I attended the Montana Funeral Directors Convention in Miles City last June, where I received the 60-year plaque as a licensed mortician, #262. I was deeply honored and was surprised with the video about my career.

The first funeral I attended was for a family friend at the Settergren Funeral Home in Billings. George Settergren originally started the business in Laurel in 1906 and then moved it to Billings in 1922. It ceased operating in 1980. I remember the vehicles: the pallbearers’ limo was a 1947 Chrysler, and the hearse was a 1949 Cadillac Superior. The next service I attended was at the original Smith Funeral Chapel in downtown Billings. The pallbearers’ limo was a 1949 Packard, and the hearse was a 1953 Cadillac Superior. I currently own a 1946 Cadillac Cathedral hearse and a 1956 Cadillac limousine-style hearse that I’m working on restoring.

I am a native of Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1957. I then attended Rocky Mountain College and Eastern Montana College, now MSU-Billings. I lived within a block of Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, which was started in 1956. I became acquainted with the owners, Bob Michelotti and John Sawyers, and I was able to gain employment with them to maintain the yard, clean the vehicles and perform custodial duties. At some point, they asked if I would care to drive for services and help with death calls and visitations. This is when I made my decision to become a mortician. I attended California College of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1962. I returned to Michelotti-Sawyers and was on staff for 13 years. I considered Bob Michelotti and John Sawyers as my mentors in funeral service.

I joined in partnership with William Brown and William Bray, and we had the opportunity to purchase the Smith Funeral Chapel from second-generation owner Howard Smith in 1975. Two years later, we acquired the Terrace Gardens Cemetery and adjoining funeral chapel, the Cashmore Funeral Chapels in Laurel and Columbus, and the Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge. Later, Ronald Stene became a partner. Today, all Smith Funeral Chapels are owned and operated by myself.

I owe thanks to my family for the support I needed to be able to do all the tasks involved in funeral service, particularly when I was on a 24-hour call. Many adjustments had to be made to family schedules. Special gratitude goes to my wife, Bonnie, who passed away in 2018, and to my sons, Jim and Lew.

I’ve been blessed with good staff over these many years. Today, I have a mostly young staff who are very competent individuals. The licensed staff are Kassity Sorlie, Ross Halvorson, Roy Olpin, and my grandson, Jered Musso. There are also many support staff.

I’ve seen many changes in funeral service over the years, from the days when there was one crematory in the state at Great Falls to now, where over 60% of mortuaries have crematories. As I look back over the years, I am honored to have been able to assist so many people in their time of losing a loved one. I hope I have been able to provide meaningful service to them and help them recover from their loss. I’ve recently reduced my schedule a little, but it is my desire to continue working.

Best regards,
Jered Scherer