Harold L. Lake President

Harold L. Lake is a native of Haven, Kansas, having attending Haven public schools, Cowley College, and Dallas Institute College of Mortuary Science where he graduated in 1963. He has been a Kansas Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1965. While attending Cowley College he became associated with the Jess Rindt Mortuary, which later became Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home. In 1982 he bought the controlling interest in the funeral home and became the president and manager. Harold is a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Arkansas City Rotary Club, Masonic Orders and is active in many volunteer service organizations in the community. He is a member and past state chairman of the International Order of the Golden Rule, NFDA, and KFDA. Other activities include past president of the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, past director of the Salvation Army, and Hospice, Inc. Board of Directors. At the present time he is president of the Arkansas City Community Health Foundation and is president of the Memorial Lawn Cemetery Board of Directors.

Mary Lake Office Manager

Mary Lake has worked at Rindt-Erdman Funeral since the fall of 1997. A native Kansan, she grew up in Eureka, Kansas, where she graduated from high school. She graduated from Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, and taught high school English for 25 years. Post graduate studies include theatre at the University of Kansas City, Lawrence. She currently is a member of PEO in Arkansas City, AAUW, Amnesty International, MADD, NOW, The Interfaith Alliance, The Women's Action Council, The Greenwood County Historical Society, the W.S.U. Alumni Associaton, NEA and she is on the corporation board for Sigma of Gamma Phi Beta. In the past, she was a Stephen Ministry Leader in her church. Mary belongs to several organizations which support animal care and wildlife. Her hobbies include knitting, reading, and walking. At Rindt-Erdman, Mary produces the memorial books for families, files and orders death certificates, notifies social security of deaths, accounts for memorial gifts, and assists people with research into old funeral home records.

Brandon R. Welch Funeral Director

Brandon R. Welch, born in Ponca City, OK, and raised in Arkansas City, attended Arkansas City High School, Butler County Community College, Texas Tech University and Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He returned to his hometown and joined the staff in September 1997 after serving his apprenticeship in Wisconsin. In July of 2007, Brandon bought into the funeral home and is currently serving as a Funeral Director/Embalmer and the Secretary/Treasurer of the company. Brandon is a member Rotary International, President of the board for the Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Ark City Ambucs, past President of district 4, Kansas Funeral Directors Association, past Board Member of the Arkansas City Country Club, coaches little league sports, enjoys hunting, golf and is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Arkansas City. He married Jennifer J. (Snowden) in 1995 and they have three children, Lauren, Parker and Gabriel.

Karen K. Sparks Business Manager

Karen K. Sparks was born and raised in Arkansas City. Karen started working for Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in May of 2000. Before coming here, she was employed at the District Court of Cowley County for 24 years. Her spare time is spent enjoying her grandchildren, Jade, Peyton and Cale. At the funeral home, she handles the insurance claims and the bookkeeping along with the payroll.

Robert L. Ferris Funeral Director

Robert L. Ferris is an Arkansas City native. Robert graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1981, Cowley College in 1983, and Central State University of Edmond, Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in funeral service in 1985. He returned to Arkansas City in the fall of 1989. Robert is a longtime member of the Central Christian Church and the Chalice Casting Company and the Ark City Community Theatre. Robert and his wife Kathleen have two children, Abbey and Ross.

David York Funeral Director

David A. York born and raised in Arkansas City, attended Arkansas City High School, Cowley College, and Kansas City Community College. He returned to his hometown and joined the staff in December 2005 is currently serving his apprenticeship. David enjoys golf, hunting and all sporting events.

Karen Johnson Family Service Counselor

Karen was born in Temple, TX where her father was stationed in the Army. She was educated in the Tulsa area. Karen has been assisting families with their final wishes and advanced funeral planning since 1996. In 2007, she married Michael Johnson and moved to the area. Karen has four children. She was been with the funeral home since February 2008.

© 2002 Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and FuneralNet