Our Staff

John Bach

I grew up on a farm in rural Cooper county south of Boonville and graduated from Bunceton High School. I continued my education at Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, receiving a B.A. in Education. While in college, I met my wife to be, Raycene Frazier, who was, herself raised in Columbia, and is a graduate of Hickman High School. In 1970, Raycene and I were married and have lived in Columbia ever since, with Raycene losing her battle with cancer in May of 2014.
     I spent about 20 years in the automotive industry, first in auto parts and then as Service Manager for the Datsun/Nissan dealership in Columbia. In 1991, I received my Funeral Director’s license, when an opportunity arose to join the staff at Memorial Funeral Home. I was eventually promoted to manager in 1996, and continued in this capacity until 2006. Whether in the auto industry or the funeral industry, I believe the most important aspect is the care and service that can be provided for each individual or family.
     Having lived in central Missouri since I was a small child, Midwestern values of faith, family, honesty, and unwavering ethics are an integral part of my life. It is a privilege to be a co-owner/manager of Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, with those values being an integral part not only of my life, but also a core aspect of our business.
     We look forward to many years of service to Columbia and surrounding communities by offering personalized, loving care. Being truly locally owned, gives Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel an opportunity to serve our community without the impersonal trappings of a corporately owned funeral home.

Vernon Yager

I was raised on a farm north of Centralia, Missouri and attended Centralia public schools. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science Education from Truman State University. My funeral service career began as a part-time assistant at a funeral home in my hometown. I later graduated with honors from Kansas City Kansas Community College with a Mortuary Science Degree. I was honored by fellow classmates and mortuary science instructors with the Robert Todd Award for the graduating senior demonstrating the highest level of professional development and academics in the graduating class. 
  After graduation, I was employed as a funeral director and embalmer at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia for several years. Growing tired of working for a corporately owned firm, we purchased two small funeral homes in Howard County, Carr-Yager Funeral Home in Fayette and Markland-Yager Funeral Home in New Franklin, which I continue to operate, as well as assist at our Bach-Yager location in Columbia where I serve as a funeral director and am responsible for embalming and care of remains. 
  I have over 20 years experience in funeral service and am honored with the special trust families place in me to care for them at their time of loss.

Ryan S. Yager

Funeral Director

I grew up in Centralia and attended Centralia Public Schools, graduating in 2001. I continued my education at Columbia College where I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Administration in 2005. During my years at Columbia College, my father passed away and the Lord put it on my heart to start a career in the funeral profession. So, in 2007 I received an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science from Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado.  

I began my funeral service career in 2002 as a funeral assistant with Carr-Yager Funeral Home. When I felt this calling upon my life, I began working at Memorial Funeral Home where I worked for several years to gain experience.  

 

In 2011 my wife and I decided that a change of scenery may be good, so we moved 12 hours away to Morgan City, Louisiana where my wife has family. I began working for Twin City Funeral Home in February 2011 and became manager in 2013 and held that position until we felt the Lord calling us back home to Missouri, in June of 2022. Our time in Morgan City was some of the best times in our lives.

 

While in Louisiana being involved in the community was very important to me. I was a member of the East St. Mary Kiwanis Club from 2012-2022, where I served as a board member, President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President. I was also a board member and Vice President for the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.

 

I have dedicated over 20 years of my life to giving caring and compassionate service to families in need. I take great pride in knowing that I played just a small part in helping someone get through one of the most difficult times in their life, while also honoring their loved one’s life.

 

My wife Amber and our sons, Karson and Kolton are so glad to be back home in Central Missouri. Amber is teaching third grade at Christian Fellowship School, where our sons go to school. We are members of Christian Fellowship Church and are so happy to be a part of such a life-giving church. I look forward to getting involved in local civic organizations to help me get reconnected to the community.

 

When I’m not working, I enjoy making memories with my family camping, riding my motorcycle, or playing golf.

I am honored to be home and assist families at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, Markland-Yager Funeral Home, and Carr-Yager Funeral Home with personalized service, given with care and respect.