Funeral Service Foundation Welcomes New Trustees and Elects Executive Committee for 2024-2025
The Funeral Service Foundation’s Board of Trustees welcomed four new trustees and elected its 2024-25 executive committee at its meeting held during the NFDA International Convention & Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Funeral Service Foundation’s volunteer board consists of dedicated funeral directors and allied professionals who serve together to advance the Foundation’s mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.
Voted onto the board in July were Jimmy Altmeyer of Altmeyer Funeral Homes; Tyler Anderson of Precoa; and Leili McMurrough of Worsham College of Mortuary Science; the three began serving the first of two three-year terms at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting on October 19, 2024. NFDA President-elect Daniel Ford, of Alderson Ford Funeral Homes, Inc. also began serving his term as NFDA Liaison at the meeting.
2024-25 Executive Committee (l-r): NFDA Liaison Dan Ford, Immediate Past Chair Mark Krause, Chair John Heald, Chair-elect Jeff Smith, Treasurer David Falconer
Additionally, the Foundation’s board elected its new executive committee. John Heald, general manager of the Funeral Home Channel at Legacy.com, will serve as Board Chair. “It is with humility and gratitude that I assume the role of board chair to the Foundation,” said Heald. “My hope is to continue the great work of the Foundation, our dedicated board and committee members, from past and present, who ensure that the Foundation continues to make an impact in funeral service and in the communities we serve.”
The Foundation’s Board also elected Jeff Smith, President of Smith Family Funeral Homes in Arkansas, as Chair-elect. David Falconer, senior vice-president, Funeral and Cemetery Trust Division Manager at Regions Bank, was re-elected as Treasurer. Mark Krause, of Krause Funeral Homes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will serve as Immediate Past Chair and Daniel Ford who will replace Chris Robinson of Robinson Funeral Homes in Easley, SC as the NFDA liaison.
The Foundation wishes to thank new Trustees Emeriti Mark Krause and Chris Robinson for their years of service and leadership on the Board. The Foundation congratulates Mr. Robinson as the new NFDA President.
2024-25 Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees | Bottom Row, l-r: Leili McMurrough, NFDA Liaison Dan Ford, Immediate Past Chair Mark Krause, Chair John Heald, Chair-elect Jeff Smith, Treasurer David Falconer, Kathy Kelley. Top Row, l-r: Bryant Hightower, Tyler Anderson, Carmalita March-Harris, Lisa Baue, John Faulk, Will Bischoff, NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, Matt Outcalt, Jimmy Lucas, Tim Schramm, Jenn Parvin, Jimmy Altmeyer. Not pictured: W. Ashley Cozine, David Hernandez, Todd Lumbard, Thomas Pontone.
24th Annual Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic held at TPC Louisiana
As the sun rises over TPC Louisiana, Golf Classic golfers warm up on the driving range.
On a beautiful October Sunday at TPC Louisiana, over 130 golfers gathered to kick off the 24th annual Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic. Held annually in conjunction with the NFDA International Convention & Expo, the Foundation’s Golf Classic serves as one of the unofficial “kick-off” events for the week.
The new Major Co-Benefactors were Service Corporation International (SCI) and the Foresight Companies at the $12,500 level with new Presenting Sponsor Wilbert Group at the $10,000 level. Premier Sponsors this year were: Batesville, Homesteaders Life Company, Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions, National Guardian Life Insurance Company, Passages International, Precoa, Regions Funeral and Cemetery Trust, and Ring Ring Marketing, who each contributed $5,000 to the event. Along with many sponsors and golfers, the event raised close to $170,000 for the Foundation’s programs and resources.
“We deeply appreciate the ongoing support from our sponsors, participants, and volunteers, who play a vital role in the success of this event,” stated Will Bischoff, Chair of the Fund Development Committee of the Funeral Service Foundation. “The funds raised are not only crucial for supporting funeral services, but this event also provides a wonderful opportunity to connect and enjoy time with friends across our profession.”
TPC Louisiana, a 5-star venue and designated PGA Tour stop was a perfect setting for golfers of all abilities to socialize and catch up with old friends and colleagues and meet some new ones. With a scramble format and different contests such as closest to the pin and long drive, the day’s winners included:
2024 Funeral Service Foundation Classic Scramble:
- 1st Place: Batesville (John Parlapiano, Jenn Parvin, Chris Trainor, Jim Tully)
- 2nd Place: NGL (Cameron Black, John Harris, David Holm, Mason Trimble)
Closest to the Pin Contest:
- Men’s: Lance Ray
- Women’s: Michele Thiry
Longest Drive Contest:
- Men’s Division: Beau Mothe
- Women’s Division: Daelyn Schellhaas, Leslie Smith
Putting Contest Raffle Winner: Michael Schoedinger
$10,000 Putting Contest Finalist: Adam Shaffer
SCI and Foresight served as the new Major Co-Benefactors of the Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic. To welcome guests, John Faulk of SCI (above left) and Chris Cruger (above center) kicked off the big event with Fund Development Chair Will Bischoff. On the right, new Presenting Sponsor Wilbert stops around the turn to grab lunch mid-day.
