About Us
Our History
For more than ninety years, our facility has been serving the Greenwood County community providing care, compassion and guidance for individuals in their time of need.
Lyle C. Baird
Our facility began in September 1934 as Baird Funeral Home owned and operated by Lyle C. Baird of Eureka. Mr. Baird had come to Eureka in 1922, from La Junta, Colorado, with his wife, Verda, to operate the furniture department of the Evans Hardware and Furniture Company. On their way from Colorado they stopped in Kansas City to purchase a new hearse and furniture for the "undertaking department." The furniture and mortuary business separated in 1934, allowing Baird to build a new facility from a remodeled residence at our current location at 2nd and Oak Streets. Mr. Baird was a native of Malvern, Iowa and a veteran of World War I. Mr. Baird died on February 11, 1958. (Photo taken September 15, 1934)
Baird, Leila Mae. "Lyle C. Baird." The History of Greenwood County, Kansas. Ed. Greenwood County Historical Society. Wichita, Kansas: Kelly Wright, Josten's Publications, 1986. 121. Print.
Elmer Wedelin
With the retirement of Mr. Baird in 1950, the funeral home was sold to Elmer Wedelin, a native of the Climax area. Mr. Wedelin had previously owned a mortuary in Topeka and thus was not new to the business. The Wedelins had been residents of Greenwood County since 1900 when Elmer's father, Peter purchased a farm near Climax. Elmer lived on the family farm until he decided to pursue a future in embalming in 1923.
Moore, Iveta. "Pete Wedelin Family." The History of Greenwood County, Kansas. Ed. Greenwood County Historical Society. Wichita, Kansas: Kelly Wright, Josten's Publications, 1986. 355. Print.
Francis Campbell
Francis Campbell purchased the funeral home from Elmer Wedelin in July of 1962. At first he operated the funeral home as Baird-Campbell funeral home but eventually changed the name to Campbell Funeral Home. He brought about a complete remodel and expansion of the funeral home into its current structure. Campbell operated the funeral home for thirty years and was still one of the most respected members of the community for many years after his retirement. Francis passed away on September 5, 2015. (Photo taken 1974) In 1992, the funeral home was sold to the Kelley family, who owned and operated the Campbell-Kelley Funeral Home until 2002.
Clasen, Richard "Dick". "Funeral Home Changes Hands." The Eureka Herald [Eureka, Kansas] 1 Aug. 2002. Print.
Jayme & Sheila Koup
Jayme Koup's journey with Campbell-Kelley Funeral Home began in 1995, where he dedicated seven years to honing his skills in the industry. In 2002, a pivotal moment arrived when Jayme, together with his wife, Sheila, and his mother, Norma, embarked on a new chapter by purchasing Campbell-Kelley and transforming it into the Koup Family Funeral Home.
Under the guidance of the Koup family, the funeral home underwent a significant transformation. The outdated carpet and furniture were replaced with modern and comfortable amenities, reflecting the family's commitment to providing a welcoming and dignified environment for grieving families. Additionally, the Koups embraced technological advancements, introducing digital tools and services to enhance the overall experience.
While Jayme continued to play a vital role in the funeral home's operations, his involvement gradually shifted towards a more supervisory role in the mid-2010s. A significant loss occurred in 2012 when Norma, Jayme's mother, passed away. To ensure the continued success of the family business, Matthew stepped in as the funeral home's manager in 2015.
Tragically, Jayme's life was cut short on June 27, 2024, when he passed away unexpectedly. His legacy as a dedicated funeral director and a loving family member will undoubtedly be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
