J. Larry Carter
Owner, Funeral Director And Embalmer

Larry graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration.  He attended Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science graduating in 1977 and returned to his hometown of Salisbury, Missouri to work for Berry Funeral Home.  He received his Funeral Director's License and Embalmer's License in 1978.  Larry married Kayla Davis in the summer of 1979, and they moved to Elsberry, Missouri in January 1980 to work for Ricks Funeral Homes.  They purchased the business with locations in Elsberry and Winfield in March 1981, and changed the name to
                                    Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes.

Larry is a member and past Master of the New Hope Lodge #199, AF&AM in Elsberry, the Scottish Rite, Valley of St. Louis, the Northeast Area Scottish Rite Club, and the Moolah Shrine in St. Louis.  After 35 years as a volunteer and Captain with the Elsberry Fire Protection District, he retired from the Fire Department in 2022. He continues to serve on the Fire Protection District Board of Directors.  He is also a member of various civic organizations.  Larry is an active member of the Elsberry First Christian Church and serves as an Elder.

Larry and Kayla are both active in the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.


Kayla Davis Carter 
Owner, Funeral Director

Kayla graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education.  Kayla and Larry were married in June, 1979 and moved to Elsberry, Missouri in January, 1980 to work for Ricks Funeral Homes.  Kayla received her Funeral Director's License in 1980. They purchased the business with locations in Elsberry and Winfield in March, 1981, and changed the name to Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes

Kayla is a member and past president of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter AI; member and past president of DNC Club in Elsberry; and is a board member and Treasurer for the Palmer Family Memorial Library.  She is also a member of other civic organizations.  Kayla is an active member of the Elsberry First Christian Church, where she handles the sound system during worship services and serves as an Elder. 

In addition to being a member of MFDEA and NFDA, Kayla has been a member of the Board of the Missouri Funeral Trust for over 30 years and is currently serving as Immediate Past President.


Kimberly "Kim" Mueller
Funeral Director/Administrative Assistant

Kimberly (Morgan) Mueller has worked for Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes since 2011. Kim grew up in Elsberry and is a 2004 graduate of Elsberry High School. She and her husband, Andrew are the parents of two children: Wyatt and Cheyanne; dog, Kodiak; cat, Penny; rabbit, Aspen; and a whole lot of chickens. Kim completed her Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Kirkwood Community College located in Cedar Rapids, IA in 2013, and received her Funeral Director License in September, 2015. She is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsberry.  In her "free" time, Kim enjoys reading when she isn't attending soccer, baseball games, dance class or horse lessons/shows for her kids and enjoying the frequent camping trip near or far.


Christopher Dickmeyer
Visitation/Funeral Assistant & Removal Specialist

Christopher Dickmeyer is a lifelong Winfield resident. He joined the Carter-Ricks Funeral Home team in the early 1990s as a young fella for several years. He left to pursue other endeavors before returning to the Staff in 2018 on a part-time basis. In early 2021, Chris decided to come back full time and can be seen doing a little bit of everything to assist families.



Robert "Bob" Kindred
Visitation/Funeral Assistant & Removal Specialist

Bob has assisted with removals, visitations and funerals since 2005.  He and his wife, Bonnie, returned to Elsberry in 1978 after completing ten years in the U.S. Navy.  He spent the next 30 years as a firefighter and officer with the Pattonville Fire District, in St. Louis, retiring in 2007 as Battalion Chief.  Bob continues to be active in Fire Service as Assistant Fire Chief and Chief Instructor of the Elsberry Fire Protection District.  He is a former member and Vice-Chairman of the Lincoln County Ambulance District Board of Directors; and a former Alderman of the Elsberry City Council.  Bob is a past Master and current Secretary of the New Hope Lodge #199 AF&AM in Elsberry; a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of St. Louis; and the Northeast Area Scottish Rite Club; and member of the Elsberry Kiwanis Club where he serves on the Board of Directors.  He and Bonnie are active in the Elsberry First Christian Church and Bob serves as an Elder.



Jeff Muzzey
Visitation/Funeral Assistant & Removal Specialist

Jeff Muzzey joined the Carter-Ricks Funeral Home team a few years ago as a Removal Specialist. Jeff now also assists with Visitations and Funeral Services at both locations. Jeff is also a Volunteer Firefighter for the Elsberry Fire Protection District.



Sharon Brinkman
Visitation Assistant


 Sharon Brinkman is a lifelong resident of the Winfield/Old Monroe area.  After years of working for the Bank of Old Monroe, Sharon began assisting us at both locations.