Meet the Staff
Dr. Stacey Funderburk graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. After graduation, she partnered with Dr. Marion Bliler to form Countryside Veterinary Service. Dr. Stacey enjoys the excitement and challenges of mixed animal practice. She resides on the farm in Morrisonville with her husband Keith, daughter Reagan, and son Hayden. When she is not in the office, Stacey enjoys spending time with her family and hosting dinner parties.
Dr. Chad O’Connor graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Prior to veterinary school, he received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Illinois. Dr. O’Connor is looking forward to the variety of challenges that mixed animal practice presents. His strongest interests lie in large animal production and medicine, reproduction, and surgery. Dr. O’Connor grew up in Herscher, IL where he raised show pigs, feeder cattle, and a variety of other species typical of small family farm. In his spare time, he enjoys watching and playing sports, spending time with his family and friends, and hanging out with his pets.
Dr. Natalie Kocek graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2017. Prior to veterinary school, she received her bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in chemistry from the University of Illinois. Natalie is looking forward to the variety of cases seen in mixed animal practice and especially enjoys working with cattle, dogs, and cats. Dr. Natalie grew up in Vernon Hills, IL where her family has a produce farm. She also raised 4-H show pigs as a kid. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, hiking, trail riding, and spending time with family and friends. Her and her husband also love to spoil their two dogs and two cats.
Ashley Newberry graduated from Hickey Vet Tech Institute in St. Louis, May 2015. She joined Countryside after finishing her externship with us. She hopes in the future to specialize in equine as a Veterinarian Technician. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, and riding her horses.
Amy went to Lincoln Land Community College for the Veterinary Assistant program after she graduated from Nokomis High School in 2015. She lives in Nokomis with her family and her new puppy Dixie.
Nicky Schmedeke began working at the clinic after she graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor’s in Science and Agriculture with a certification of Veterinary Technician. Nicky started at the clinic in December of 2014 and currently lives in Morrisonville, IL. In her free time, she likes to help her family on the family farm and play with her pet rabbit, Freckles.
BreAnna just graduated from Taylorville High School and will be attending Lincoln Land Community College in the fall. She is very excited about her next step with school and her position here at Countryside!
JT joined the clinic in 2016 and became the Practice Manager at both the Countryside and Nokomis Clinics in 2018. Before he moved to Taylorville, he studied Equestrian Science and Horse Science Technology at Black Hawk East in Galva, IL.
He is from Edwardsville, IL where he grew up spending most of his time outdoors and working on a horse farm. In his free time he still enjoys being outside with family and friends.
Nikki started her career in the grooming industry back in 2005. She started out just bathing dogs and trimming their toenails. For two years, she took every opportunity to learn everything she could about the art of grooming and educating the pet owners on grooming. In late 2007, Nikki went to the Grooming Academy where she spent 4 weeks learning all the different patterns for small and large breeds. She earned her Professional Dog Grooming Certificate in December of 2007. Nikki has been grooming ever since. She also went to Salon Management Training to become a manager. While there, she was able to train other associates how to groom.
Call us: 217-824-3051
201 South Water Street Taylorville, IL 62568
Fax: (217) 824-3052
Business Hours
Monday-Wednesday & Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am-7pm
Saturday: 8:00am-12:00pm
Sunday: Closed