recently retired funeral director, Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, Royal Oak, Michigan, died September 16, 2025, at age 102.

McLaughlin served in the U.S. Army during World War II and, upon returning, began his 75-plus-year tenure in the funeral service profession.

He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in mortuary science. He worked for FB Hunter before joining Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, where he continued his lifelong career. He even returned to work full time just weeks after “retiring” in 1988. Believed to be the oldest active funeral director in the country, he worked tirelessly through his 100th year.

McLaughlin attended the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, and was a member of the American Legion, Kiwanis Club, and Elks.

McLaughlin is survived by children Janice, Gayle, Barbara and Richard Jr.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

funeral director, Pedersen and Starbuck Funeral Home, Morris, Minnesota, died September 30, 2025, at age 41.

Lee attended Ridgewater College and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she earned her mortuary science degree. She began her career with Larson Funeral Home, then moved to Pipestone and continued her work at Hartquist Funeral Home. Finally, Lee joined the staff of Pedersen and Starbuck Funeral Home in Morris, where she worked until her death.

She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she served on various committees. She also was active in the Morris Area Scholarship Program.

Lee is survived by daughter Lauren Jean, parents Roger and Carol Moen, sisters Amber and Tracy, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

retired funeral director and former owner, Burkhead Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, died September 11, 2025, at age 87.

Green attended Olivet College in Michigan and graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in mortuary science. While in school, he worked at Burkhead Furniture Store in Olivet and Burkhead-Cheney Funeral Home in Charlotte. In 1980, he purchased Burkhead Funeral Home. Green was an active member of the Charlotte Lions Club for more than 50 years, during which he served as the organization’s president.

He is survived by wife LeAnn, sons Jeffrey and Michael, and sister Susie.

funeral director, wife of funeral director Lynn Jenkins, mother of funeral director and vice president Renata Jenkins Byler, and mother-in-law of funeral director Tim Byler, all of Roller-Chenal Funeral Homes, Little Rock, Arkansas, died October 9, 2025, at age 85.

After becoming a licensed funeral director, Jenkins joined her parents at Roller Funeral Home. Together, she and her husband led Roller Funeral Homes and built Citizens Fidelity Insurance Company. She oversaw much of the company’s marketing and community outreach. Jenkins was recognized with the Governor’s Corporate Humanitarian Award for her decades of philanthropy and volunteerism.

Jenkins supported Hospice of the Ozarks, Jericho Way and the Jenkins-Byler-Roller Family Foundation. She was a founding member of both Hospice of the Ozarks and the Arkansas Youth Suicide Prevention Commission, as well as a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Baxter County Historical Society. Jenkins also was a member of First Christian Church in Little Rock.

Jenkins is survived by husband Lynn, children Renata and Hunter, five grandchildren, and generations of co-workers.

funeral director and owner, Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home, Hubbard, Ohio, died September 26, 2025, at age 54.

Cummins attended Youngstown State University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He worked at the former Kelley-Robb Funeral Home until he and his sister purchased the firm, now named Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home.

Cummins was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and Ohio Embalmers Association. In 2013, the Hubbard High School Alumni Association named him Alumni of the Year, and he was given the Hometown Hero Award in 2021. He also was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.

Cummins is survived by wife Leisa, sons Brian and Eric, four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, sister and business partner Candee Svensson, and father William Sr.

funeral director and owner, Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home, Hubbard, Ohio, died September 26, 2025, at age 54.

Cummins attended Youngstown State University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He worked at the former Kelley-Robb Funeral Home until he and his sister purchased the firm, now named Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home.

Cummins was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and Ohio Embalmers Association. In 2013, the Hubbard High School Alumni Association named him Alumni of the Year, and he was given the Hometown Hero Award in 2021. He also was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.

Cummins is survived by wife Leisa, sons Brian and Eric, four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, sister and business partner Candee Svensson, and father, William Sr.

retired funeral director and partner, Waite Funeral Homes, Brunswick and Medina, Ohio, died August 23, 2025, at age 84.

Kiley attended Defiance College and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He worked at Waite Funeral Home for 42 years. After retiring, he continued to guide families as they worked through their grief and chose markers for their loved ones.

He was an active lifetime member of York United Methodist Church. He served as lieutenant for the Medina City Fire Department and drove the aerial-ladder truck. The mayor asked him to serve as fire chief, but he decided to retire instead. 

Kiley is survived by wife Betty; children Brian and Chrissy Kiley, and Beth and Gene Hubler; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and twin brother David.

retired funeral director, Lindsey-Carlson and Baker Funeral Homes, Page, North Dakota; retired operations manager, Vertin Family Funeral Homes; past chairman of the NFDA Insurance Board; past representative of the NFDA Policy Board; and past president of the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association, died September 1, 2025, at age 80.

Carlson earned an associate degree in journalism from North Dakota State College of Science and a degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, he managed Hustad Funeral Home in Fulda, Minnesota. Later, Carlson and his wife purchased Lindsey Funeral Home and renamed it Lindsey-Carlson Funeral Home. In 1990, they relocated, and Carlson worked as an operations manager for Vertin Family Funeral Homes. He oversaw funeral homes in seven states until his retirement in 2012.

Carlson served on the Advisory Board for the National Red Cross Tissue Donor Program and was a member of the Academy of Certified Funeral Service Practitioners. In 2007, Governor John Hoeven appointed Carlson to the North Dakota State Board of Funeral Service, for which he served a four-year term. In 2018, he proudly received his 50-year service pin from both the North Dakota and Minnesota state funeral directors associations.

Carlson is survived by wife Jean, son Chris, daughter Cheri, six grandchildren, one great-grandson and two bonus grandchildren.

former owner, retired funeral director and father of funeral director Gerald Burpee Jr., Albert & Burpee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Lewiston, Maine, died July 31, 2025, at age 86.

Burpee served in the U.S. Army as an ambulance driver in France. When he returned to Lewiston, he was hired as an ambulance driver and funeral attendant. After attending the New England Institute of Mortuary Science, he bought Albert Funeral Home. He then relocated the business and renamed it Albert & Burpee Funeral Home.

He was very active in local civic organizations and his church, St. Patrick’s, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and lector for many years. In addition, he served on the Lewiston School Committee upon his appointment by Mayor Alfred Plourde and on the St. Dominic’s School Board as president.

Burpee sold the funeral home to his son in the 1990s, and he and his wife moved to Florida, where they were “snowbirds” for 20 years. Eventually, they returned to Lewiston to be closer to their children, grandchildren and friends. 

Burpee is survived by wife Kathleen; daughters Karen, Andrea and Mary; son Gerald Jr.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel, Rocklin, California, died July 24, 2025, at age 60.

After high school, Beeding enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the military police. He returned home and graduated from Sacramento City College with a degree in criminal justice. He worked various courier and transportation jobs before pursuing a career in funeral service. He began his career at Gormley & Sons Funeral Home, then worked at Neptune Society. Following the tragic death of his cousin in 2006, Beeding partnered with his aunt and uncle to open Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel in Rocklin in 2008. He considered it an honor to arrange military honors for veterans, and he designed a Veteran’s Wall of Honor for each veteran Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel served.

Beeding is survived by mother Janice, father Robert, sister Barbara, nieces and nephews.