our staff

Javan Jones is a well-known and respected figure in the funeral home industry throughout Colorado. His interest in this field began at an early age, when he noticed that his grandfather was not presented correctly during a funeral service and has been making sure those small details are taken care of ever since.

Javan is known for his honesty, compassion, and straight forward approach towards the families he serves. He is passionate about serving families and is equally passionate about serving the community. Javan has been in the funeral home business for 20 years while being an owner for 8 years. He currently owns and operates both Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado and Heer Mortuary and Crematory in Morgan County, Colorado.

Javan received his Mortuary Science degree from Gupton-Jones College, which is one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. He successfully passed the National Conference of Funeral Service Education Board for Embalming and Funeral Service examination. Javan has also acquired several certifications that demonstrate his expertise and dedication to his profession. He is a Certified Funeral Director, Certified Embalmer, Certified Cremation Operator, and Certified Professional Arranger for Batesville.

As the past president of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association (CFDA), Javan has shown exceptional leadership and vision in advancing the interests and standards of the funeral home industry in Colorado. He has served two terms as president, during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also influenced the state legislature to pass laws that improve the quality and efficiency of funeral services, such as allowing funeral home inspections and making electronic death certificates mandatory for all professionals.

Javan has been involved in the Yuma County Coroner's office, serving as the chief deputy coroner from 2015 to 2022, and currently as the Yuma County Coroner. He is also a member of the Colorado Coroner Association.

Javan was born and raised in Wray, Colorado. He and his wife Jacque have 3 children. He is a member of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association, Brush State Bank Board of Directors, and Fort Morgan Rotary Club. In his spare time Javan enjoys running, golfing, and watching his kids in their activities.

Jacque has always had a passion for teaching and helping others. She spent 17 years in education where she loved her students and colleagues, but she felt a calling to join her brother, Javan, in the family business in 2021.

Jacque has taken her classroom management skills and applied them to the office and finance management at Heer Mortuary where she handles financial and administrative tasks. She enjoys working with her brother and the rest of the staff, who are all like family to her. 

Jacque was born and raised in Colorado, and she has a special connection to Morgan County. She attended elementary school in Brush, until her family moved to Wray. She says that she has fond memories of both Fort Morgan and Brush and is happy she has come full circle by returning to the area.

Jacque and her husband Brad live in Brush and have three adult children, who are all pursuing their own careers and passions. Jacque has been grateful for the warm welcome that she has received from the Morgan County community. She looks forward to making new friends and serving the families who entrust Heer Mortuary with their loved ones.

Jacque is not only a hard-working and a caring co-owner of Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home, but she is also a fun-loving and adventurous person. She is an avid fan of the Colorado Avalanche. She also enjoys reading, crafting, swimming, and spending time with her family. She loves to travel and explore new places, and she is always up for a road trip.

Greg is very excited to join Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in 2023 as Operation Manager, bringing over 18 years of management expertise to the team. He says, “I am happy to serve the families in Morgan County and to join the family business with my siblings. I believe our staff and facilities are one of the best in Eastern Colorado because we are equipped to handle all your needs. The most significant factor to me is that your loved one never leaves our staff’s care or facility.”

Greg is committed to providing compassionate, professional, and personalized service to every family that entrusts us with their loved one. He is also eager to learn from his colleagues and to share his knowledge and experience with them.

Greg is married to Rosie, and they have three children. They live in Wray, where they are active members of the Methodist Church. Greg serves on the church board, the golf course board, and as the head coach for the high school boys golf team. In his spare time, Greg enjoys golfing, BBQ/cooking, and spending time with his family.

We are delighted to have Greg join our family business and look forward to working with him and learning from his experience and skills. We hope you will join us in welcoming him and getting to know him better.

Brent was born and raised in Morgan County, Colorado, where he developed an early interest in mortuary science. He enrolled in a Med Prep class when he was a junior in high school and signed up for a work study at Heer Mortuary. There, he learned the basics of funeral service and discovered his passion for helping families cope with the loss of their loved ones.  

For over 20 years, he has been serving the Morgan County community and has served as a Deputy Coroner in Morgan County for nearly 15 years, providing professional and respectful care to those who have passed away. Brent is a proud member of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association (CFDA), a professional organization that promotes excellence and ethics in the funeral industry. 

Brent is a certified funeral director, certified embalmer, certified cremation operator, and certified professional arranger. He is also an ordained clergy who can provide spiritual guidance and comfort to the bereaved. He is known for his patience, loyalty, and empathy toward the families he serves. He is passionate about his work and strives to help families cope with their loss and honor their loved ones. He says, "I have always had a passion for serving others. It's an honor and a privilege to help families in some of the hardest times in their lives, as they begin their grief journey. If I can alleviate someone's grief in some small way, then my job is accomplished."  

Brent is a member of Saint Helena's Catholic Church in Fort Morgan and a member of the B.P.O.E. #1143, Fort Morgan. He enjoys camping and spending time at the lake, barbecuing, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Kari has been in the mortuary business since 2008 and is currently a licensed insurance specialist since 2006. She is a certified funeral director and a pre-planning specialist, which means she has helped hundreds of families plan ahead for their final arrangements. She is also a member of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association, a professional organization that promotes ethical and quality services in the funeral industry.

Kari is known to be prompt, organized, dedicated, and caring. “I enjoy working in a caring profession where I can ease some of the stress for families during a difficult time and handle the many different aspects of the job.” She has attended training and logged many years of internship to expand her specialties at the mortuary.

 Kari is a familiar face in Morgan County, where she was born and raised. She values her family and friends and loves to spoil her niece and nephews. When Kari is not working, she likes to spend time outdoors. She enjoys hiking the trails at Rocky Mountain National Park, golfing, gardening, and going to the shooting range. She is also a fan of Colorado Avalanche Hockey and a friendly and outgoing person.

Anita, a dedicated Funeral Director and embalmer, became a part of our team in 2021. Her journey in the mortuary industry began in 2002. She pursued her education in Mortuary Science at Amarillo College and spent two years in Texas honing her skills as an embalming specialist before returning to Colorado.

Anita is recognized for her attentive nature, creativity, gentleness, and exceptional listening skills. She holds an Associate Degree in Applied Mortuary Science and has successfully passed the National Conference of Funeral Service Education Board for Embalming and Funeral Service examination.

She resides in Brush with her husband, Chas, and their three children, Peyton, Paige, and Pierce. Anita cherishes family time, enjoys watching her children’s sports activities, and indulges in hobbies like baking, quilting, reading, and golfing.

 Anita shares, “My passion is to care for people and create enduring memories for the families I serve. I strive to exceed expectations, alleviate their pain, and cater to their needs. Having always lived in small towns, I value working with a local, family-owned funeral home that resonates with my principles. I am grateful to be a part of a supportive community where I can fulfill my calling.”