory for over 30 years.

Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, Karen, daughter, Shelly, and his two Yorkie Terriers, Micki & Mandi. Outside of Missouri, Florida is his favorite place. Dave's favorite sport is NASCAR Winston Cup. He also enjoys his grandchildren Mason and Emerson. 

[Dave passed away on August 13, 2011 at the age of 57]

WILLIAM F. HAMMETT
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Bill began his Funeral Profession while in High School, working at his Cousin's Funeral Home in his home town. He graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 1976 with a degree in Mortuary Science.

Bill currently resides in Pacific, Missouri with his wife, Michelle. Bill has one son, a daughter, and a granddaughter.

He has been associated with Schrader Funeral Home since moving to the St. Louis area from Kansas in 1993. His duties include Embalming and Funeral Directing. In his spare time Bill enjoys reading, boating the Rams, Cardinals, Nascar, and being a Grandpa.

RYAN ZWYER
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Ryan was born and raised in the northwest part of Ohio. He moved to the St. Louis area in 1998. He currently resides in Barnhart, MO with his wife and two daughters. Ryan joined the Schrader Funeral Home Staff in 2000 working part-time as a greeter. In 2001 he graduated from St. Louis Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. At that time, Ryan received his funeral director and embalmers license through the state of Missouri and began working full-time for Schrader. He is involved in many aspects of the day to day operations of the Funeral Home.

Ryan is a founding member of Noble Masonic Lodge #684 and a member of the Moolah Shrine. In his free time, he enjoys playing softball and golf and watching every and any kind of sports on television.

BRIAN D. MARTIN
Funeral Director

Brian is a lifelong St. Louis native. He and his wife of 18 years, Christina and children Zachary and Briana currently reside in the south suburbs of St. Louis. He is a graduate of the Metro Christian Academy and attended Evangel College in Springfield, MO. Brian has been actively involved in the funeral service since 1991 and a licensed funeral director since 1994. Brian joined the Schrader Funeral Homes and Crematory staff in 2003.

In Brian's free time he enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle cross country with his father and younger brother, watching his children participate in high school athletics and spending time with his family in the beautiful outdoors of Missouri. Brian also enjoys pheasant and deer hunting with his son Zachary.

RICK HENRY
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Rick has been in the funeral profession since 1977 and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1980. He graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas. Rick joined the Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory staff in 1977. He has served in many different branches of funeral service, in management, as guest lecturer for civic organizations, and as a coordinator of workshops and special events. Rick has been active member in the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 32nd degree.

When Rick is not at work he enjoys collecting antiques and spending time with family and friends.

BRAD MARKEL
Funeral Director

Brad is a St. Louis native and resides in Wentzville with his wife and children. Brad has been active in the Funeral Service since 1992, and became a licensed Funeral Director in 1993. Brad joined the Schrader staff in 2004.

Brad finds great reward in assisting the families during their greatest time of need. He is an avid sports fan and especially enjoys Blues Hockey and Cardinals Baseball. In his spare time, Brad enjoys reading and spending time with his family.

TROY R. BRANT
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Troy Brant joined the Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory family in 2005 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Troy was born in Jacksonville Illinois and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1994 with a degree in Mortuary Science.

Troy and his wife Anna Marie currently lives in Freeburg, Illinois and enjoys going to Cardinal Baseball games and playing sports in his time off.

JORDAN FRICKE
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Jordan is a native of Hermann, MO. He joined the Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory staff late in 2004. In the spring of 2005 Jordan graduated from Forest Park Community College of Mortuary Science. He has been a licensed funeral director since 2005 and a licensed embalmer since 2006. Jordan respects the deep family roots and emphasis on community relationships found throughout the west county area, and he is proud to be a part of it.

Jordan is an avid sports fan and he appreciates live music as well as nature.

WILLIAM WEISSENBACH
Funeral Director

Bill is a native of Hermann Missouri, Bill joined the staff at Schrader in October of 2007. A United States Marine Corps. veteran who served at the direction of the White House Military office at the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, and was awarded the Presidential Service Badge. Interests include outdoors, family and traveling.

RICK WILSON
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Rick is a graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service and has been in the Funeral Industry since 1989.  He joined the Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory staff in 2008.  Rick, his wife Kris and their children Aaron and Alyssa live on a family farm in Farmington, MO, where he enjoys being outdoors and restoring old muscle cars.

JENNIFER OLIVER
Funeral Director

Jennifer has been in the funeral profession since 1994 as a licensed funeral director and certified prearrangement counselor. She joined Schrader Funeral Home staff in June of 2010.

She resides in Pacific with her husband Dennis, daughter Julia, and two dogs Nikky and Tobey. In her spare time she enjoys being the assistant volleyball coach for her daughters team at St. Bridget's of Kildare Catholic Church. She and her family attend First Baptist Church of Villa Ridge. She is a member of the Pacific Chamber of Commerce serving presently on the Executive Board of Directors, and is the past President of the Pacific Rotary Club and the Franklin County Cemetery Society. She enjoys volleyball, Cardinal baseball, softball, attending her daughter's sporting events and the outdoors.

