Our History
The Bogner family and staff of dedicated licensed funeral directors are available at any time to assist you and your family. We are here to walk with you and to provide help and guidance so that the services may be a healing experience.
For over 58 years the Bogner Family has proudly served the needs of our community with caring and compassionate services, always keeping in mind that we are here to serve. As the needs of our community have evolved over the years, so have the services we provide. So in 2013, we became the first traditional funeral home in Lorain County to have a crematory on site. Therefore, if cremation is what is chosen, we hope that it gives you peace of mind to know we can provide this service without your loved one having to leave our care.
We believe that every life is worth celebrating. When a loved one has passed it can be a very difficult time, but we are here to help start the healing process. By providing a meaningful service, we can mark the passing and celebrate the life that has been lived. But more importantly the service can help those who survive to go on. The services can provide an opportunity for family and friends to show their love and support. It is comforting to know that you are not alone and that the people around you care.
In 2013, the Bogner Family marked 50 years in Funeral Service
In 1963, Harold and Kathy Bogner opened the first funeral home in North Ridgeville in the former Snyder century home. The Bogner Family has been proud to serve the community for over 50 years and have established a reputation of personal, compassionate service at reasonable cost.
In 1997, as Harold and Kathy slowed their pace, David and his wife Mary Beth, built a new 7000 Sq. Ft. more modern funeral home at 36625 Center Ridge Road, now known as Bogner Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services. From this location they could accommodate much larger funeral and memorial services. This facility was designed and built as a funeral home, so it is all on one level with no steps for visitors to traverse. David and Mary Beth Bogner have continued the tradition of personal, compassionate service at a reasonable cost. In 2021, Nicholas Bogner, David and Mary Beth's son, became the third generation to serve the community when he earned his license as a funeral director and embalmer. In addition to the Bogner family, the funeral home employs full time licensed funeral director and embalmer, Joseph Erni, and funeral director Kenneth Lutke.
David states: We would like to thank the many families we have had the privilege to serve. We appreciate them faithfully thinking of us in their time of need. We would also like to thank the many people that have recommended us to others, for there is no greater compliment. Our family feels blessed and we look forward to serving the community for many years to come.
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David Bogner, Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator
David began his career in funeral service in 1983, while working with his parents in North Ridgeville. He has owned and operated the Bogner Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services since 1996. He grew up in North Ridgeville and is a graduate of North Ridgeville High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University, and a degree in Mortuary Science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in the Spring of 1991. He has received many awards including the Charles Dhonau Memorial Award for highest excellence in Embalming technology. David enjoys serving his community in many ways. In addition to working at the funeral home, he volunteers his time with several community organizations. He has served as president of the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce, the North Ridgeville Lions Club and is active with the Knights of Columbus. He currently serves as President of the Board of Trustees of North Ridgeville Community Care. He also volunteers as manager of St. Peter's Cemetery.
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Mary Beth Bogner, Licensed Funeral Director
Mary Beth Bogner received her Bachelors degree in Education from Ashland University. Mary Beth grew up in North Ridgeville and is a graduate of North Ridgeville High School. Mary Beth became a licensed funeral director in 1999. She enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering her time with several community groups. She is currently serving as Secretary of North Ridgeville Arts Council. She and her husband David are blessed with two children, Samantha and Nicholas
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Nicholas David Bogner, Funeral Director Embalmer Certified Crematory Operator
Nick Bogner, son of David and Mary Beth, grew up in North Ridgeville and graduated from North Ridgeville High School in 2014. He earned his Bachelors of Mortuary Science Degree in 2019 from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Nick has been employed at the funeral home for many years becoming licensed as a funeral director and embalmer in January 2021. He is a certified crematory operator and certified celebrant. Nick is a member of St. Peter Church in North Ridgeville.
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Harold and Kathy Bogner, Licensed Funeral Directors
Harold and Kathy Bogner started the first funeral home in North Ridgeville in 1963. They both are truly committed to serving others and continue to be licensed funeral directors. Harold and Kathy have been very active in many community groups and continue to give back today. Kathy especially enjoyed becoming involved in the first renovation of the Olde Town Hall Theater. She recognized the need for support for the arts in the community and schools and with a committee of civic minded citizens founded the North Ridgeville Arts Council. This organization has been serving the city for over thirty years. Harold was instrumental in establishing the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce, and more recently co-chaired the major fund raising committee to build the Community Care Building to serve the less fortunate of the city. In 2011, Harold was honored to be recognized by the Ohio Funeral Director's Association for 50 years as a licensed funeral director and Embalmer.
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Joseph Erni, Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator
Joseph Erni is a licensed funeral director,embalmer and certified crematory operator with over 27 years in funeral service. Joseph grew up in Brooklyn, Ohio and graduated from Brooklyn High School. He went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree from Kent State University and his Associate of Applied Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Joseph had been a licensed funeral director for 14 years in a Cleveland area funeral home before joining the Bogner Family Funeral Home in 2011. He is a member of the Embalmers Association of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Funeral Directors Association and the Greater Lorain Funeral Directors Association. Joseph and his wife Allison have two children at home, Anika and Dresden.
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Kenneth Lutke, Funeral Director and Certified Crematory Operator
Ken grew up in Strongsville and is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton. He has worked in sales and manufacturing for over 28 years and joined the funeral home in 2017. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Certified Crematory Operator. Ken is a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church and is active in many church and community organizations including Helping Hands, Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis. He and his wife Patricia have two children, Courtney and Ryan.
