funeral director, Speaks Chapels, Independence, Missouri, died January 21, 2021, at age 69. Townsend enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a master sergeant, having served in Germany and Nevada. He then began his second career as a funeral director and embalmer, graduating from Kansas City Kansas Community College with an associate degree in mortuary science. Townsend worked for more than 35 years at Speaks Chapels as a funeral director, embalmer and general manager until retiring from full-time service, after which he continued to work part time for Speaks. Townsend was the current Missouri Funeral Directors Association District 3 director. He was a member of Eastview Lions Club and president of Lobb Cemetery. He is survived by wife Patricia, daughters Carrie and Amanda, and four grandchildren.

funeral director, Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance, Ohio, died January 3, 2021, at age 40. Wilson graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and Ohio Embalmers Association. He is survived by wife Megan, children Emma and James, his parents, his sister and his grandmothers.

funeral director and owner, Perine Funeral Home, Shinnston, West Virginia, died February 5, 2021, at age 58. Perine attended Fairmont State College and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He was a funeral director in Shinnston and surrounding communities for more than 35 years and in 2005 founded Perine Funeral Home. Perine also used his musical talents to serve several local churches over the years and had a life-long dedication to Judson Baptist Camp. Perine is survived by wife Jacqueline; children Adam, Andrew, Allison and Alana; 11 grandchildren; and three siblings.

retired funeral director and former owner, Frank Family Funeral Home, Lidgerwood, North Dakota, died January 11, 2021, at age 85. Frank, who also served in the Montana National Guard for eight and one-half years, graduated from California College of Mortuary Science and did his internship with Cloyd-Gorder Mortuary in Sidney, Montana, continuing to work there until 1969. In 1970, he purchased Walby Funeral Home and then moved to Lidgerwood. He and his wife purchased Wipperman Funeral Home in Hankinson and had a funeral home built in Wahpeton, which they ran until 2002. The couple retired after the sale of the funeral homes but continued to help their son at the firm. Frank was a member of Lidgerwood American Legion Bullis Post 84 and the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association; he also served on the North Dakota Board of Funeral Service for eight years. He is survived by wife Marilyn, daughters Debra and Cindy, sons Kevin and Greg, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-
great-grandchildren.

licensed funeral director and owner, Cotton Funeral Service, Orange, New Jersey, died January 4, 2021, at age 82. Cotton worked in funeral service with his father and uncle and went on to graduate from American Academy of Mortuary Science. He opened and operated sites in Newark and Jersey City in addition to his firm in Orange. Cotton was a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and St. James Lodge 61 Free and Accepted Masons PHA for more than 50 years. Involved in multiple aspects of community service, in 2003, Cotton’s “Echoes” Grief Counseling was established to provide grief counseling to bereaved families free of charge. On June 18, 2013, the street in front of the Orange funeral home was named Macon T. Cotton Jr. Plaza in recognition of Cotton’s philanthropic endeavors. He is survived by wife Allyson, daughter Karen, son Macon III, a host of grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

funeral director, Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory, Tucker, Georgia, died December 10, 2020, at age 55. Byers, a Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science graduate, began managing his father-in-law’s business, Bill Head Funeral Homes; he and his wife later took over the business. He coached his son’s baseball teams and daughter’s softball teams, and his coaching impacted the lives of many. Byers was also a member of the board of directors at Lilburn Lions Club Park. He is survived by wife Andrea, son Jesse, daughter Emily and brother Gary.

funeral director, Langeland Family Funeral Homes/Memorial Chapel, Kalamazoo, Michigan, died August 23, 2020, at age 66. Bucknell, a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, had been employed for more than 30 years with Langeland as a licensed funeral director. He was an avid bowler and proud to be bowling coach for the Portage Central High School girls team. He is survived by wife Cindy; children Derek, Darcy, Kevin and Alex; and two grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Eden Memorial Chapels, Fort Lee, New Jersey, and Wien & Son, Long Island, died December 22, 2020, at age 76. Wien began his career at Wien & Wien, the funeral home founded by his grandfather and great-uncle more than a century ago and operated by father Harry and uncle Arthur. He took over the business at age 21 with his cousin, Frank, and went on to make Wien & Wien the premiere name in Jewish funerals in northern New Jersey. Wien served as a licensed director for more than 57 years.

Wien belonged to the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, NFDA, Jewish Funeral Directors Association of America and KAVOD. He was a board member of the Jewish Home in Rockleigh, as well as a respected member of the New York Board of Rabbis’ Lay Advisory Board. He was also chairman and liaison to numerous cemetery societies and associations.

He is survived by children Harriet and Charles, one grandchild and sister Francine.

retired funeral director and former owner, Monticello, Indiana, died November 19, 2020, at age 91. Voorhis, a graduate of Indiana College of Mortuary Science and licensed funeral director since 1953, worked for Russell & Hitch Funeral Home in Lebanon and Thorntown until he became co-owner of Miller-Voorhis Funeral Home in 1967 and sole owner in 1986 (the firm was later renamed ­Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home). He served on various committees with the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and also as District 4 director. In 1980-81, Voorhis was a delegate at the National Convention and served as an alternate on several occasions.

Voorhis was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, where he served as cemetery trustee; Monticello Rotary Club, serving as president; and former president of Lebanon Lions Club. He’d also been active with the Salvation Army, United Way, White County Election Board and Red Cross Blood Bank Committee. He served as a member of the Monticello Redevelopment Commission after the 1974 tornado and was an instrumental part of the restoration team. He was also elected to the White County Council for two terms. Voorhis was awarded the George Armstrong Spencer, Rotarian of the Year and Sagamore of the Wabash awards.

He is survived by daughters Pamela, Brenda, Rhonda and Angela; stepchildren Mike, Cindy and Mark; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home & Crematory, Newmarket, New Hampshire, died January 7, 2021, at age 72. Pelczar had been employed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as an apprentice, inside machinist and boat planner. He later began working at Brisson & Kent Funeral Home and graduated from New England Institute of Funeral Service. In 1986, he purchased the funeral home from Roy Kent. In 1999, Pelczar and his wife built a new funeral home and relocated later that year. Their son, Michael, joined the family business in 2000 as a licensed funeral director.

Pelczar, past president New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, was a life member and past president of the Newmarket Handtub Association and a life member of the New England States Veteran Firemen’s League. He was a former EMT and one of the original members of the Newmarket Ambulance Corps. He was president of the Newmarket Little Mule League 1991-94, a life member of Newmarket Historical Society and member of the Newmarket Business Association, Sons of The American Legion, Squadron 67, and a former member and past president 2002-03 of the Newmarket Lions Club. Pelczar served as a trustee of trust funds for more than 30 years and was a cemetery trustee.

He is survived by sons Michael and Mark, and two grandchildren.