History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity. Stewart-Hoefer Funeral Home, Inc. is located in the original home of its founder. Much remodeling has been done to the 100 year-old building through the years and it continues to stand tall and proud.

Alfred H. Hoefer

Founded by Alfred H. Hoefer, and partnered with an uncle A.J. Nolting, the funeral home was run in conjunction with a furniture store first located at 1914 Main Street in downtown Higginsville. Charles G. Meinershagen later purchased Mr. Nolting's interest. This partnership was dissolved in 1941 and became known as A.H. Hoefer & Sons.

Things were done differently at the turn of the century. There was very little embalming done so most burials were held on the same day as the death. Family members prepared the body and the local furniture store carried a line of wooden caskets. Mr. Hoefer was one of the earlier licensed embalmers in the State of Missouri, holding license number 529.

Alfred and his wife Alvena Hefter Hoefer lived in a large three-story home along with their two sons, Forrest Alfred and Ray Alton. The home was built for them at the corner of 16th & Main in 1915. It later became the site of Hoefer Funeral Home, Inc.

Forrest A. Hoefer

From a small boy, Forrest A. Hoefer helped his father in the furniture/undertaking business, and after graduating from college in 1924; he worked full-time, obtaining his Funeral Directors & Embalmer's license in 1942. Younger brother Ray also joined his father and brother in the family-owned business. The businesses were separated in 1953 after a fire destroyed the downtown location. Hoefer Funeral Home was established and moved to its new location of 1600 Main where a chapel was added. Forrest and his wife Gloria assumed responsibility of the funeral home upon Alfred's death in 1959 and continued until Forrest retired in 1976. In 1978, he was honored as a 50-year member of Missouri Funeral Directors Association. He was an avid fisherman.

Forrest Ray "Frosty" Hoefer

Third generation Forrest R. "Frosty" Hoefer joined the funeral home and ambulance service after completing his U.S. Army service in 1953. At age 20, he was one of the youngest graduates of Kansas City Mortuary School, and had to wait until he was 21 years old to receive his license. Frosty and wife Dorothy, also a licensed funeral director, owned the funeral home from 1976-1989 upon his retirement. He was active in the civic community and a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church.

F. Sevier Hoefer

The fourth generation began working with his father and grandfather in 1973. He became the manager and vice-president in 1976, and purchased the firm in 1989 upon his father's retirement. Sevier retired from full time work upon the sale of the business to Marshall & Lia Stewart, January 1st, 2019. Sevier continues to play a vital role consulting and working some part time. Sevier is a lifelong resident of Higginsville and a member of Salem United Church of Christ. He is a graduate of Lafayette Co. C-1 High School, class of 1970 and a 1973 graduate of Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas. He has a daughter, Sarah, who is a Process Coordinator for the Lees Summit School District, and two grandchildren, Blake and Lily. His son, Robert (Rob), has been in Heaven since 1999. Sevier has volunteered for many civic organizations throughout his career including Lions Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Higginsville Historic Society. He has been on many bowling teams and leagues, an avid fisherman, and golfs. He is proud of the legacy the firm has built and the families it has served over the years. Hoefer Funeral Home, Inc. is still located in the original home of its founder. Much remodeling has been done to the 100 year-old building through the years and it continues to stand tall and proud.

The Women of Hoefer Funeral Home

Alvena, Gloria, Dorothy, & Janice are the women who partnered with their husbands during the first four generations of Hoefer Funeral Home. Many times they stood side by side with their husbands as they greeted families and friends at funerals and visitations. The wives filled in wherever necessary, from clerical duties to answering the business telephone. They were also instrumental in the funeral home decorating. Through the years, much technological advancement has made it easier to do much of the behind-the-scene work, yet these women of Hoefer Funeral Home have added their own special talents to make the Hoefer Funeral Home, Inc. establishment what it is today.


Our Valued Staff

  • Marshall  Stewart Sr.

    Marshall Stewart Sr. Funeral Director/Embalmer, President

    Marshall Stewart Sr. joined the firm part-time in 2008 helping Sevier Hoefer with funerals and visitations, and joined full-time in September, 2017 upon receiving licensure for Funeral Director and Embalming. He and his wife purchased the firm upon Sevier’s retirement in January 2019. He is a life-long resident of Higginsville graduating from Lafayette Co. C-1 High School in 1997. He received his Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science in 2011 from Kansas City Community College. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club member, Treasurer for the Harvey Higgins Historical Society, Treasurer for the City of Higginsville - Industrial Development Authority, member of Highpointers Club, Board of Director - Habitat for Humanity, and a member of First Baptist Church. He has two children, Randen and Shane, and is married to his wife Lia with her 3 children, Cameron, Cymen, and Peyton. Marshall is most known for his mountain climbing and exotic trips with his father, Dennis Stewart. He also is an avid ATV’er, gardener, fisherman, and golfer.

  • Lia Stewart

    Lia Stewart Funeral Director, Vice President

    Lia Stewart joined her husband, Marshall at the firm in November of 2018. Lia has been a life-long resident of Higginsville, attending Lafayette C-1 high school as well and is a member of First Baptist Church. Before joining the firm she had a fast paced tenure with a major restaurant chain, as a Director of Operations. She helps her husband in many ways - assisting with removals, assisting with funerals and visitations, office administration, and bookkeeping. She brings many skills to the table and is an asset to the firm. She is excited to build upon what the firm already stands for and expand on its legacy.

  • Kasey Koetting

    Kasey Koetting Funeral Director Apprentice

  • Mike Wakeman

    Mike Wakeman Funeral Home Diplomat

STAFF MEMBERS (not pictured)

Mark Gross

Dennis Stewart

Doug Booker

Shane Stewart II

Bob Gibson

John Baggs