THOMAS H. “TOM” JOHNSON
Dec 21, 2023
THOMAS H. “TOM” JOHNSON of Batesville, IN died December 21, 2023 at the age of 73. He embarked on a remarkable career revolutionizing the funeral service landscape. His journey included significant roles at Batesville Casket Company, International Funeral Service, and Pierce Brothers Mortuaries and Cemeteries, where he propelled the industry forward with visionary leadership and strategic innovations. Tom’s entrepreneurial spirit...
RICHARD A. “DICK” SIMPSON
Dec 18, 2023
RICHARD A. “DICK” SIMPSON of Northumberland, PA died December 18, 2023 at the age of 76. A licensed funeral director, he was employed for many years and was currently with the Zweier Funeral Home and Blank Funeral Home of Sunbury and the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home in Northumberland. A 1971 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science,...
HARRY MELVIN MONROE
Dec 16, 2023
HARRY MELVIN MONROE of Ottumwa, IA died December 16, 2023 at the age of 95. In 1956 he began working for Johnson Funeral Chapel as a funeral director, serving for over 35 years. In his retirement, Monroe continued to work for local funeral homes. He was a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association.
CHARLES R. “RICK” LANIER JR
Dec 15, 2023
CHARLES R. “RICK” LANIER JR of Lakeland, FL died December 15, 2023 at the age of 74. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Lanier Funeral and Cremation Services. Rick earned his degree in mortuary science from the Miami Dade College and was a past president of the Polk County Funeral Directors Association.
ROBERT PATRICK GAMBONEY
Dec 15, 2023
ROBERT PATRICK GAMBONEY of Oak Park, IL, formerly of the West Side of Chicago died December 15, 2023 at the age of 72. He was a funeral director for over 47 years in Oak Park.
ROBERT STEPHEN RAE
Dec 15, 2023
ROBERT STEPHEN RAE of York, PA died December 15, 2023 at the age of 65. A licensed funeral director, he was a trailblazer in the funeral insurance industry, having served as the founder of Golden Considerations, Inc., which earned national recognition.
PETER JAMES KRISTAN
Dec 14, 2023
PETER JAMES KRISTAN of Mundelein, IL died December 14, 2023 at the age of 66. A funeral director for over 40 years, he was an expert restorative reconstructionist and gifted make-up artist. Kristan served his apprenticeship at Piser Funeral Home in Chicago and continued his career with the family business, Kristan Funeral Home. He graduated from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science.
BARBARA F. HESTON
Dec 5, 2023
BARBARA F. HESTON of Huron Township, MI died December 5, 2023 at the age of 80. She was president and a third-generation owner of Michigan’s largest privately-owned cemetery, Michigan Memorial Park. She was a long-time member of ICCFA, the Michigan Cemetery Association, and was a past president of PAA (Pre-Arrangement Association).
CHARLES S. CHESTNUT III
Dec 4, 2023
CHARLES S. CHESTNUT III of Gainesville, FL died December 4, 2023 at the age of 83. A funeral director, he owned and operated Chestnut Funeral Home for over sixty years. Charles graduated from the Eckels School of Mortuary Science in 1961.
BRADLEY “BRAD” DENTON HARDISON
Nov 27, 2023
BRADLEY “BRAD” DENTON HARDISON of Ransomville, NY died November 27, 2023 at the age of 68. He worked alongside his father, Denton Hardison and uncle Gerald Hardison at the Hardison Funeral Homes as a funeral director and ultimately, the owner. Brad graduated with a degree in mortuary science from the Hudson Valley Community College in 1975 and was a...