For 125 years, Roper & Sons has been a cornerstone in the Lincoln community, helping families honor the lives of their loved ones. What began as a small funeral service in 1901 has grown into the only locally owned funeral business in Lincoln, with five chapels to serve families throughout our community and beyond. Through strong leadership and advancements in funeral care over the years, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to caring for people.
A Beginning in Lincoln: 1901-1921
Our story began in 1901 when Charles H. Roper and Charles Beecher began offering funeral services to Lincoln families. Within two years, R. O. Castle joined the business, forming Castle, Roper & Matthews.
As the Lincoln community grew, so did the need for services that could better support families. In 1906, we purchased Lincoln’s first horse-drawn ambulance, an early example of our commitment to meeting the needs of the community. Five years later, in 1911, the partners built a new mortuary at 1319 N Street, establishing a dedicated space to serve families.
In 1921, R. O. Castle decided to leave the business partnership, and that’s when Charles H. Roper and Jack Matthews took ownership. This marked another chapter for Roper & Sons, setting the stage for the next generation of leaders.
The Vision Forward: 1927-1966
Over the next three decades, several of Charles H. Roper’s family members would become part of the business before his death in 1957, including his sons, Max and Reg, who joined the team in 1927, and Charles “Pooch” Roper, who joined in 1954. At the time of Charles H.’s passing, Roper & Sons had been serving the Lincoln area for more than half a century. His vision for the future—to continue growing and serving people—set the path forward for all those who came after him.
In 1956, we purchased property at 4300 O Street with the vision of building a new, modern funeral home. Today, our Midtown Chapel remains a central hub for Roper & Sons.
In 1966, Bill Roper joined the team, strengthening our leadership and supporting the vision.
Growing with Lincoln: 1982-2004
As Lincoln and the surrounding communities continued to grow, so did Roper & Sons, expanding our facilities and leadership to meet the changing needs of families. In 1982, Tom Roper joined the business, eventually becoming President and Co-owner. Dean Schneider joined the team in 1995 and, within three years, became Vice President and Co-owner. Together, their leadership has helped guide Roper & Sons into a new era of growth while maintaining our focus on providing compassionate, personal care.
For Roper & Sons, growth would extend beyond the O Street location in Lincoln. In 2002, the Waverly Chapel was built at 1085 N. 148th Street in Waverly, Nebraska. Following that was the acquisition of the Metcalf Chapel at 247 N. 27th Street in Lincoln and the Firth Chapel at 309 Nemaha Street in Firth, Nebraska, in 2004.
Roper & Sons’ South Chapel, located at 3950 Hohensee Drive in Lincoln, is the most recent addition to our funeral homes. Built in 2017, the South Chapel was envisioned as a way to serve families on the south side of Lincoln and in the surrounding communities. Today, our South Chapel serves as more than a funeral home, hosting various events for our community.
Our Commitment for the Future
Reaching 125 years is more than a business milestone. It represents generations of families who have placed their trust in Roper & Sons, the people who have dedicated their careers to caring for others, and the community relationships built along the way.
While our locations have grown and the ways families choose to remember their loved ones continue to evolve, we remain committed to what has mattered since 1901: being there for families when they need us most, offering guidance and compassion, and helping people honor the lives that mean so much to them.
After 125 years of caring, that commitment is as meaningful as ever.