Who We Are

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.

• The Early Years

  It was over 100 years ago that Joseph A. Butler, Sr. (left) founded his funeral home at 753 Central in Kansas City, Kansas.

  In 1922 his son, Harry Butler (right), formally joined his father in the business. They opened a second location at 22 South 18th Street, in Kansas City, Kansas and the name for both the locations became Joseph A. Butler and Son. The funeral homes continued under their management and that name until Joseph A. Butler, Sr.’s death in 1938.

  His death brought change to the name of the firm, when Mrs. Joseph A. Butler Sr. gave her half of the partnership to another son. The partnership, reflected in the new name, became known as Joseph A. Butler’s Sons.

  A Bit of History

  President & Mrs. Harry Truman as they attended Governor Docking’s Funeral which was under Joseph A. Butler Sons direction.

  Harry following in the footsteps of his father, Joseph A. Butler, Sr. was quite active in political and civic affairs of the community. Closest to his heart was the Police and Fire Canteen. Along with his wife Gladys for years had served coffee and soda from the trunk of their car when the police and fireman were on extended duty. In the early 1940’s Harry founded and funded the police and fire canteen. He converted an old City bus to enable them to add soup and sandwiches to the menu. They carried underwear and socks so the men could come onto the bus and change. Their under garments often froze to their bodies when they got wet from the water fighting the fire. A canteen committee was formed consisting of active community members who deemed it an honor to serve- even when called out in the middle of the night. The Mayor and Police Chief were always active members.

  Does Anyone Remember?

  Atwater Kent Radios…and the Atwater Kent Hour’s Contest for Best Male and Female Vocalists?

  Gladys Morrison Butler

  It was a long time ago, so if you don’t know about the remarkable radios and the even more remarkable Atwater Kent Hour we’re not surprised.

  During the late 1920s, the radio show had a nationwide contest, designed to find the best of the best, the crème de la crème, of American singing talent. Gladys Morrison Butler, wife of Harry Butler, and mother to Mary and Tom, won the honor of Best Female Vocalist, and became very well- known throughout greater Kansas City.

  Gladys Morrison age 21 Schubert Theatre, May 19, 1926

  Gladys in her early 20s performed with the Civic Opera and toured as a member of the R.K.O. Circuit These were artist who preformed live between movies at R.K.O. Theaters across the country. In this capacity, she had the opportunity to meet Red Skelton, Lucile Ball, Buddy Rogers, and many others who were also beginning their careers in this venue. She sang for a short time on C.B.S. as the singing voice on a Soap, called modern Cinderella. These programs were very popular during that era. This necessitated living in Chicago. Being away from her family was not for her. She returned to Kansas City where she sang at funerals, weddings, political and civic occasions, such as the dedication of the New Wyandotte High School in 1937. She sang at the National Birthday Ball for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1934 and for many years she sang at the annual Harry Truman’s Birthday Breakfast in Kansas City. She was asked by the chambers of Commerce to represent Kansas City, Kansas on the Major Bowes Armature hour, when Kansas City, Kansas was the featured City.

  Even more interesting is the fact that Harry Butler had a weekly radio show broadcast from the South 18th facility, and Gladys was often a featured singer. Harry also proudly engaged Gladys to serve as the vocalist for the funeral home. She continued to sing at many of our funerals and memorial services for many years.

  The Later Years

  In 1962, Harry founded the Harry Butler Associated Funeral Home in North Kansas City, Missouri.

  In 1964 he opened an additional facility at 6300 Parallel, Kansas City, Kansas, the Harry Butler and Sons Funeral Home.

  Harry, and his son, Thomas, managed the three locations until Harry’s death in 1971. Sadly, his death occurred just 3 months short of his 50th anniversary in the Funeral Business.

  Late in 1971 Harry’s son, Tom, decided to pursue his life-long dream of commanding his own craft in ocean waters. Adventurously, he moved to the Virginia Beach–Norfolk, Virginia area and became a Yacht Broker. He lived his dream until his untimely death some fifteen years later. Also in 1971, at that same time, Harry’s daughter Mary Butler Meyers assumed management duties of the firm. She continued in that role until December 1984, when the 18th Street Chapel was sold and the Parallel Chapel was leased to a small corporation, Centurion. This corporate tenure lasted a mere two years when Centurion was acquired by a large international corporation.

  This corporate tenure lasted mere 14 years. In 1998, when it was time to renew the 6300 Parallel lease, the family decided to reacquire that location. It was their goal to once again offer personalized service to families.

  Mary Butler Meyers, joined by her husband Max and son Curt, reopened as a family-owned and family-managed firm.

  Family Tradition

  Our commitment to you is providing compassionate, caring service. Being the 3rd, 4th and 5th generations makes us extremely aware of the tradition of trust and integrity my father, Harry Butler and our grandfather and great grandfather Joseph A. Butler Sr. have left us. Our goal is to offer personal service associated with our family since 1905.

  In the ten years since we re-established our connection to the Parallel Chapel, we’ve only grown in our sense of duty to the families of Kansas City.

  A Return to Commitment, Dedication, and Personal Service

  We are proud of our tradition at Mary Butler Meyers Funeral Home and feel fortunate that the 4th and 5th generations are assisting in the task of seeing to your needs. Our daughter Kathleen Meyers Baska, Asst. Funeral Director, Certified Pre-Need Consultant and Life Insurance Agent, and her daughter, our granddaughter, Marya Paluka join in keeping the family tradition, and caring for your family with complete funeral services, cremation, and pre-arrangements.

  Kathleen joined the family business in 2001, and two years later she was awarded her Life Insurance License, so she could serve as our pre-need consultant and specialist. Her warm and caring way has made her a favorite with our families, who have remained so loyal and continue to allow us to serve them at their time of need.

  You can be assured that compassionate service literally 'runs in the family.' We now look forward to having the 5th generation of the Butler-Meyer-Baska clan involved in the operation of our firm.