funeral director and owner, Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, Michigan, and father of funeral director Ryan Ramsey, died May 21, 2025, at age 76.

Ramsey attended Ferris State College, graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and joined the family business upon licensure. He served in the U.S. Army, including the First Cavalry Band, from 1971 to 1973. Ramsey enjoyed singing and was lead singer of the Cattail Bay Muskrats, a staple of many parades throughout the Thumb of Michigan.

He managed the Eastern Huron Ambulance Service since its inception, and he served on numerous boards and organizations. He was a life member of American Legion and AMVETS and member of the Harbor Beach Rotary Club for more than 50 years.

Ramsey belonged to Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church and the former First Baptist Church of Harbor Beach. Warren served on various City of Harbor Beach committees. He was a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule, Harbor Beach Athletic Association and Huron County Medical Control Authority.

Ramsey is survived by wife Arlene; sons Ryan, Ross, Shaun and Clark; and nine grandchildren.

funeral director, founder and past owner, Gompf Funeral Service, Cardington, Ohio, as well as father of Gene Gompf; father-in-law of LeAnne Gompf; and grandfather of Michalene, Gregory and Geoffrey Gompf, all funeral directors, died May 13, 2025, at age 99.

Gompf served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He became a licensed funeral director after graduating from the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science. Beginning his career with Shaw-Davis Funeral Home in Columbus, Ohio, he devoted 76 years to funeral service. He later worked at Curl Funeral Home in Cardington, Ohio, for 36 years.

Two significant events marked a turning point in Gompf’s career: the passing of longtime funeral home owner Marjorie Curl and the tornado that destroyed Curl Funeral Home. In response, Gompf and his wife opened Gompf Funeral Service in their own home. They later built a facility, which continues to operate.

Gompf was active in numerous organizations. He was a proud 32nd Degree Mason and member of Masonic Lodge #384 in Cardington and, later, Masonic Lodge #206 in Mount Gilead. Additionally, he was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus; Aladdin Shrine Temple of Columbus; and Cardington Community Methodist Church. He also was a longtime member of the Cardington Rotary Club, from which he received the Paul Harris Award. Gompf was a devoted 76-year member of the Jenkins Vaughan Post 97 of the American Legion. He served on the Farmers’ Citizen Bank board of trustees and was a founding board member of the Morrow County MMRD. He also was a member of the Cardington Community Improvement Corporation.

Gompf is survived by son Gene, daughter Julie, eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and close friend Betty Newcomer.

retired funeral director and former owner, Jenkins Funeral Home, Colebrook, New Hampshire, died May 17, 2025, at age 83.

Jenkins graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City, then became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in New Hampshire. He purchased Jenkins Funeral Home from his mother and operated it until 1999.

 Jenkins was a certified swimming instructor for the American Red Cross. He also served as an American Red Cross home service officer in Colebrook and the surrounding areas during the Vietnam War. He was a member and past master of Evening Star and member of the Colebrook Country Club. Jenkins belonged to Trinity United Methodist Church.

He is survived by wife Beverly, son Dennis, two granddaughters, one grandson, five great-grandchildren and twin brother Brian.

funeral director; wife of Walter L. Crox Sr.; and mother of Walter Crox Jr., Ben Crox, Jennifer Evans and Monica Crox, all funeral directors, Covenant Funeral and Crematory, Chattanooga, Tennessee, died May 14, 2025, at age 77.

Crox graduated from the University of North Carolina and was among the first Tennesseans licensed in dental assisting, intraoral assisting and dental radiography. Crox was an instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College, where she taught dental assisting and dental hygiene. She studied funeral service at Milwaukee Area Technical College and Fayetteville Technical Community College, and was licensed as a funeral director in North Carolina and Tennessee. She managed funeral prearrangement programs in North Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Crox and her husband founded Covenant Funeral Service in 1998. She was a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (an earned designation), a 50-plus member of the Order of Eastern Star, as well as a member of Harmony Chapter Asebi Court, Ladies Oriental Shrine and the Ocoee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She belonged to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Crox is survived by husband Walter; sons Walter Jr. and Ben; and daughters Bambi, Jennifer and Monica.

retired funeral director and mother and mother-in-law, respectively, of former owners Jay and Paula Ferguson, Ferguson Funeral Home, Plain City, Ohio, died May 5, 2025, at age 95.

Ferguson was a faithful member of Plain City Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, deacon and member of Lena Robinson Friendship Circle. She also served the Presbyterian Women’s Association, taught Sunday school in her younger years and sang in the choir in her later years. Ferguson was a retired elementary school teacher in addition to a retired funeral director.

Ferguson is survived by children Rita, Johna and Jay; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

funeral director, Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Charles, Louisiana, died May 20, 2025, at age 59.

Bordelon attended Louisiana Tech University and McNeese State University. He was a member of Mardi Gras Krewe des Lunatiques for many years. Bordelon was duke with his Duchess Marion and elected king with his Queen Marion in 2002. He then served as duke a second time and, in 2013, was elected king of the krewe again. He was a member of Krewe of Pirates and had been elected Captain of the Ball for the upcoming Mardi Gras season.

He is survived by wife Marion and sons Patrick and Austin.

funeral director and vice president emeritus, Hollywood Forever Funeral Home, Los Angeles, California, and past president of both the Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association and the California Funeral Directors Association, died recently.

An alumnus of UCLA, Alba majored in English literature. He was a member of the Cemetery and Mortuary Association of California, advocating for industry standards.

Alba was a devoted father, uncle, partner, leader, Vietnam veteran, world traveler and mentor to many.

funeral director, Irvin-Macz Funeral Home, Centralia, Illinois, died May 10, 2025, at age 62.

Phoenix served in the U.S. Marine Corps, then earned his mortuary science degree from Southern Illinois University while working at Garnier and Sons Funeral Home.

Phoenix joined the Centralia Police Department and served overseas by training and supporting Iraqi police. He also served in Israel. Upon his return to the United States, he started Phoenix Industries. Phoenix remained active in security work, helping crisis-ridden communities in hazardous conditions across the country. He also served families as a funeral director at Irvin-Macz Funeral Home.

Phoenix is survived by wife Lucy and daughter Eleen.

funeral director and co-founder, Messinger Mortuaries, Scottsdale, Arizona, died April 22, 2025, at age 95. 

A licensed pilot, Messinger pursued pre-engineering and flight training at Phoenix College Flying School. Messinger then studied at San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. While completing his mortuary science internships at local funeral homes, he continued his engineering education at Arizona State University. He ultimately earned his civil engineering degree and funeral service licenses.

In Phoenix, Messinger became manager of Mercer Mortuary before he and his wife founded Messinger Mortuaries. It was a true family business, as Messinger’s parents, brother and sister joined the effort. The mortuary also provided ambulance service around the clock for both scheduled and emergency calls.

funeral director and owner, Dibble Funeral Home, Kasson, Minnesota, died April 22, 2025, at age 79.

Dibble attended St. Olaf College and earned a degree in chemical engineering before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota. He returned to Kasson to work with his father at Dibble Funeral Home. Dibble served as Dodge County coroner for many years.

Dibble is survived by wife Patricia; children Lisa, Christopher, Nicholas, David and Matthew; and 13 grandchildren.