Foundation Highlights Impact and Celebrates 2024’s Major Donors
At the NFDA’s International Convention and Expo Opening Ceremony, held on Monday, October 21, newly inducted chair of the Funeral Service Foundation’s Board of Trustees, John Heald took to the stage to share the impact of the Foundation including recent funds raised and distributed for the Foundation’s Crisis Response Fund.
Foundation Development Committee Chair, Will Bischoff joined Heald on stage to honor and recognize the generosity of the foundation’s major donors in 2024 – Homesteaders Life Company, the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic, Physicians Mutual, and Legacy.com – who have each made a pledge or contributed $100,000 in 2024.
Heald also thanked Service Corporation International’s (SCI) $212,500 contribution in 2024 and cumulative giving of more than $1.5 million to the Foundation’s mission, as well as thanked Global Atlantic and Precoa who have made a continued substantial commitment to the Foundation, along with many donors who entrust the Foundation in making a positive impact for the future of funeral service.
Tom Johnson Posthumously Awarded Foundation’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award
On the evening of October 21, more than 350 of the Foundation’s donors, along with current and past trustees and volunteers, attended the invitation-only Donor Reception, underwritten by Global Atlantic Financial Group for the eleventh straight year.
Hosted by Mark Krause, the Foundation’s Immediate Past Chair, more than 20 major donors were recognized including Homesteaders, the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic Golf Tournament, Physicians Mutual, Service Corporation International, all at the $100,000+ level. Precoa was also recognized for their pledge of $50,000 this past year. Those supporting the Foundation this past year with gifts and pledges of $10,000 or more were honored and recognized with ceremonial checks displayed throughout the room.
Jake Johnson honors his father, Tom Johnson, the 2024 Funeral Service Foundation Distinguished Service Award recipient.
The evening culminated with the Foundation’s presentation of its Distinguished Service Award, given posthumously this year to Tom Johnson, founder of Prime Succession and Johnson Consulting, a former member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and founder of the Memorial Classic Golf Tournament, now called the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic. Former Foundation Trustee, Jake Johnson spoke about his father’s positive impact on funeral service as a friend and mentor to so many.
The Foundation extends it thanks to The Messenger Co. in helping to memorialize Tom during the evening with a portrait on display on stage and in printing memorial and donation cards with one of Tom’s favorite quotes: “It’s about relationships.”
Foundation Past Chair Bob Arrington conducts a paddle-raise auction for the new Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship.
Former Foundation Chair Bob Arrington then hosted the Foundation’s mission moment and paddle raise for the Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund with pledges and gifts reaching $135,000. This fully endowed academic scholarship will be presented to students in accredited mortuary science degree programs in 2025.
Fundraising for this special scholarship continues; to make a donation to the Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship please visit: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/donate-tom-johnson/.
NGL’s Jennifer Kaset (center) and Foundation Trustee Jimmy Altmeyer (foreground) place their bids in the paddle raise auction.
“We are thankful and appreciative of the generous pledges and donations we received on such a special evening, this speaks to the dedication of our wonderful donors and volunteers.” said John Heald, Chair of the Foundation. “The record amount raised in memory of Tom Johnson speaks to his legacy and impact on funeral service. The future recipients of the Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship will serve as a testament to Tom’s impact in our profession.”
The Funeral Service Foundation wishes to thank host association, the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association for its most generous gift of $10,000 that will be used for scholarships and educational support. Additionally, the Foundation thanks Funeral Services of Iowa (FSI), for their generous $10,000 contribution to the Foundation’s Crisis Response Fund, that will be used to help respond to the needs of funeral service professionals affected by man-made and natural disasters.
The Louisiana Funeral Directors Association and Funeral Service of Iowa (FSI) each made $10,000 donations to the Funeral Service Foundation at the Donor Reception.
Foundation Recognizes Scholarship Recipients
The Funeral Service Foundation’s investment in funeral service scholarships and professional development opportunities was highlighted at the 2024 All Star Recognition Ceremony held on Monday, October 21. Annually, the Foundation awards hundreds of individuals with the opportunity to attend accredited mortuary science programs throughout North America, and professional development opportunities such as NFDA’s Professional Women’s Conference, National Emerging Leaders Program and Meet the Mentors as well as the national conventions for the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the Cremation Association of North America, and the National Funeral Directors Association.
Tim Schramm, Foundation Grants Committee Chair; honored and recognized scholarship recipients at the event. This year, the foundation awarded 24 individuals who had their registration fees and accommodations to attend the NFDA’s International Convention and Expo underwritten by the foundation. Also recognized were recipients of scholarships and the professional development programs supported by the Foundation.
Click HERE to view the full list of 2024 NFDA Convention and Expo recipients.
The Foundation awarded 24 scholarships to the 2024 NFDA international Convention & Expo. The scholarship recipients celebrate with the Foundation team.