EDWARD L. “ED” BRUINSMA
Sep 5, 2025
EDWARD L. “ED” BRUINSMA of Port Huron, MI died September 5, 2025 at the age of 72. A funeral director for over 40 years, he began his apprenticeship at Ford Funeral Home in Center Line. Bruinsma went on to work for Kaufman Chapel in Southfield for several years and had spent the bulk of his career at Kaul Funeral Home...
ALLEN D. STEINKE
Aug 26, 2025
ALLEN D. STEINKE of Galena, IL died August 26, 2025 at the age of 86. He began his career as a Deputy Coroner in Winnebago County and worked as a funeral director in Rockford and Loves Park, IL. In 1970, Steinke purchased Nash-Schmadeke Funeral Home in Galena and opened a second location in Scales Mound in 1980. He owned and...
ROBERT M. KILEY
Aug 23, 2025
ROBERT M. KILEY of Medina, OH died August 23, 2025 at the age of 84. He served 42 years as a funeral director with Waite Funeral Home, where he later became a partner and mentor to future generations. Kiley graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
JOSEPH W. “JOE” CASPER
Aug 18, 2025
JOSEPH W. “JOE” CASPER of South Boston, MA died August 18, 2025 at the age of 85. He was a funeral director who developed the family-owned and operated firm, Casper Funeral Home. His radio spot intro “I’m Joe Casper,” became iconic for the flourish of his memorable voice and the trust he inspired in listeners. He shared heartfelt stories of...
COLBY L. BROOKS
Aug 16, 2025
COLBY L. BROOKS of White Hall, IL died August 16, 2025 at the age of 53. He worked as a licensed funeral director and embalmer for Airsman-Hires Funeral Homes for nearly 30 years. A 1990 graduate of the Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Brooks served on the Calvary Cemetery board.
REV. DR. F. JOE GRIFFITH
Aug 15, 2025
REV. DR. F. JOE GRIFFITH of Elizabeth City, NC died August 15, 2025 at the age of 78. A licensed North Carolina funeral director since 1984, he worked at Twiford Funeral Home. Griffith retired in 2023 after 35 years of service.
JOHN CLINTON “JACK” REHKAMP
Aug 14, 2025
JOHN CLINTON “JACK” REHKAMP of Fargo, ND, formerly of Minneota, MN died August 14, 2025 at the age of 82. A Minnesota funeral director for over 40 years, he worked alongside his father, Joseph Rehkamp and brother, Paul in the family’s funeral homes. Jack was involved in Camp Amanda, now Healing Hearts Connection, a weekend camp for children who had...
FRED G. NICKELS IV
Aug 7, 2025
FRED G. NICKELS IV of Westlake, OH died August 7, 2025 at the age of 71. He worked alongside his family as a funeral director at Nickels Funeral Home.
THOMAS JEWETT FERNALD
Aug 5, 2025
THOMAS JEWETT FERNALD of Southwest Harbor, ME died August 5, 2025 at the age of 79. A funeral director for 45 years, he was a partner in Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes in Mount Desert and A. C. Fernald Sons, Inc. A graduate of the New England Institute of Mortuary Science, Fernald was a member of the Maine Funeral Directors Association and the National...
JAMES HAYDREN “JIM” WORLEY
Jul 30, 2025
JAMES HAYDREN “JIM” WORLEY of Stearns, KY died July 30, 2025 at the age of 78. A third-generation funeral director and embalmer, he owned and operated Hickman Funeral Home from 1974 until 1987. He graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1974.