funeral director, W.L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, Saginaw, Michigan, died September 21, 2023, at age 76. Tapley began his career in Iowa as a teacher of students with special needs. Later, he worked for several funeral homes in Michigan (Utica, Bay City and Saginaw). He began his career with W.L. Case and Company in September 2003 and retired in January 2016. Tapley continued to help out at W.L. Case until August 2023. He is survived by wife Martha; children Suzanne, Christopher and Joshua; and four grandchildren

retired funeral director and former owner, Rossi Funeral Home, Canton, Ohio, died September 20, 2023, at age 96. Rossi attended Cleveland College of Mortuary Science and served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Upon returning, he worked alongside father Adam Sr. at Rossi Funeral Home. After the death of their father, Rossi and brother Marion worked side by side for more than 50 years. Rossi and his wife volunteered at the Ohio Funeral Directors Association Convention and enjoyed many friendships over the years. He was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and NFDA, and a contributor to the OFDA SAC [scholarship program] and OFDA PAC. He was formerly president of OFDA District 16 Funeral Directors and, at the time of his death, served as chairman of the board. Rossi was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Columbus, among many other civic organizations. He is survived by wife Anita; sons Jim, Stephen and Kenneth; ­brother Marion; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Saline, Michigan, died September 17, 2023, at age 80. Robison became a skilled drummer, joining with the million sellers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Johnny and the Hurricanes, which he toured with after high school. In 1962, the band headlined at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, where The Beatles were their opening act. Robison later attended Bowling Green University and Ohio University and graduated from Toledo University with a Bachelor of Science degree. As an undergrad, he worked part time for a local funeral home, where his interest in mortuary science was inspired. But the call of the outdoors was strong and he began graduate courses in landscape architecture at the University of Michigan. Ultimately choosing mortuary science, Robison graduated with high honors from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and returned to Michigan, joining Muehlig Chapel in Ann Arbor and beginning a career of more than 50 years as a funeral director. Overlapping his studies, he served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1983, Robison and family relocated to Saline in anticipation of his becoming the next owner of Bahnmiller Funeral Home. Eight months later, the dream was realized with the closing of the sale of the firm and Robison set out to serve the Saline community with an uncanny ability to remember who was related to whom, where they lived and where their family members were buried. Robison is survived by wife Alison, children Emily and Stephen (a funeral director with the firm), and four grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, O’Brien-Sullivan Funeral Home, Novi, Michigan, died September 9, 2023, at age 87. O’Brien began his career as an apprentice at Ted C. Sullivan Funeral Home. After serving his country during the Korean War, he returned to work and earned his degree from the Wayne State University Department of Mortuary Science. O’Brien worked with Sullivan for decades and grew the business to O’Brien-Sullivan Funeral Home. His dedication to the profession extended to his active involvement with the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, NFDA and other organizations. O’Brien was also known for his civic involvement, including membership in the Novi Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and Order of Alhambra. He is survived by children Mark, Bridget, John, Colleen, Marianne and Ron; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

retired funeral director, New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association past president and former owner of Brisson & Kent Funeral Home, Newmarket, New Hampshire, died September 12, 2023, at age 98.

retired funeral director and former owner, Plummer Funeral Homes, Windsor and Augusta, Maine, died September 22, 2023, at age 95. Murphy was in funeral service for more than 72 years; he graduated cum laude from McAllister College of Embalming in New York and passed his state boards a month prior to graduation. He also served in the Maine Army National Guard during the 1940s. He was president of Plummer Funeral Home, which he had purchased in 1962, and he built another location in Windsor in 2004. Murphy was a member of and served in numerous community organizations, including the Maine Funeral Directors Association, where he served on its Disaster Response Team; NFDA; the Maine State Board of Funeral Service, serving as chairman (1976-77); and the Northeast Council of State Boards. In 1979, Murphy received the Calumet Club’s “Outstanding Citizen” award, the highest award given to a nonmember. He is survived by wife Gisele; sons J. Patrick, Timothy J. and L. Michael; daughters Barbara and Mary Kathryn; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

funeral director, formerly of Schreffler Funeral Homes, Kankakee, Illinois, died August 23, 2023, at age 61. Hakeman obtained his associate degree in mortuary science from Worsham College. He continued his career in consulting and commercial functions, joining Champion Chemical Company in sales. Hakeman then moved to Federated Funeral Directors as a business consultant. He co-founded the Professional Funeral Alliance of Springfield, Illinois, evolving the industry’s long-term accounting and consulting methods. Hakeman spent the final years of his career as general manager of Schreffler Funeral Homes, where he presented many seminars that looked to develop funeral service and best practices nationally. In his community, Hakeman supported the 100th Club of Illinois, a nonprofit organization supporting families of fallen first responders. He volunteered to help build and repair homes with Kankakee’s Christmas in April Foundation, and he was a coach for his son’s athletic teams and a staunch supporter of his daughter’s dance ­academy recitals and competitions. He is survived by wife Valerie; sons Bricen and Brent; daughter Samantha; and brothers Robert, Richard and Ronald.

funeral director and owner, Sam Clark Funeral Home, Hiram, Georgia, died May 21, 2023, at age 74. In his early years, Clark worked at Martin’s Funeral Home in Dallas, Georgia, and later attended McKenzie College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Clark served for two years in the U.S. Army in a leadership role in combat support and infantry training. Returning to Paulding County in 1975, Clark worked for the railroad for 10 years. In 1985, he started Clark Ambulance Service and ran it for 30 years. In 1992, he was elected coroner of Paulding County and served until 2016. In 1997, he built Clark Funeral Home & Chapel. Clark is survived by wife Leslie; son Timothy; stepchildren Sam, Lauren and Will; sisters Jeanette and Elizabeth; and brother John.

funeral director and owner of Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, Zanesville, Ohio, died September 21, 2023, at age 60. Dierkes attended Ohio University Belmont and graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He also graduated from the Ohio Fire Academy prior to his being a licensed funeral director, serving as a volunteer firefighter. Dierkes served his funeral apprenticeship under the direction of Vernon J. “Butch” Rush. Following licensure as a funeral director and embalmer, he accepted a position at Bolin Funeral Home, with hopes of one day becoming the owner. After becoming partner in what is now Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, he fulfilled his dream and became the sole owner. Dierkes was an active member of and named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Zanesville Day Break Rotary, a member of LaFayette Lodge 79 F&AM and a past Monarch of Amrou Grotto Lodge 45. He served on various boards, including the West Muskingum School Board, Mid-East CTC and the Animal Shelter Society. He is survived by wife Erin; children Jesse, Joe and Cody (also a funeral director at the firm); three grandchildren; and mother Janice.

funeral director, Bittiker Funeral Homes, Carrollton, Missouri, died October 8, 2023, at age 68. Bittiker worked at Banquet Foods, sold Mary Kay Cosmetics and was the proud owner of Caren’s Cakes and Catering for more than 35 years. She served as treasurer and board chair for the Carroll County Ambulance District for 30 years and was the only board member who was a licensed EMT. She and her husband purchased the former Freeman Furniture building and transformed it into Bittiker Funeral Home. Bittiker then became a licensed funeral director, licensed funeral celebrant and certified crematory operator. While working at the funeral home and serving families, she dedicated endless hours to making sure all families’ needs were met. She is survived by husband Steve, son Steven II, daughter Carissa, three grandchildren and two great-grandsons.