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History
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With our founding over one hundred and sixty years ago in 1842, Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel became the oldest business in St. Joseph, The oldest continually operating funeral home in Missouri and one of the oldest in the United States.
Our Funeral Home had its inception when David J. Heaton came from Cincinnati, Ohio in 1842 and located in Sparta, then the county seat of Buchanan County. Mr. Heaton, primarily a cabinet maker with an aptitude for casket building, serviced the caskets he built in the capacity of an arranger and director of funerals. With the coming of Mr. Joseph Robidoux, the community began to expand and when it was incorporated, Mr. Heaton then moved into the immediate area of the city and established a furniture/funeral business. The funeral home held several different locations thoughout the downtown area.
In 1881 David E. Heaton purchased the firm from his father. In 1913 it saw the merger with George J. Begole, The formation of Heaton-Begole Undertaking Company. In 1921 George J. Begole became president after the death of David E. Heaton, son of David J. Heaton. In 1927, Heaton-Begole & Bowman, Inc. was formed. In 1942 George J. Begole died and Frank A. Bowman, then acting manager, headed the company and the name was changed to Heaton-Bowman Funeral Home, with the Bowman family as the officers.
In June of 1956, The Smith family, Theron O. Smith, his brother Garth H. Smith and father Archie O. Smith purchased the Heaton-Bowman Funeral Home. In 1962, the Smith's purchased the H.O. Sidenfaden Funeral Home. Which was the second oldest funeral home in St. Joseph.
In November of 1968, a new facility was dedicated at 3609 Frederick Boulevard. It was named Heaton-Bowman East Chapel. In 1976 saw the consolidation of the three businesses into one at the East Chapel. The name was changed to the present Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.
In 1981, our firm was accepted into the Order of The Golden Rule, an organization of funeral establishments throughout the United States whose firm exemplify the highest standards of service and reputation in the community.
In 1983, the city's first crematory was put into operation on the premises of our funeral home.
On June 18, 1989, Garth H. Smith passed away. His son, Kent D. Smith continued on as President until his death on September 11, 1993. Following Kent's death, his wife, Judy and mother, Sally, assumed responsibilities as president and chairwoman of the board. Following her family's legacy, Kent and Judy's daughter, Kacee R. Smith, was the fourth generation to join the firm in 1998. She has since been named vice-president of the firm.
Throughout our long and noteworthy history, Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel has always strived to offer sincere and sympathetic service in a professional manner to St. Joseph and the surrounding communities we serve, symbolic of our motto "Caring In All That We Do". |
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3609 FREDERICK BLVD. ST. JOSEPH, MO 64506 (816)232-3355
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