Bart’s funeral service history practically begins at birth, from the time he came home from the hospital until this day; he has always lived in a funeral home or across the street from one. He is a second-generation funeral director, starting out in the apartment above the Purcell-Davis Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa, where his parents first lived, and father managed the funeral home. Lee Willim, Bart’s father would purchase his first funeral home in 1968 and move from Marshalltown to Dows, Iowa. Bart is the oldest of four boys, all 18 months apart, raised in the funeral home; Bart says they went for lots of rides when families came to the funeral home for the first viewing. In funeral service, the families you serve always come first, for this reason there were many football games and wrestling meets that his Dad couldn’t attend. That is the reason Bart decided to go into funeral service to be able to serve others and spend time with his Dad.
After graduating from high school in Clarion, Iowa, Bart attended Iowa Central Community College, Pre-Mortuary Science program in Fort Dodge, Iowa where he also played football and wrestled. After attaining his associate of arts degree in mortuary science, he went to The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio, the first and oldest school in the nation for mortuary science (also his father Alma Mata) considered one of the best programs in the country. Bart graduated from mortuary school in 1986 and returned to Iowa, not to work in the family business yet but to gain valuable knowledge working in Des Moines, at the large and progressive Hamilton’s Funeral Home. He served his apprenticeship there under the watchful eye of 14 licensed embalmers and funeral directors, gaining knowledge he still uses today. At the end of his year’s apprenticeship, Bart return home to Clarion to work with his father in the operation of Willim Funeral Homes in Clarion, Latimer, Dows, and Eagle Grove, Iowa. After 16 years serving in the family business in Iowa and after his father retired from funeral service, Bart and his brother Adam decided to go into business together in northern Minnesota (the Call of the wild you might say) together they owned and operated funeral homes in Atkin, Pine River, and Pequot Lakes, MN for 6 years. After selling the funeral homes in Minnesota 2006, Bart & Tonya decided to move to Missouri so they could be close to Tonya’s family.
Bart has belonged to many service organizations and is currently a member of Richmond Rotary Club, the Richmond Masonic Lodge, serves on the Board of Directors for the Shirkey Foundation, and belongs to the Richmond United Methodist Church. Bart is currently serving as the Ray County Coroner, first appointed by Governor Nixon in 2016, then duly elected by the people of Ray County. Bart enjoys the outdoor, especially fishing, and wilderness canoeing in Canada. Bart is married to his soul mate, Tonya Willim who is also Richmond’s City Administrator, she play’s a big role at Thurman's doing the marketing and graphic designs and is currently in the process of becoming a Missouri licensed funeral director. Our children are grown, and we enjoy spending time with our two little granddaughters.
Bart’s funeral service history practically begins at birth, from the time he came home from the hospital until this day; he has always lived in a funeral home or across the street from one. He is a second-generation funeral director, starting out in the apartment above the Purcell-Davis Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa, where his parents first lived, and father managed the funeral home. Lee Willim, Bart’s father would purchase his first funeral home in 1968 and move from Marshalltown to Dows, Iowa. Bart is the oldest of four boys, all 18 months apart, raised in the funeral home; Bart says they went for lots of rides when families came to the funeral home for the first viewing. In funeral service, the families you serve always come first, for this reason there were many football games and wrestling meets that his Dad couldn’t attend. That is the reason Bart decided to go into funeral service to be able to serve others and spend time with his Dad.
After graduating from high school in Clarion, Iowa, Bart attended Iowa Central Community College, Pre-Mortuary Science program in Fort Dodge, Iowa where he also played football and wrestled. After attaining his associate of arts degree in mortuary science, he went to The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio, the first and oldest school in the nation for mortuary science (also his father Alma Mata) considered one of the best programs in the country. Bart graduated from mortuary school in 1986 and returned to Iowa, not to work in the family business yet but to gain valuable knowledge working in Des Moines, at the large and progressive Hamilton’s Funeral Home. He served his apprenticeship there under the watchful eye of 14 licensed embalmers and funeral directors, gaining knowledge he still uses today. At the end of his year’s apprenticeship, Bart return home to Clarion to work with his father in the operation of Willim Funeral Homes in Clarion, Latimer, Dows, and Eagle Grove, Iowa. After 16 years serving in the family business in Iowa and after his father retired from funeral service, Bart and his brother Adam decided to go into business together in northern Minnesota (the Call of the wild you might say) together they owned and operated funeral homes in Atkin, Pine River, and Pequot Lakes, MN for 6 years. After selling the funeral homes in Minnesota 2006, Bart & Tonya decided to move to Missouri so they could be close to Tonya’s family.
Bart has belonged to many service organizations and is currently a member of Richmond Rotary Club, the Richmond Masonic Lodge, serves on the Board of Directors for the Shirkey Foundation, and belongs to the Richmond United Methodist Church. Bart is currently serving as the Ray County Coroner, first appointed by Governor Nixon in 2016, then duly elected by the people of Ray County. Bart enjoys the outdoor, especially fishing, and wilderness canoeing in Canada. Bart is married to his soul mate, Tonya Willim who is also Richmond’s City Administrator, she play’s a big role at Thurman's doing the marketing and graphic designs and is currently in the process of becoming a Missouri licensed funeral director. Our children are grown, and we enjoy spending time with our two little granddaughters.