Funeral Service is a passion of hers, only hoping to help those who have lost a loved one and guiding them through their decisions they must make during this time. Her daughter describes her job as "getting people ready to go see Jesus."

JOE SONDERMAN
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Joe is a native of Columbus, Ohio. Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, he moved to Cincinnati to attend The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He received a Bachelors of Mortuary Science degree in 2001, graduating Summa Cum Laude and serving as class Vice President.

Joe began his career as a death care professional in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he worked as a funeral director and embalmer. He also worked as a Tissue Recovery Specialist for the local Organ Procurement Agency and was the Manager of Autopsy Services at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Joe and his wife Sarah moved to St. Louis in 2008. They live in Creve Coeur with their dog Vegas. Joe is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys distance running, recently completing his first marathon. He also loves to travel, play and watch sports, and anything else with Sarah and Vegas.

JONATHAN BRUNS
Funeral Director

Jonathan is from Pacific, Mo where he was born and raised. He has been involved in the funeral business since a child working at his family's burial vault business. He joined the Schrader Funeral Home family in 2007. He has been a licensed funeral director since 2009.

When Jonathan is not at work he works as a career firefighter and also volunteers his time at St. Louis Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital as a child safety advocate. Jonathan and his wife currently live in Pacific, Mo.

MIKE GOLLON
Funeral Director/Clergy

Michael is a non-denominational minister, licensed Missouri funeral director. Michael is past Department(state of MO)Vice Commandant Marine Corps League, Past Detachment Commandant Marine Corps League-Ballwin, MO, past Senior Vice Pack (state of MO) Leader Devil Dogs, Senior Vice Pound Keeper Devil Dogs, and also a member of the American Legion of Manchester, MO. 

Michael other interest are animals especially dogs, and reading.

JON HUGHES
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Jon is from Farmington, MO where he developed an interest in the funeral profession by working for a local funeral home in High School. Jon attend Forest Park College in St. Louis where he obtained a degree in Mortuary Science, and is a Missouri licensed embalmer and funeral director. Jon joined the Schrader staff in the spring of 2011. He loves to be outdoors and is an avid sports fan, especially the Cardinals, Rams, and college basketball.

JAMES RENTZE
Preneed Counselor

JR has been a licensed funeral director since 1993 and joined the staff at Schrader in 2006. JR is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of both Truman State and Webster Universities. JR is married with one grown daughter and resides in St. Charles.

During off time JR enjoys traveling, especially to the Olympics, as well as the Blues and Rams and being a first-time grandpa.

NANCY A. DAVIS
Office Administrator

Nancy is a 1974 graduate of Lafayette High School in Ballwin. She attended Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting in 1978. Nancy came to the Schrader Funeral Home & Crematory in August 1984 to work in the office. In this capacity, Nancy helps process all the necessary paperwork for the family's funeral arrangements that Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory is privileged to serve.

Nancy now lives in the St. Charles area with her dog and two cats. She is a member of the Lafayette Church of Christ in Ballwin and a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

PEGGIE AVERY
Documents Coordinator 

Peggie Avery is a native of Kirkwood, MO and graduated from Webster College with a Bachelor of Music Education. She taught preschool and elementary music before becoming a Director/Administrator of three Early Childhood Centers. In 2000, Peggie joined the Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory staff as a greeter. After three years, a full time position as Documents Coordinator became available. Peggie is responsible for the filing of all death certificates. She has recently been named the Director of the Schrader Sunshine Club, a social support group for anyone who has suffered a loss. She coordinates the plans for luncheons and various day trips for the Sunshine Club.

Peggie is married to John Avery, also a staff member at the funeral home. They have for daughters, five grandchildren and two spoiled dog. Peggie is a docent at Faust Park, volunteering in the Historic Village, is a member of The St. Andrew's Society of Greater St. Louis, and a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

ANITA SUMPTER
Office Assistant

Anita has been with Schrader Funeral Home since 2001 working in the office. Living in Franklin County area most of her life, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Hobbies and interest include walking, reading and going to her granddaughters activities.

JOHN AVERY, MA, CT, CFSP, PFC
Grief Specialist

John Avery is a native of Wayne, Michigan. He holds a Master's Degree in education with extensive post-graduate work in counseling. He is also a Certified Thanatologist in Death, Dying & Bereavement, Certified Funeral Service Professional and a Certified Professional Family Counselor.

John was a funeral director for Schrader from 1986 until his retirement in 2004. He designed and implemented the aftercare program for Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory which includes working with families following a death, providing short-term therapy, resources and referrals. John is also a resource person to schools, churches, and community organizations and provides seminars on death and grief issues.

John is a former public school teacher, and a diaconal minister in the United Methodist Church. John has fifteen years experience in pastoral counseling, church music, and Educational Administration.

John and his wife, Peggie, live in Manchester Missouri. They have four grown daughters, five grandchildren and two dog. In his spare time, John enjoys reenacting as a Civil War undertaker/embalming surgeon. He is also active in the St. Andrew Scottish Society of Greater St. Louis, on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Tartan Day Festival, and is very involved in Manchester United Methodist Church.

