Our Staff

Joe Kernke is the second generation of Smith & Kernke Funeral Directors. He graduated from Cascia Hall Preparatory School in 1962. After high school, he attended the University of Oklahoma, a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1966. Joe then attended Central State University and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Services. Joe's civic involvements include Past President of the Better Business Bureau, President of the Phi Delta Theta Oklahoma Housing Corporation, Past President of Committee of 100, Board of Directors of the Oklahoma County Mental Health Association, Rotary Club 29, Chairman of the Oklahoma Torchlight Education Foundation, Men's Dinner Club and the Advisory Board of the Credit Adjustment Company. Joe and his wife, Barbara, have been married since 1965 and they have three children, Brian, Todd and Keri.

Todd Kernke graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in 1988. After high school, he attended the University of Oklahoma, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and graduated with a degree in Finance/Economics. He went to work for Kirkpatrick Bank and operated the retail investment center for over 10 years. After being diagnosed with severe Crohn's Disease, Todd attended the University of Central Oklahoma and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Services and began working for his family's business. He is a member of the Committee of 100. Todd married Sally Parker Kernke in October 2011 and they have a daughter, Jane, who was born July 2013.

Keri Kernke graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in 1993 and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1997. Upon graduation, she worked for AT&T for 5 years. She is active in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma City. Keri is the manager and operator of Ever Faithful Pet Funeral Home and Crematory by Smith & Kernke, a full service operation for pets.

Brian Cogbill was born and raised in Joplin, MO. A 1992 graduate of Joplin High School, Brian came to Oklahoma to play football at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Brian graduated in 1996 from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Funeral Services. He has been married to Amber since 1995 and they have two children. He and his family attend LifeChurch. He is a member of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.

Rick Osborn grew up in Lawton, OK and graduated from Lawton High School. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1991 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Funeral Services. While in college, he served his apprenticeship at Smith & Kernke and returned to Smith & Kernke in 2007 from Ponca City. Rick has been married to Leslie since 1994 and they have three children, Austin, Lillie and Joshua. Rick attends the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium. He and his family attend Council Road Baptist Church and are active in each child's school and sporting activities.

Lily Johnson graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Funeral Services at the University of Central Oklahoma and has been working with Smith and Kernke since 2021, beginning as an apprentice. Lily grew up in Southeast Florida before coming to Oklahoma. She graduated high school in Barnsdall, OK in 2020 and moved down to Oklahoma City shortly after. In Lily’s free time, she loves to spend quality time with her family and likes to travel throughout the country whenever she can.

Jenna Howard graduated from Westmoore High School and afterward graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service from UCO, with a minor in Humanities as well as in Grief, Death, and Dying. While in college, she served her apprenticeship at Smith & Kernke and returned to Smith & Kernke after working at the Oklahoma Funeral Board and at other funeral homes in the Oklahoma City area. She married her husband in 2016, and they have one daughter and two very loved & spoiled dogs.

Joseph Baxter, a veteran funeral service professional with Oklahoma family roots, has built a distinguished career since 1992. He earned an Associate degree in Mortuary Science from Cypress Mortuary College, dual Bachelor’s degrees in Funeral Service and Marketing from University of Central Oklahoma and an MBA from the same institution.  Joseph was pleased to be able to contribute to the industry as an associate professor at Cypress Mortuary College, teaching introductory & advanced level embalming lectures and clinical labs, funeral home management and funeral rites and rituals courses.  Joseph has spent most of his career working and managing family-owned funeral homes. His extensive licensure includes Funeral Director and Professional Embalmer credentials in Oklahoma, Texas and California. Additionally, he is certified as a Crematory and Cemetery Manager in California.  In 2010, he broadened his professional experience and expertise internationally by being admitted to the British Institute of Embalmers.  He is an active member of several industry organizations, further solidifying his commitment to funeral service.

Shelia Brown came to work for Smith & Kernke in May 2016, retiring after 32 years as the Controller of the trade association AOGC. Shelia serves as our GriefShare coordinator and Ambassador. She has been a member of Quail Springs Baptist Church since 1991 and has served on many committees, is chairman of the Welcome Team and is a facilitator for GriefShare. Shelia and her late husband Preston have four children and eight grandchildren. She has always been service oriented and working with the Smith & Kernke staff is a perfect match for her talents.

Gary Thompson graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1970. He has spent his entire life in the funeral supply industry. His civic involvements include being the Past President of the Oklahoma Symphony Board of Directors as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the Red Bud Classic, coaching and supporting Casady High School football and Bishop McGuinness baseball. Gary has three children, Scott, Christy and Mark. He attends Crossings Community Church.

Recognized industry-wide for his technical training and forward thinking, Mr. Mitchell has more than five decades of experience in the funeral industry. With a record of high customer satisfaction as an owner/operator of funeral homes and related services, he has also achieved success in meeting corporate objectives. He holds accreditation as a Texas Funeral Director and Embalmer and an Oklahoma Funeral Director and Embalmer. In his free time, Mr. Mitchell serves in community organizations including the Committee of 100 of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Sinfonia. An avid hunter and fisherman, Mr. Mitchell “cleanses his soul” in the company of good friends who share his enthusiasm for the outdoors. He and his wife, Cathy, make their home in Oklahoma City.