Jim is a retired Missouri Highway Patrolman. He is a Missouri licensed Funeral Director. Jim helps direct funeral services and works visitations. He joined Thurman Funeral Home in 2005. He is a member of the Pisgah Baptist Church. Jim is a avid outdoors man and a legend in the area coon hunters circle. He has won many trophies for his dogs locally and nationally. Jim is a big part of our team and where glad to have him and if you enjoy the outdoors and been to visitation odds are you've shared some memories of the outdoors with him. Jim has been married 45 years to Berlinda Bush Garrison and has two daughters and six grandchildren. Jim served as the Ray County Coroner from 2009 -2012.
Jim passed away in 2026, but will be remembered for his kind, caring, dedicated, and joyful spirit.
Jim is a retired Missouri Highway Patrolman. He is a Missouri licensed Funeral Director. Jim helps direct funeral services and works visitations. He joined Thurman Funeral Home in 2005. He is a member of the Pisgah Baptist Church. Jim is a avid outdoors man and a legend in the area coon hunters circle. He has won many trophies for his dogs locally and nationally. Jim is a big part of our team and where glad to have him and if you enjoy the outdoors and been to visitation odds are you've shared some memories of the outdoors with him. Jim has been married 45 years to Berlinda Bush Garrison and has two daughters and six grandchildren. Jim served as the Ray County Coroner from 2009 -2012.
Jim passed away in 2026, but will be remembered for his kind, caring, dedicated, and joyful spirit.
Keeven is a life long Hardin resident and joined the Thurman Funeral Home staff in 2008. Keeven retired from the Ford Motor Company after 30 plus years of service. He has a strong work ethic and is busy all the time. Keeven's responsibilities include maintaining the grounds and making sure the Thurman fleet looks beautiful all the time. He assists with funeral services and visitations. He and his wife, Vicki, have two children and one grandson, Paxton!
Keeven is a life long Hardin resident and joined the Thurman Funeral Home staff in 2008. Keeven retired from the Ford Motor Company after 30 plus years of service. He has a strong work ethic and is busy all the time. Keeven's responsibilities include maintaining the grounds and making sure the Thurman fleet looks beautiful all the time. He assists with funeral services and visitations. He and his wife, Vicki, have two children and one grandson, Paxton!
Hal is a well loved and respected retired area educator, having taught in two of the area local school districts. We at Thurman's are amazed at all his former students who always say "Hello Mr. Middleton" and "You were my favorite teacher". Mr. Middleton is a kind and compassionate man and we our proud to have him on our staff at Thurman's. Hal helps with visitations and funerals, always as a familiar face, with many stories to tell to provide comfort to families.
Hal is a well loved and respected retired area educator, having taught in two of the area local school districts. We at Thurman's are amazed at all his former students who always say "Hello Mr. Middleton" and "You were my favorite teacher". Mr. Middleton is a kind and compassionate man and we our proud to have him on our staff at Thurman's. Hal helps with visitations and funerals, always as a familiar face, with many stories to tell to provide comfort to families.
Ashlee, daughter of Bart and Tonya, is a 2012 graduate of Richmond High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2015. Following in the footsteps of both her father and grandfather, Ashlee became a licensed funeral director in 2026, continuing her family’s legacy as a third-generation funeral service professional. She also serves as the office manager.
Ashlee serves in many roles at the funeral home and works closely with families before, during, and after the loss of a loved one. With a heart for service and attention to detail, she is committed to helping families navigate difficult times with compassion, care, and understanding. Whether working behind the scenes or alongside families directly, she strives to ensure each family feels supported and cared for every step of the way.
Ashlee is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they are raising their three children, Winnie, Daphnie, and Theodore. They are proud to call this community home and are honored to continue living, working, and serving the families of this area.
Ashlee, daughter of Bart and Tonya, is a 2012 graduate of Richmond High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2015. Following in the footsteps of both her father and grandfather, Ashlee became a licensed funeral director in 2026, continuing her family’s legacy as a third-generation funeral service professional. She also serves as the office manager.
Ashlee serves in many roles at the funeral home and works closely with families before, during, and after the loss of a loved one. With a heart for service and attention to detail, she is committed to helping families navigate difficult times with compassion, care, and understanding. Whether working behind the scenes or alongside families directly, she strives to ensure each family feels supported and cared for every step of the way.
Ashlee is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they are raising their three children, Winnie, Daphnie, and Theodore. They are proud to call this community home and are honored to continue living, working, and serving the families of this area.
Tonya, wife of Bart and mother to Ashlee, manages advertising, promotions, social media, retail and website design. She lends her personal design touch to memorial folders, tribute DVDs and more, striving to give everyone a unique and personal keepsake.
Tonya, wife of Bart and mother to Ashlee, manages advertising, promotions, social media, retail and website design. She lends her personal design touch to memorial folders, tribute DVDs and more, striving to give everyone a unique and personal keepsake.
Beau is originally from Donaldsonville, Louisiana. During high school, he discovered his life calling in funeral service and began his journey with Seale Funeral Home. He cleaned cars, cut grass, worked visitations, served as a night porter on weekends and made removals. He graduated mortuary school in 2012 and began working for a small town funeral home in New Roads, Louisiana, where he served the families of Pointe Coupee Parish. Beau has three children, Zoey, Beau, Jr., and Emma.
Beau is originally from Donaldsonville, Louisiana. During high school, he discovered his life calling in funeral service and began his journey with Seale Funeral Home. He cleaned cars, cut grass, worked visitations, served as a night porter on weekends and made removals. He graduated mortuary school in 2012 and began working for a small town funeral home in New Roads, Louisiana, where he served the families of Pointe Coupee Parish. Beau has three children, Zoey, Beau, Jr., and Emma.