DAVID COPELAND
Controller

Dave joined Schrader Funeral Home & Crematory in 2010. He is a graduate of Saint Louis University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining Schrader, he most recently served as CFO for a major St. Louis CPA firm. He is active as a volunteer in several community organizations, serving as Treasurer for both Voices For Children (St. Louis City CASA) and the St. Louis Children's Choirs. He is also a member of Ascension Council of the Knights of Columbus and serves as financial officer and business mentor for Habitat for Neighborhood Business. Dave and his wife Pam have twin daughters, Lauren and Carolyne, who are beginning their own careers. They live in Chesterfield, enjoying their pet dogs and cats, cooking and music and especially their family, friends and neighbors.

DALE HYDE
Greeter

CHUCK TRAMONT
Funeral Assistant/Greeter

Chuck is a graduate of Missouri Valley College with a degree in Secondary Education and English.

After teaching briefly in the Parkway School District, Chuck spent nearly 20 years managing Hotels for Sheraton Corporation and hospitality from Arizona to Maryland.

After returning to St. Louis and developing his own corporate catering company, Chuck returned to teaching junior high school in 2000. He joined the Schrader Family in 2005 as a part-time greeter and currently works in various support capacities.

Chuck enjoys spending time with his wife and grown children, trout fishing, assisting families with special needs at Schrader, and teaching To Kill a Mockingbird to 8th grade students.

JOE BANE
Funeral Assistant/Greeter

Joe lives in Eureka with his wife Bonnie. Joe keeps busy with mission trips to Mexico with his Church.

BONNIE BANE
Greeter

Bonnie is a member of our Eureka staff she stays busy with her children and granddaughter she is also very active with her church.

DEL NICHOLS
Funeral Assistant/Greeter

Del retired in August, 2003. He joined Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory in July 2008 as a part time driver and greeter. He enjoys retirement very much. He is active in the Knights of Columbus and represents Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory with the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. He also enjoys traveling, going out to dinner and spending time with family and friends.

DOUG BROWN
Removal Coordinator

Father of 4 with the youngest enrolled at Missouri University, Columbia as a Nursing Major. Wife Lisa teaches private piano lessons in our home in Wildwood. I am an avid reader, enjoy the great outdoors in any endeavor (especially golf) and am an strong advocate of physical fitness and healthy nutrition. Regarding the latter, my greatest achievement in the sport of Weightlifting was a finalist in the amateur Mr. Missouri contest (some 20-odd years ago...ahem) and still relish my 6-8 hours a week in gyms.

I have always been a people person, love interaction with anyone, am a 4th Degree member in the Knights of Columbus participating in its charitable pursuits and find my work at Schrader Funeral Home to be particularly rewarding in its supportive influence for family members.

HARRIET VAUCHER
Greeter

I have lived in the Eureka area since 1946. I have been associated with the Eureka Fire Protection District for over fifty years and working in the office since 1971.

I am active in the Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team and the Eureka Historical Society.

I am an avid sports fan with the St. Louis Cardinals being my favorite team and the St. Louis Rams, and St. Louis Blues coming in second and third. My hobby when I have time is ceramics.

JERRY SCHMIDT
Porter

Jerry and his wife enjoy traveling all around the country when they have time, and on nice weekend days and evenings they their 1957 Buick they take for nice long rides anywhere they want to go.

Jerry's interest include automotive and aviation history, and I enjoy hobbies relating to those subjects.

JIM DRISCOLL
Greeter

SI SUCHMANN
Funeral Assistant/Chauffeur

RICHARD RUIZ
Greeter

MARILYN LEISTNER
Greeter

Marilyn joined the Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory staff in 2006. She is a graduate of Sacred Heart Grade School in Valley Park and went to the school Sisters of Notre Dame in Lemay, Missouri. After two and a half years she left Notre Dame to assist her father in the care of three younger brothers. She continued her education and graduated from Ursuline Academy in Glendale, MO.

She was employed as a dental assistant, receptionist and office manager for twenty two year. Marilyn served as the last mayor of Times Beach and when the city was no longer a viable city she was appointed by Governor John Ashcroft to serve as the trustee for eight years. Her duties were to wind down the affairs of the city, control access and take title to the properties as they were acquired by the Federal Government.

She served on the Eureka Planning and Zoning Commission for 13 years and as an alderwoman for soon to be eight years. She is the current vice president of the Eureka Historical Society and is also a member of the Eureka CERT Team. She has always resided in West St. Louis County where she enjoys visits by her four children, daughter in law, son in laws and 7 wonderful grandchildren.

CHUCK PARRINO
Greeter

Chuck has been happily married for 39 years. His hobbies are day-trading and music. Chuck and his wife have three wonderful children, and three grand-children. They belong to Sacred Heart Parish in Valley Park.

Chuck has been a member of Schrader Funeral Home for seven years and enjoys helping families in their time of need.