History & Staff

For over 50 years, our locations have served Columbus’s hard-working neighborhoods.  In January of 2016, we renewed our promise to serve those neighborhoods with dignity and compassion by becoming Heart & Hope by Schoedinger. Meet our staff and read our story…

Our History

Our History

In 1829, Philip Schoedinger emigrated to the U.S. from Dörrenbach, Germany. Philip was a craftsman by trade and in 1855 he opened a casket-making department. In 1865, Philip established the Schoedinger & Brown on West State Street in Columbus.

Philip's sons, George J. and J. Albert soon joined the family business. Shortly thereafter, the funeral home began to see such innovations as the addition of the first automobile hearse and a new chapel at 229 East State Street, which was the first chapel built expressly for the purpose of funeral service and one of the earliest in America of such magnitude. Today the belltower at this location stands as a city landmark. Other firsts, such as becoming one of the first companies to offer an air-conditioned building and the first to offer guaranteed advance funeral arrangements, soon followed.

In time, George J.'s sons, Fred and George R., also chose to join the family funeral home, known at that time as Schoedinger & Co. In 1933, George R.'s three sons, George Jr., Robert and John, all entered the family business.

As the funeral home grew, so did the Schoedinger family's desire to offer more services and greater convenience to the families of Central Ohio. Starting in the 1950's, Schoedinger began to expand their services into many of the local neighborhoods around central Ohio. In 2016, the Schoedinger locations located in the Hilltop and Linden were changed to become Heart & Hope Funeral Home by Schoedinger. Heart & Hope Funeral Home by Schoedinger is the evolution of our commitment to exceptional and affordable service. 

Even over the last 20 years, the Schoedinger family funeral homes have continued to evolve. Additional facilities have been added and today the sixth generation family members actively manage the funeral home.

Our Valued Staff

  • Kevin Schoedinger

    Kevin Schoedinger, Executive Vice President, Secretery/Treasurer

    Kevin Schoedinger is Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Kevin received his Bachelors in Human Resource Management from the University of Colorado in 2007. He is a licensed funeral director in the state of Ohio.

    Kevin is active in the community, serving on several boards and volunteering in other organizations. He is actively involved in non-profit organizations including the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, Selected Independent Funeral Homes, Back in His Arms Again Ministry, Green Lawn Cemetery and Cornerstone of Hope, as well as supporting the efforts of non-profits like Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research and Education (MMORE) and Nellie’s Catwalk for Kids. He has taken part in Selected Independent Funeral Homes Leadership Academy and the Conway Center for Family Business Next Generation Peer Group.

    He is married with three children and grief therapy dog, Banks.

  • Andrea M. Stockel Wills

    Andrea M. Stockel Wills, Funeral Director; Manager

  • Holly Colwell

    Holly Colwell, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

  • Lori Okorowski

    Lori Okorowski, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

  • Mary Heskett

    Mary Heskett, Administrative Assistant

  • Matthew G. Jones

    Matthew G. Jones, Funeral Director; General Manager

    I feel like funeral service chose me. When I found myself at a "cross-roads", a family friend (who owned a funeral home) said "have you ever thought about funeral service"? I hadn't. I spent some time at his funeral home and thought "this might work". 20+ years later, I am doing what I set out to do originally -- helping people. In my work as a funeral director, I have found particular fulfillment in crafting meaningful, cost-effective funerals.

    Since 1998, I have called Columbus, Ohio home. I am a Past Master and former Trustee of University Lodge #631 F & AM; a member of Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus; Community Chapter #227 R.A.M.; West Gate Council #129 R & SM. I attend St. Andrew Catholic Church with my wife, Beverly.

    I love to cook and to entertain. My wife and I have so many house guests in a year that I joke that we run the world's least profitable bed & breakfast! My work has taught me that the future is not guaranteed and I truly treasure the time spent with family and friends!

  • Shawna Begin

    Shawna Begin, Administrative Assistant