Our History
The Fremont Funeral Chapel was founded in 1929 with the sole purpose of offering service to the communities in the area.

Service is of the utmost importance, not only to the staff and board members of the Fremont Funeral Chapel, but to those we serve. Our intention is to treat each family with the utmost respect, dignity, and confidentiality that we, ourselves, would expect.

Our funeral chapel is constructed on one level with no stairs or ramps. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated and capable of serving large families.

We are a full service funeral chapel. We have expertise in traditional services as well as "alternative" services, which include cremation, immediate burials, or simple graveside services. Our facility also has a lending library, which includes books, tapes and pamphlets regarding death, dying and grief recovery.

Our Staff
For more than 72 years the Fremont Funeral Chapel has been a part of the community of Fremont. It is unique in that it is a cooperative burial association. The Funeral Chapel offers memberships to anyone in the community that is interested in keeping this fine tradition growing and available in this area.

Over the years, the Fremont Funeral Chapel has grown from its humble beginning to the beautiful chapel it is today. Since 1985, much remodeling has taken place. A family room was added. Improvements to the preparation room were made in 1990. The chapel was remodeled in 1996, as was the selection room. In addition, a closed circuit television system allows family members to view the service from a private room. This same system is available in another part of the chapel to accommodate large, overflow crowds. Available also, if the family requests, is the capability to videotape and record the service of their loved one.

An urn display, offering selections of bronze, copper, marble and natural hardwood beautifully show the options available should the family choose cremation

Prearranged funeral plans, guaranteeing that future financial aspects will be taken care of, are available through trust or insurance. Please feel free to visit with one of our directors and select a plan that is best suited for your needs.

A new, technology-based service is now available for those out of town or out of state. Fremont Funeral Chapel now offers a web site at www.fremontfuneralchapel.com giving families information with an on-line obituary, allowing them to request the guest book be signed in their absence by e-mailing the chapel and listing local florists for ordering flowers.

Each of us at the Fremont Funeral Chapel considers it a privilege to be able to serve the people of our communities during their difficult times. We are always available to help you through the time of your loss and strive to live up to our desire to serve each and every family that passes through our facility.

Joseph F. Bates, CFSP, CPC
A 1971 graduate of Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, and a graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in Louisville, Kentucky, Joe has been a licensed funeral director since 1973. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, and was President of IFDA 2006-2007. He is recognized as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and has also attained the Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) designation from the Funeral Service Educational Foundation. He has presented many in-service training programs to nursing homes and hospice staff and volunteers, as well as conducting tours for church, school, and other interested organizations.

Vickie Terrell, office manager at the Fremont Funeral Chapel, lives in Martinsburg, Iowa. Vickie graduated from Pekin Community School in Packwood, Iowa and attended Ottumwa Heights College, taking courses in Medical Secretarial training. She was employed by Ottumwa Regional Health Center in the Radiology Department and at Dr. P. Vithespongse's office in Hedrick. Before coming to work at the Fremont Funeral Chapel, Vickie was employed as a teacher associate in Special Education at Pekin Community Schools for nine years. Vickie is married and has two daughters and two grandsons, Jeslyn & Joseph Monaghan and their sons Allen & William of Montezuma, Iowa and Mary & Rob Wells of Martinsburg, Iowa. Jess, Vickie's husband, is Human Resources Director for Clinton Community Schools in Clinton, Iowa. Vickie enjoys interior decorating and antiques and served as the Martinsburg United Methodist Church organist/pianist for 30 years before it's closing.