History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our History

Theodore B. Volmer was a cabinet maker by trade. He settled in St. Louis and apprenticed himself to a cabinet maker named Mr. Ratermann. After a year of training during which Mr. Volmer also attended the St. Louis Embalming School, Mr. Ratermann considered his pupil skilled enough to start his own business. Mr. Ratermann suggests that Theodore start a business in Carlyle since it was a growing city.

By this time Theodore had married his shipboard sweetheart, Mary Schulte. They settled in Carlyle where he established the Carlyle Furniture and Funeral Company in 1867. His business prospered since he was an excellent craftsman and offered the only funeral service within 15 miles.

Theodore and Mary raised a family of seven daughters, all of whom were taught to help with the family business. Mr. Volmer made the caskets and the girls lined them.

In 1900, Christine Volmer, Theodore’s second oldest daughter married John Frerker, a Carlyle man, who subsequently purchased the funeral and furniture business from Mr. Volmer. They raised a family of four children, a daughter Helen, and three sons, Paul, Pete, and Bill.

The three boys grew up in the business and, after they finished high school, Paul and Pete enrolled in the Worsham Training School of Anatomy, now the Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Bill attended the Carpenter School of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, MO.

In 1925 John Frerker Purchased the Klein building on the corner of 7th and Fairfax, and remodeled it for a funeral home. It was one of the first facilities of such for miles around.

John H. Frerker died in 1933 and the funeral business was carried on by his sons, Paul and Pete while Bill operated the furniture store. In addition to the Carlyle facility the Frerker brothers opened a funeral home in Beckemeyer in 1954 to better serve their community.

Pete Frerker, Tom’s father died unexpectedly in December of 1966. At that time Bill came into the funeral business more prominently following the closing of the furniture store.

In February of 1969 Paul Frerker died suddenly followed by Bill’s death four months later leaving Bill’s widow, Agnes, to operate the business.

At that time Illinois state law required that the owner of a funeral home had to be a licensed funeral director. This is when Tom enrolled in the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago.

After graduating from Worsham and passing the state of Illinois examination, Tom and his family returned to Carlyle to complete his one year apprenticeship. He purchased the business in August of 1973.

Our Valued Staff

Tom Frerker, Funeral Director and Owner

Tom was born and raised in Carlyle, and grew into his place as the 4th generation owner of Frerker Funeral Home. He is a graduate of Mater Dei High School and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago.

Tom is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and the Egyptian Funeral Directors Association.

He is a member St. Mary Church, where he served as Chairman of the Pastoral Council, and the Knights of Columbus Council 1382.He is a member of and served as president of the Carlyle Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, Rotary Club (where he is a Paul Harris Fellow), and Optimist Club; the Carlyle Community Unit District Foundation, the Clinton County Relay for Life Committee, and a member of the Friends of St. Joseph’s Hospital Board. Tom also served as a member of the Board of Directors of usBank.

Tom's wife Mary, a Registered Nurse working with the American Red Cross, attends the First United Methodist Church in Carlyle. She is very active in the First United Methodist Church, having held many church offices and traveled to Mexico for numerous mission trips.

Tom and Mary have six children: Rebecca Ruehl and husband Scott, Chris Frerker and wife Amber, Amy Bass and husband Gary, Debbie Dumstorff and husband Steve, Jamey Rahm and wife Jackie, and Kerrick Rahm and wife Laura; and thirteen grandchildren.

Eric M Nordike, Funeral Director

Eric is a 2007 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. He has lived in Carlyle his entire life. He graduated from Carlyle High School in 2003; he then graduated from Kaskaskia College in 2005. In July of 2009 Eric married Alicia Knolhoff of Hoffman and they reside in Carlyle, along with their daughter Aften.

Eric has been a member of the Carlyle Fire Department since 2005 where he has achieved the rank of Captain. He also serves as an EMT for Breese EMS. Eric is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Carlyle, the Carlyle Lions Club, and Carlyle Rotary Club. He is also a trustee for the McKendree Chapel Cemetery in Keyesport. Eric is also a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and the Egyptian Funeral Directors Association.

Eric has been involved in the funeral service industry since 2005 but has been a licensed funeral director with Frerker Funeral Home since August of 2007.