David was born and raised in Bay City, Michigan, graduated from All Saints High School in 1985. He then went on to attend Delta College to complete his prerequisites in Mortuary Science, then went on to attend Wayne State University and served his class as Student Faculty Representative, graduating with his degree in Mortuary Science in May 1990. He then returned home to join his father, Jerry and brother, Doug in the family business, making his a second generation funeral director. In 2015 David received recognition from the Michigan Funeral Directors Association for being licensed for 25 years. Upon his father’s death in 2001, he and his brother purchased the funeral home creating a partnership, then following his brother’s death in 2017 David and Nicole are now the sole owner of the business. David and his wife of 30 years, reside in Bangor Township. They have two sons, Brandon a 2015 graduate of John Glenn High School and a 2019 graduate of Michigan State University who is now applying to Vet School and Tyler is attending Delta College for Welding Engineering and will transfering to Ferris State University in the fall of 2023 for his bachelors in Welding Engineering and they also have a fur baby, Oliver who they rescued.
David is the past president of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District #7, former Board Member of the Finance Committee at Our Lady of Peace Parish, former Board Member of the Bay County Historical Society. Current memberships include, Our Lady of Peace Parish, Bay City Lions Club, Bay City Moose Lodge #169, Board member of the Toni and Trish House, Wenona Lodge #169, Elf Khurafeh Shriner, National Funeral Directors Association, Michigan Funeral Directors Association. David and his family have always been supporters of this great community that we live in, helping in any way we can. One thing that David and Doug continued was what their father stared back in 1976 sponsoring Little League Baseball Teams at Northwest and Southwest Little League.
David has a passion for yard work, and many times you will see him outside the funeral home maintaining the grounds, he also developed a passion for Stock Car Racing at an early age, his mother would drop him off at Standish Speedway on Friday Nights on the way to the family cabin then pick him up after the races were over. That passion still exist today, on most Friday nights you will find him at Tri City Speedway and over the years he has sponsored, Figure 8 cars and now currently has three cars he sponsors at Tri City. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends, loves to bow hunt, going snowmobiling with his son Tyler, going out on the boat and going on family vacations.
Rico Jacob Fierros is a recent graduate from Wayne State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science in 2017. Throughout his time at Wayne State, he worked at a Funeral Home in Taylor and in Dearborn, where he had the opportunity to become fully immersed in the career of a funeral director. Not only was Rico busy working at the funeral home, but he was also a Chicano-Boricua Studies (CBS) Scholar and a member of CHAMPS where he received the TIP Scholarship and was a very active representative at events like Fostering Success Michigan, which is an initiative that aims to increase access and success in higher education and post-college careers for youth with experience in foster care, all throughout his time there. Once he graduated from Wayne State, he began his apprenticeship at Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. and was offered a position as a licensed funeral director upon the completion of this (July 2018). Rico is a Michigan native and originally from Caro, where he attended Caro High School, graduating in 2012. He became very interested in the mortuary field through experience with a Funeral Home in Caro, during his time in middle school. Rico’s father passed away early in his college career and his entire experience with the funeral home and directors confirmed that this was what he truly wanted to do with his life. He wanted to serve families with compassion, respect, and consideration for all of their own unique needs and ensure a memorable experience. Rico resides in Bay City with his wife, Alyssa, and their daughter, Mya. When Rico is not working, he enjoys playing video games, spending time with friends and family, watching movies and television, playing guitar, and attending concerts.
Alex Appold was born and raised in Frankenlust Township and graduated from Valley Lutheran High School in 2016. Her passion for working in the field of mortuary science began at a young age. Often described as caring, compassionate, and empathetic, she discovered a passion for helping family members honor and grieve their loved ones through the field of mortuary science. Alex feels that the role of a funeral director is to provide services to loved ones to guide them through some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Alex attended Delta College for three years, where she began her education in the mortuary sciences. She completed her undergraduate education at Wayne State University where she received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mortuary Science. Throughout her time at Wayne State, she gained skills and knowledge in embalming, funeral service law, grief psychology, and organizing funeral services. She also completed her practicum experiences at Gephart Funeral Home during this time. Upon graduation, Alex earned the C. Beaver Edwards Restorative Arts Award, for her exceptional knowledge and application of the restorative arts.
Following graduation from Wayne State University in 2020. Alex began her apprenticeship with Gephart Funeral Home. She was offered a full-time position as a Licensed Funeral Director in early 2021. At Gephart, she works one-on-one with family members to create meaningful funeral services, establish pre-arrangements, and guide families in making difficult decisions after the passing of a loved one.
Alex is a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Frankenlust. When she is not working, Alex loves spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys being in nature, camping, and taking walks with her golden retriever, Malibu.
April 27, 1937 - July 7, 2001
Former Owner/Funeral Director
January 26, 1963 - February 22, 2017
Former Owner/Funeral Director
