Our Story

Six Generations and Almost 160 Years of Service

A Tradition Rooted in Ballwin Since 1868

Located in the west St. Louis suburb of Ballwin, Schrader Funeral Home & Crematory is proud to be St. Louis’ oldest family-owned funeral home. Founded in 1868 by George Frederick Schrader just a few hundred yards east of our present location, the funeral home has remained closely tied to the community it serves for more than six generations.

As Ballwin grew from a small rural settlement into a thriving community of more than 31,000 residents, Schrader Funeral Home grew alongside it—supported by generations of local families who placed their trust in our care. That enduring partnership between family and community continues to shape who we are today.

 
George Frederick Schrader (1817–1897)
Founder

George Frederick Schrader immigrated to the Ballwin area from Hanover, Germany, in 1846. Two years later, he married Wilhelmina Ries, also a native of Hanover, and together they raised seven children. A skilled carpenter and furniture maker, Frederick naturally extended his craft on June 2, 1868, when he began building coffins for his neighbors.

What began as a practical service soon grew into something more. Before long, Frederick and his son William were not only crafting burial cases, but also providing horse-drawn hearses and carriages for funerals—all while continuing to operate the family furniture business. In this way, the foundation was laid for a funeral home built on craftsmanship, service, and care for the community.

William Schrader (1856–1926)
Second Generation

William Schrader joined his father in the family business in the late 1800s and married Caroline Maid in 1882. Together, they raised seven children, one of whom would continue the family’s undertaking tradition.

As the profession evolved, William remained at the forefront of innovation. In the early 1910s, he crafted a custom hearse body for a motorized vehicle. A 1914 newspaper article described the motor hearse as “one of the finest in the county.” His commitment to professional excellence was equally notable—William graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Embalming in 1897 and the Champion College of Embalming, receiving Missouri embalmer license No. 432 on May 13, 1899.

In 1910, William and his family relocated the business to its present Ballwin location when the original building was sold to the Ballwin Mutual Telephone Company. His son, Harry F. W. Schrader, joined the business in 1920, and the firm became known as William Schrader & Son Undertaking Company.

Harry F. Schrader (1888–1976)
Third Generation

The third generation of Schrader funeral directors was led by Harry F. Schrader. Alongside his wife, Ethel, Harry guided the business through a period of remarkable transformation—growing from a modest family operation in the 1920s into a full-service, high-volume funeral home by the time of his retirement in the late 1960s.

Harry was known throughout the community for his quiet kindness and gentle nature. He could often be found tending the vegetable and flower gardens or caring for the fishpond on the west side of the funeral home—so much so that those unfamiliar with him often assumed he was simply the gardener. Always ready with a warm smile, a good story, and a willingness to help, Harry earned deep respect across the region.

His two children, Ruth and Harold “Skip” Schrader, would go on to carry the family’s legacy into the next generation, continuing the tradition of compassionate service established nearly a century earlier.

Ruth Schrader Arft (1921–2014) & Harold A. “Skip” Schrader (1927–2023)
Fourth Generation

Brother and sister Harold A. “Skip” Schrader and Ruth Schrader Arft, children of Harry Schrader, proudly carried the family legacy into its fourth generation as owners and licensed funeral directors. Ruth’s husband, Henry “Hank” Arft (1922–2002)—a former professional baseball player with the St. Louis Browns—played an active role in the business for more than 50 years, serving families with dedication until his passing in 2002.

Under Skip and Ruth’s steady leadership, the once small-town funeral home experienced significant growth while remaining deeply rooted in personal care. To meet the needs of the community, major building additions were completed in 1953, 1963, 1975, and 1990. In 2006, the firm expanded further with the purchase of an existing funeral home in Eureka, Missouri, along with the addition of the Schrader Family Center reception area and an on-site crematory at the Ballwin location.

Peggy Arft-Goethe (1956–2022) & Steven A. Schrader
Fifth Generation

The fifth generation continued the family’s tradition of service through Steven A. Schrader, son of Skip Schrader, and Dennis Goethe, husband of the late Peggy Arft-Goethe, daughter of Ruth and Hank Arft. Along with Steve’s wife, Cathy, they remain actively involved in the management and daily operations of the funeral homes.

In 2025, Steve and Dennis began an expansion and enhancement of the Schrader Family Center, increasing reception seating and expanding the crematory—continuing the family’s commitment to thoughtful growth while meeting the evolving needs of the families they serve.

Jennifer Schrader Holmes
Sixth Generation

The Schrader legacy proudly continues with Jennifer Schrader Holmes, daughter of Steve and Cathy Schrader, representing the sixth generation of family involvement. As the Ballwin location’s receptionist, Jenny is often the first point of contact—her warm, welcoming voice providing comfort and guidance to families when they need it most.


Though expanded and improved over the years, the Ballwin funeral home remains in the same building first established in 1910. Today, just as it has for generations, Schrader Funeral Home continues to be guided by the same principles of compassionate service, family stewardship, and deep commitment to the community.