About Us ~ Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes
The Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes has been serving the communities of Eastern Lincoln County, Southern Pike County and Northern St. Charles County for over eighty years. O'Garlan Ricks founded Ricks Funeral Home January 17, 1937 in Winfield, Missouri. In 1941 O'Garlan married Kathryn Trescott. They continued to operate the funeral home on Third Street in Winfield until 1943, when O'Garlan enlisted in the Army and served in the South Pacific during World War II.
After being discharged from the Army, O'Garlan and Kathryn reopened the funeral home in Winfield. In 1946 they purchased a residence in Elsberry, Missouri, remodeled, and opened a funeral home. During the next thirty-five years, they continued to serve the area communities with a high degree of professionalism, compassionate care and dedicated community service (and improvement in their facilities).
On March 1, 1981 Larry & Kayla Carter purchased the funeral homes from O'Garlan and Kathryn Ricks, and changed the name to Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes. During the early 80s the Carters remodeled the Elsberry facility to meet the needs of the new generation of families.
Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes has been a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Missouri Funeral Directors Association for many years. In 1985 Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes was one of the first funeral homes to join the Missouri Funeral Trust, a subsidiary of the Missouri Funeral Directors Association. First, Larry and now, Kayla, has served on the board of the Missouri Funeral Trust since 1985.
During December 1989, Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes was invited and was accepted as a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule, a professional organization of independently owned and operated funeral homes. This organization is made up of more than 800 funeral homes around the world. OGR is exclusive to funeral homes that adhere to the strictest standards of ethics and service. Larry has served as Missouri Regional Chairperson for several years and has served on several committees within the organization.
In 1993 Larry & Kayla again remodeled chapel and office areas of the Elsberry funeral home. This remodeling allowed us to correct some structural problems and bring in a lighter, brighter and softer appearance to the chapel and office areas. The business offices were moved upstairs.
During 1995 Larry & Kayla were finally able to purchase 16 acres near Winfield on highway 47 for a new facility and cemetery. January 1, 1996, Larry & Kayla opened the new Winfield location and Whispering Winds Cemetery on four acres. These remodeling and new facilities were necessary to meet the needs of our growing communities.
In keeping with the change in the sentiments of families, the need to offer more cremation products and with the improvements in modern technology, a decision was made in 2008 to change the respective display casket rooms into arrangement rooms with digital presentation. The former Elsberry casket display room was remodeled into a much needed lounge and an arrangement room using a computer and a TV monitor. The Winfield display room was transformed into a large arrangement room also using computer and TV monitor. New display furniture allows a better presentation for other funeral products and an increasingly wider selection of cremation products
For over eighty years, Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes has continued the legacy of compassionate care established by O'Garlan Ricks and now, by Larry & Kayla Carter. Our commitment to serve has endured through the years. We make it a priority to stay abreast of the newest trends and technology in the funeral industry today and offer the most diverse range of services available. Our commitment is to serve your family and care for your loved one by the motto of OGR: "Service measured not by gold, but by the Golden Rule."
