Our History
St. John's Family Funeral Home & Crematory is committed to focus on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the families we serve.
Our goal is to make sure that every family that uses our services feels important. Whether a family is choosing to have a traditional funeral service or a memorial service with cremation, every family will be treated with dignity and respect.
With our beautiful 7,000 square foot family-friendly building, our on-site cremation facility and our warm and attentive staff, we can guarantee that our families receive the best value for funeral service in the surrounding areas.
-
George M. Kotrady, Funeral Director & Embalmer / Co-Owner
George was born in Kingston, New York and he moved to St. Augustine with his family in 1978. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1984 and from Flagler College in 1989 with a B.A. in Business Administration. He received his mortuary degree in 1992 from Lynn University in Boca Raton. George began his funeral career in 1985 working for Craig Funeral Home and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1993. He was employed there until June 2000, then was offered and accepted the location managers position at Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He then partnered with longtime friend, Randy Hudgins and together they purchased Croyle Funeral Home in 2001. In May of 2008 they moved into their new location and renamed it St. Johns Family Funeral Home. He has three daughters which keep him busy when he is not at the funeral home.
-
Randy Hudgins, Funeral Director & Embalmer / Co-Owner
Randy Hudgins is a second generation funeral director and has been serving families as a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1990. He was born and raised in Palatka, FL and later move to Titusville when his dad partnered with a longtime friend and established North Brevard Funeral Home. Randy has vast experience in the industry, starting at North Brevard Funeral Home and later managing Oak Lawn Cemetery in Titusville. Randy later moved to Panama City, FL to manage Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, Panama City's premier funeral home. He latered partnered with George Kotrady and purchased Croyle Funeral Home in 2001. Randy is married to Karen Moore Hudgins and they have six children. Randy and his family are very active with their church, Anastasia Baptist Church, where Randy served as a deacon. In addition to being a member of Anastasia Baptist church, he also holds membership in the St. Augustine Navy League and is a charter member of the Coastal Rotary Club.
-
Kris Erin Kratzer, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Kris joined St. Johns Family Funeral Home in 2014 after moving from her hometown in Ohio. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Florida; a 2006 graduate of Eastern High School and received her bachelor of Mortuary Science degree from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Kris takes pride in serving families and meeting each one’s unique needs. She resides in St. Augustine with her son, Liam.
-
Gary Croyle, Funeral Director & Embalmer / Former Owner
-
Donna J. McRorie, Family Service Coordinator, Pre-Arrangements, Grief Coordinator
Donna is a Family Service Counselor who helps assist families in making their pre-arrangements for family members or themselves in a caring compassionate way. Whether families are asking for assistance with service information, starting a permanent file or prefunding their final arrangements, Donna is always willing to help. Donna joined Randy and George in August of 2004 and has been a part of their funeral home ever since. Donna also assist with families who have experienced the loss of a love one connect with various local Grief Groups and available private counseling in the area. Donna also takes part in coordinating our annual Holiday Workshop every year, since holidays are especially hard for families after the loss of a love one.
-
Mary Lou Eby, Office Administrator
Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Mary Lou attended Gordon College, north of Boston, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. Upon her college graduation she enrolled at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary located near her alma mater, and received her Master of Arts Degree in Religious Education. A resident of St. Augustine for the past 15 years, she and her husband, Craig, a retired ordained minister, enjoy living close to their daughter and son-in-law who have given them the gift of eight grandchildren. Mary Lou joined the staff in 2009 and is proud to be a part of an outstanding funeral home, where families are cared for with fairness and compassion.
-
In Memory of Susie Russell
May 4, 1946 - April 7, 2019
Former Bookkeeper -
In Memory of Tom Stewart, Funeral Assistant
-
Dick Talbert
-
Wayne Osterling, Funeral Director/Embalmer
