retired funeral director and owner, Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, Yoakum, Texas, died January 2, 2026, at age 89.

He attended St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, and graduated from Commonwealth College of Science in Houston, Texas. He worked for more than 60 years as a funeral director, beginning at Buffington Funeral Home in Yoakum.

Thiele was a member of both the Knights of Columbus and Lion’s Club for more than 65 years. He was involved with the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce (from which he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991) and Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church.

Thiele is survived by wife Mildred; sons Kermit Jr., David and Michael; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

retired funeral director and owner, Baggott and Schacht Mortuary, Anaheim, California, and past president, California Funeral Directors Association, died December 28, 2025, at age 81.

Schacht began his career at Hilgenfeld Mortuary. He then partnered with Don Baggott to create what would become Baggott and Schacht Mortuary. The company eventually joined the Service Corporation International family.

He was a member of the Lion’s Club and Anaheim Convention Center Authority Board, as well as an elder at Anaheim First Christian Church.

Schacht is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Naegele, Kleb & Ihlendorf Funeral Home, Norwood, Ohio, died December 10, 2025, at age 85.

Naegele served in the military during the Vietnam War and as Norwood Civil Service Commissioner for many years. He belonged to numerous organizations, including the Norwood Moose, Norwood Eagles, Shamrock Club, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post #123, Masonic Lodge #576, Knights of Columbus, Valley of Cincinnati A.A.S.R., Shriners and Kolping.

Naegele is survived by daughters Michelle and Lisa; grandchildren Ben and Matthew; and Linda Haines, who was by his side for the last 25 years.

retired funeral director and former owner, Ricker Funeral Home, Woodsville, New Hampshire, and past president, New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, died December 28, 2025, at age 82.

House graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and worked for Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Vermont. He then moved to Woodsville to begin his career at Ricker Funeral Home. Notably, in 1968, he was part of recovery efforts following a tragic airplane crash on Moose Mountain.

House is survived by wife Paula, son Christopher, daughter Kimberly, and granddaughters Lilly and Lucy.

retired funeral director and owner, Ewing Funeral Home, Clarion, Iowa, died November 4, 2025, at age 80.

Ewing served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam. Following his military service, he pursued his education at Milwaukee Area Technical College. His first job was at Powers Funeral Home. The Ewing family then moved to Britt, Iowa, where Ewing worked for Carter Funeral Home. This firm later became Ewing Funeral Home and Monument Company – the first of a series of acquisitions over the years.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on a variety of church committees, as well.

Ewing is survived by wife Rickee Jo, sons Christopher and Michael, and grandsons Corrigan and Caelan.

retired funeral director and owner, Baird Funeral Home, Troy, Ohio, and father of funeral director Tamara Baird, also of Baird Funeral Home, died December 2, 2025, at age 95.

Baird served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning from service, he attended Marietta College and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. His first position was at Irvin-Deeter Funeral Home, which later was renamed Baird Funeral Home. He worked there for more than 60 years. He served as president of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, district governor of NFDA and board chair of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He and his wife were named “Distinguished Citizens” by the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce in 2005.

Baird was a longtime member of and volunteer for First United Methodist Church, as well as a past co-leader of Let’s Go Travel Ministry. Over the years, he served in roles with the Troy Noon Optimist Club, Franklin Lodge #14 F.&A.M., Franklin Chapter #24 R.A.M., Franklin Council #14 R.&S.M., Coleman Commandery #17 K.T., Antioch Shrine Temple, Miami County Shrine Club, Order of Eastern Star Chapter #256, Miami County Men’s Republican Club, Troy Elks Lodge #833, Troy Museum Corp, Troy Board of Education and Upper Valley Joint Vocational School Boards, Upper Valley Non-Profit Charitable Corp, Miami County Unit of the American Red Cross, Troy Recreation Board, Miami County Fair Board, and Third Federal Savings & Loan Board of Directors. Baird also raised Percheron horses and provided horse teams for many parades and events.

Baird is survived by wife Ann; children Mark, Tami and Brent; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

co-owner and funeral director, Essex Funeral Home, DeWitt, Arkansas, died September 14, 2025, at age 74.

Essex served in the U.S. Navy aboard a submarine. After his discharge, he lived in New England, then graduated from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science. He ultimately joined the family business in Arkansas, where he and his brother were third-generation funeral directors.

For many years, he was active on the South Arkansas County Fine Arts Council, and he served on the DeWitt City Council and South Arkansas County Library Board. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and member of DeWitt Rotary Club, where he served as president. He was a lifelong member of DeWitt Methodist Church and sang tenor in the Chancel Choir for most of his life.

Essex is survived by children Tim, Tonya and Elizabeth; and grandchildren Alister and Rachel.

licensed funeral director and insurance agent, Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home, Monticello, Arkansas, died October 4, 2025, at age 76.

Arrington started his career at Henderson Funeral Home and then Stephenson Funeral Home before he went on to work for Tenner Funeral Home and Montgomery Funeral Home in Louisiana. He later returned to Monticello to work for Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. He received numerous Selected Funeral & Life Insurance Company awards for insurance sales over the years. Arrington was a lifelong member of Pilgrim Rest AME Church.

Arrington is survived by wife Gwendolyn; children Ramona, Teressa, Kiwanda, Latreasha and Tamara; 11 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

funeral director, past president and CEO, Bonney Watson Inc., and past president, Washington State Funeral Directors Association, died November 14, 2025, at age 63.

Smock first worked at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, Washington. He then joined Bonney Watson, where he served for 36 years. Throughout his career, Smock held leadership roles on several boards, including those for the Rotary Club; Seattle Executives Association; Washington Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association; and Washington State Funeral Directors Association. He also served as a board member and past chair for the Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Licensing Board.

Smock is survived by wife Shannon; children Geoff, Alex and Kirsten; stepchildren Kate Van Tighem and Matt Hisken; and four grandchildren.

funeral director, Solimine Funeral Homes, Lynn, Massachusetts, died October 25, 2025, at age 77.

Sullivan was a graduate of the New England Institute. He also attended Boston State College and community college in New York. Sullivan worked for Landergan Funeral Home in Lynn, Massachusetts, and J.S. Waterman & Sons in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sullivan was an Army veteran and served in the Army Reserve from 1966 to 1972. He was also a Department of the Army civilian in the 1960s and ’70s. He was a member of Swampscott Post 57 American Legion and a past president of Wyoma Lions Club.

Sullivan is survived by wife Barbara, son Sam, stepson Brian Paone and eight grandchildren.