Joel Fitzgerald
Former Owner
Joel was a lifetime resident of Ness City and grew up in the funeral industry having worked with his father, Bryan, and his mother, Jennie. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.
Joel proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was a member of Ness City American Legion and the Ransom Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and Rotary International. Joel loved to serve and help families in any way he could. The Joel and his wife Ann, legacy owners of Schmitt Funeral Home and Fitzgerald Funeral Home, have two children, Heather and Joel, and 6 grandchildren.
Joel passed away on June 23, 2018, and his wife, Ann, followed on November 11, 2025. Together, they leave a lasting legacy of faith, trust, and dedication to both Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Schmitt Funeral Homes.
Joel Fitzgerald
Former Owner
Joel was a lifetime resident of Ness City and grew up in the funeral industry having worked with his father, Bryan, and his mother, Jennie. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.
Joel proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was a member of Ness City American Legion and the Ransom Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and Rotary International. Joel loved to serve and help families in any way he could. The Joel and his wife Ann, legacy owners of Schmitt Funeral Home and Fitzgerald Funeral Home, have two children, Heather and Joel, and 6 grandchildren.
Joel passed away on June 23, 2018, and his wife, Ann, followed on November 11, 2025. Together, they leave a lasting legacy of faith, trust, and dedication to both Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Schmitt Funeral Homes.
Joel Fitzgerald II
Funeral Director-Embalmer
Joel II is the third generation Fitzgerald in funeral service. Joel has followed in his father's footsteps and feels very fortunate to have such a model to follow. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in San Francisco, California. Joel served on the mission field for three years in Quito and Shell, Ecuador as a science and math teacher. After returning to Kansas Joel taught 7th grade science for three more years. Joel II, manager of Fitzgerald Funeral Home has been working with his dad since 2000. Joel II and his wife, Judy, have three sons, Elijah, Isaiah, and Silas.
Joel Fitzgerald II
Funeral Director-Embalmer
Joel II is the third generation Fitzgerald in funeral service. Joel has followed in his father's footsteps and feels very fortunate to have such a model to follow. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in San Francisco, California. Joel served on the mission field for three years in Quito and Shell, Ecuador as a science and math teacher. After returning to Kansas Joel taught 7th grade science for three more years. Joel II, manager of Fitzgerald Funeral Home has been working with his dad since 2000. Joel II and his wife, Judy, have three sons, Elijah, Isaiah, and Silas.
Mark Durham
Funeral Director
Mark grew up on a farm outside of Stratford, Texas. Mark graduated from Stratford High School, Wayland Baptist University, and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. When Mark first moved to Kansas, he was the pastor of First Baptist Church in Jetmore. Mark was also asked to become the pastor of First Baptist Church in Bazine. Mark moved to Ness County in 2014 so that he would be closer to his church in Bazine. Mark is currently the pastor of the St. Paul Congregational Church in Bazine and the United Presbyterian Church in Jetmore. In June of 2016, Mark started helping Joel II at Fitzgerald Funeral Home. Mark and his wife, Anissa, have 5 children, Bryan, Kelly, Malachi, Benjamin and Sadie.
Mark Durham
Funeral Director
Mark grew up on a farm outside of Stratford, Texas. Mark graduated from Stratford High School, Wayland Baptist University, and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. When Mark first moved to Kansas, he was the pastor of First Baptist Church in Jetmore. Mark was also asked to become the pastor of First Baptist Church in Bazine. Mark moved to Ness County in 2014 so that he would be closer to his church in Bazine. Mark is currently the pastor of the St. Paul Congregational Church in Bazine and the United Presbyterian Church in Jetmore. In June of 2016, Mark started helping Joel II at Fitzgerald Funeral Home. Mark and his wife, Anissa, have 5 children, Bryan, Kelly, Malachi, Benjamin and Sadie.
