04/27/2026
For those who have heard, the rumors are true.
It comes with great sadness and a profound love for the community that we’ve built to announce that the Kaatz Family legacy is coming to an end. John, who has owned and operated the funeral homes for the last six years by himself following his father's unexpected passing, is now retiring. While we are celebrating this new, well-deserved venture for John, we know our staff and many families will miss him dearly.
For more than 66 years, the Kaatz Family has been honored to serve our hometown of Yale and the surrounding cities, townships, and communities in St. Clair and Macomb County.
At the young age of 14, Richard “Dick” Kaatz knew his calling was to help people care for their loved ones at the time of passing, and he remained a licensed funeral director for 68 years. John followed in his father's footsteps, joining him at work at age 14, and upon John’s retirement, he will have spent 50 years in the industry. Over the course of 66 years, Dick operated six funeral homes, four remaining in operation under his son, John, and served many, many families who still remember his devotion and expertise as a small-town funeral director.
While things may start to look different over the next few weeks and months, one thing will remain the same… the funeral homes will be operated by amazing funeral directors who own and operate family-owned funeral homes of their own. They will be assisted by many of our current staff members; don’t worry, there will still be familiar faces and voices around.
We thank each and every one of our families for trusting us with your loved ones over the past several decades, as we leave our communities in great hands for the decades to come. Thank you for your trust and support.
We welcome both Jansen Family Funeral Home and Grace Memorial as the new owners.
Now we reminisce on the memories made from birthdays and April Fools jokes to passing out Halloween candy, MFDA conventions, work Christmas parties, and more with our staff who make the best out of everything!
