Schneider named president elect of state funeral organization

Press release

TOPEKA – Kansas Funeral Directors Association (KFDA), the only organization in the state dedicated to promoting and supporting funeral professionals in Kansas, announced new leadership for its Board of Directors as of May 6, 2025.

The new executive officers include:

• President: Chris Holland – Olathe, Kansas

• President Elect: Todd Schneider – Pleasanton, Kansas

• Secretary/Treasurer: Lisa Manley – Lawrence, Kansas

• Immediate Past President: Marty Mendicki – Parsons, Kansas

“With our new executive officers, the Kansas Funeral Directors Association will continue its tradition of thoughtful and visionary board leadership,” Tiffany Fisher, KFDA Executive Director said. “They bring decades of funeral service experience to the board and I look forward to working alongside them to serve our members and ultimately the families they serve throughout Kansas.”

Todd Schneider

 Todd Schneider is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and is the owner of Schneider Funeral Homes and Crematory in Pleasanton, Mound City and LaCygne and Eddy-Bichard in Osawatomie. He attended Pittsburg State University and graduated with a Mortuary Science degree from Kansas City Community College. Todd has served on the KFDA Board of Directors since 2021 and on various KFDA committees. He has spent more than 40 years in the funeral service and enjoys helping families in his community through the grieving process. Todd lives in Mound City with his wife Tracy and is the father of four children.

Chris Holland has spent more than 20 years in funeral service and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and manages funeral homes for the Newcomer Funeral Service Group in the Kansas City area. He graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, received a Business Administration and Leadership degree from Kansas State University and graduated with a Mortuary Science degree from Kansas City Community College. Chris also serves as an adjunct instructor in the Mortuary Science department at Kansas City Kansas Community College. He has served on the KFDA Board since 2018 and the KFDA Disaster Committee. Chris lives in Olathe with his wife and three children.

Lisa Manley has served as a Funeral Director and Embalmer at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence for 24 years. She was raised in Scandia, Kansas and graduated from Pike Valley High School. She earned her Mortuary Science degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College.  With nearly 30 years of experience in funeral service, Lisa has worked as a Kansas Insurance Licensee for funding Prearranged Funerals.  She has served on the KFDA Board of Directors since 2022. Lisa lives in Eudora with her husband Colby and is the mother of two children.

Marty Mendicki is a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Carson-Wall Funeral Services in Parsons. He graduated from Parsons High School in 1992 and attended Labette Community College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Service in 1996 from the University of Central Oklahoma, at Edmond. He also attained the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (C.F.S.P.) in 2010. He began working part-time at Burris-Carson-Wall in January 1989 and continued employment there until transferring to U.C.O.  in May 1994.  He was employed at a funeral home in Independence after graduating, where he served most of his apprenticeship. He returned to Parsons and to Carson-Wall in May 1997.  Marty was elected to the KFDA Board of Directors in the Fall of 2016 and most recently served as President for the year 2024 – 2025.

Founded in 1897, the KFDA is committed to supporting, educating and advocating for licensed funeral directors, embalmers, and funeral homes across the state of Kansas. The association provides continuing education opportunities, legislative advocacy, and resources, to help members uphold the highest standards of ethical and compassionate care in end-of-life services. KFDA also serves as a liaison between the funeral profession and state agencies, while promoting public awareness about the value and importance of meaningful funeral practices.