retired funeral director and owner, Branson, Missouri, died October 20, 2020, at age 84. Sievers served in the U.S. Army in Korea and the Far East. After his honorable discharge in 1957, he attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, as well as the University of Minnesota. After graduation, he served his apprenticeship at Huebner Funeral Home (Denison, Iowa). In 1962, he and his wife moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was employed by Laufersweiler Funeral Home. In 1964, he moved to Humbold, where he established Sievers Funeral Home. From 1971-74, he returned to Fort Dodge as manager of Laufersweiler Funeral Home.

In 1974, he served as vice president of Crest-Pak Inc. (now Liguria Foods) and in 1975 was named president and chairman of the board, a position he held until 1985, when the company was sold. It was during his tenure as president that he was awarded the Iowa Regional Business Man of the Year award by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In 1987, Sievers entered into partnership with Joe Laufersweiler, and they operated several funeral homes in northwestern Iowa. After his retirement and move to Branson, he remained active in the business as a board member and consultant.

Sievers was a former member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and was awarded his 50-year service pin in 2011. He was a former member and officer of Humboldt Fire Department, past member of Humboldt City Council and past president of Humboldt Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by daughter Kelly, two granddaughters and a brother and half-sister.

retired funeral director and past owner, Stark Memorial Funeral Home, Salem, Ohio, died November 22, 2020, at age 92. Loudon served his apprenticeship at Eckard Funeral Home in Akron, Ohio, and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1950. In 1956, he purchased part ownership of Stark Memorial from Jack R. Harroff, along with partner James Giffin, who later retired. Loudon became sole owner of Stark Memorial in 1978 and was dedicated to his work for 60 years.

Loudon’s memberships included the Saxon Club, Salem Hose Club, past president and member of Salem Rotary Club, Salem Elks, a 64-year Mason and Al Koran Shrine. He was the last remaining founding member and past president of the Winona Ruritan Club. He was past president of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, a 25-year member of the Salem Community Hospital Board of Trustees, a Salem City Health Department board member and former chairman of the United Way. He was also honored by Salem Historical Society as the Citizen of the Year in 2018 and given a special award by the chamber of commerce and Beautification Committee for the landscaping that surrounded Stark Memorial.

He is survived by wife Marilyn, daughter Julie and two grandchildren.

retired funeral director and owner, Anthony Ferragine Funeral Home, Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, died November 11, 2020, at age 94. Ferragine was a graduate of Eckles College of Mortuary Science, which he attended after his discharge from the U.S. Navy after World War II. He served his apprenticeship at King Funeral Home in Ridgway and then worked for Ubel’s in Johnsonburg for many years as a funeral director, carpet layer, furniture store worker and delivery man. In 1962, Ferragine opened Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and was active until this summer, attending a continuing education course in June. He was one of the oldest active licensed funeral directors in the state of Pennsylvania.

Ferragine was a life member of the Johnsonburg Elks, the Elk County Planning Commission and Elk County Children and Youth. He was also in the Yellow Jackets and Diplomats Drum and Bugle Corps. He is survived by wife Veronica; children Gemma, Frank and Veronica; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

retired funeral director, Dewey Funeral Home, Alma, Michigan, died August 14, 2020, at age 82. Dewey was a graduate of Alma College and Ferris Institute and served his apprenticeship in his father’s funeral home, which he eventually bought. Dewey served on the board of Commercial Bank for 22 years and was a Rotarian and an Elks Club member. He is survived by wife Barbara, daughters Patti and Peggy, and six grandchildren

funeral director and president, Brell & Son Funeral Home, Maysville, Kentucky, died November 17, 2020, at age 70. He is survived by wife Pam, daughter Marsha Ann, son Joseph, stepson Corey and four grandchildren.

retired funeral director and owner, Ambrose Funeral Home, Baltimore, Maryland, died November 13, 2020, at age 77. Ambrose Funeral Home’s growth is largely credited to Ambrose, second-generation owner. His drive, passion and dedication to service garnered him the trust of Arbutus, Lansdowne and surrounding communities. He is survived by wife Barbara, sons Joseph Jr. and Sean, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

retired funeral director and owner, Ambrose Funeral Home, Baltimore, Maryland, died November 13, 2020, at age 77. Ambrose Funeral Home’s growth is largely credited to Ambrose, second-generation owner. His drive, passion and dedication to service garnered him the trust of Arbutus, Lansdowne and surrounding communities. He is survived by wife Barbara, sons Joseph Jr. and Sean, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

retired funeral director and owner, Willoughby Funeral Home, Howard, South Dakota, died November 3, 2020, at age 89. Sherman was among the first women to hold a funeral director’s license in South Dakota. She was also a registered nurse and president of the South Dakota Lung Association for ­several years. Active in Civic League, Sherman worked on celebrations of various City of Howard anniversaries. She and her late husband owned and operated various businesses in Howard, including Model ­Cleaners, a Standard Oil gas station, Willoughby Funeral Home, a laundromat and a propane business. She is survived by children Larry and Ann, six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

funeral director/owner, Vase Funeral Home, Rock Springs, Wyoming, died June 25, 2020, at age 65. Vase Willingham was a graduate of San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and a member of NFDA and the Wyoming Funeral Directors Association. She was actively involved in all aspects of the ambulance service and funeral home, and tirelessly served the people of Sweetwater County. She is survived by husband Byron, son David, daughters Anastasia and Kassandra, and three grandchildren.

funeral director, The McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson, South Carolina, died September 14, 2020, at age 71. Kerr graduated from Kentucky Mortuary Science College in Louisville, and in 1966 met his access to the funeral business via Douglas C. McDougald, who instantly recognized his passion, intelligence and affable personality. Little did he know then about Kerr’s amazing eidetic memory; he was well known for remembering the families he served, calling each by name.

Kerr was a longtime member of NFDA, the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia. He also served several terms on the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service and was a certified funeral service practitioner with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He is survived by wife Patricia, daughter Suzanne, sons Kevin and Shane, and six grandchildren.

retired funeral director, R. Lee Williams Funeral Home, St Petersburg, Florida, died September 27, 2020, at age 84. Dane served in the U.S. Army and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He later became a sales representative for Deaton-Kennedy Company. Dane’s devotion to the funeral industry was unparalleled. He became president of Pinellas County Funeral Home Association, the Florida Funeral Home Association, the Georgia Funeral Supply Sales Association and the Florida Funeral Supply Association. He was a member of NFDA and the Georgia Funeral Directors Association, and past president of the Florida Funeral Directors Association. Dane was also a member of Knights of Columbus and Disabled American Veterans. He is survived by wife Suzanne, sons David and Todd, and three grandchildren.