funeral director and owner, Ross Funeral Home, Littleton, New Hampshire, and past president, New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, died March 28, 2025, at age 83.

Ross graduated from the New England Institute of Anatomy and fulfilled his apprenticeship in Hanover and Concord, New Hampshire, before returning to Littleton to open Ross Funeral Home. He was introduced to the world of emergency medical services during his apprenticeship and later, began responding to emergencies in the Littleton area in his hearse. 

He accepted an invitation from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons to participate in a pilot emergency medical technician (EMT) course at Harvard University. Upon completion of his studies, Ross became a charter member of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and instructed the first class of EMTs in the Littleton area. Moreover, Ross was instrumental in establishing the Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST) system in northern New Hampshire; he encouraged town governments to establish squads and assisted them in applying for federal grants. 

Nearly every organization Ross helped establish still operates in its community. He served on the Littleton Regional Hospital Board of Trustees and the New Hampshire Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Coordinating Board. He received countless accolades for his contributions to emergency medical services in New Hampshire.

Ross joined the Littleton Fire Department in 1964 and retired as the department’s chief in 1996. He was Justice of the Peace, serving the Littleton area as bail commissioner for decades. Additionally, Ross was an avid skier who was part of the patrol team at Cannon Mountain Ski Area and Mittersill Alpine Resort. He helped make the trails that many enjoy skiing today.

Ross is survived by son Todd, daughter Tammy and grandsons Andrew and Christopher.

funeral director, Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, Portland, Indiana, died September 22, 2024, at age 56.

Prescott graduated from Mid-America Mortuary School. He worked as manager of Jay County Monuments, and co-owned Mrs. P’s Kitchen and, with his two sons, Prescott Cattle Company. Prescott was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Jay Lodge #87, Scottish Rite and Shrine, Jayland Trotting Association and 4-H.

Prescott is survived by wife Jane and sons Colton and Hunter.

retired funeral director and former owner, Brown Funeral Home, Grand Blanc, Michigan, died April 9, 2025, at age 87.

Lada graduated from Northwestern Michigan College and Worsham Mortuary College, located in Illinois. Lada began his career in Traverse City, Michigan, as a licensed funeral director with Hibbard Funeral Home; he then worked at Martinson Funeral Home. He later joined Brown Funeral Home.

He volunteered for or on the following: First Presbyterian Church, Eastside Business Association, Avalon Hospice, Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council, The Salvation Army Advisory Council, Flint Rotary Club, Genesee County Child Death Review, Genesee County Emergency Management Team, Education Foundation for Flint Community Schools, Youth Projects Citizens Advisory Board, Flint Classroom Support Fund, Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project, Latinx Technology and Community Center, IMA Recreation Association, Friends of McFarlan Park, Advance Care Planning Task Force of Greater Flint Health Coalition, Ele’s Place and former The Flint Journal Editorial Board.

Because of his extensive civic involvement, Lada was interviewed by CNN, featured in various local news media and included in an outdoor mural in Flint, Michigan. He was the recipient of the UAW 1-C Veterans Association Life Achievement Award, The Flint Journal Community Advocacy Award, The Salvation Army Hands of Mercy and Jack Hamady Humanitarian Awards, Keys to the City of Flint, Key to the City of Burton, Genesee County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Flint Senior Citizen of the Year Award, Friend of Crossover Award from Downtown Outreach Ministries, City of Flint Volunteer of the Year Award, Youth Projects Roast and Toast Award, Donald Reigle Community Service Annual Award, Tall Pine Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizens Award, Education Foundation for the Flint Community Schools Light a Candle Award, and Argus Award from the Consortium on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Lada was an associate member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and Marine Corps League, as well as a certified presenter of the nationally recognized child abduction prevention program called Escape School. He was involved in local veterans’ events, provided several yearly veterans displays, participated in military recognition ceremonies, coordinated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall at Bluebell Beach thrice, co-chaired the placement of a permanent veteran’s marker at Bluebell Beach and organized a Korean War memorial service for veterans.

Lada is survived by wife Delores, son Douglas, daughter Debra, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Boucher Funeral Home, Gardner, Massachusetts, died March 27, 2025, at age 87.

After serving in the Army Reserve, Boucher attended Becker Junior College, where he earned an associate degree in business administration. He worked for an electrical firm as an accountant until 1978 before pursuing his dream of becoming a funeral director.

Boucher began his apprenticeship at Dufault Funeral Home in Gardner. During this time, he attended night classes at the New England Institute in Boston. In 1982, George Dufault sold the business to Boucher, and it was renamed Dufault-Boucher Funeral Home until 2000, when it became Boucher Funeral Home.

Boucher was past director of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Gardner Rotary Club, GFA Federal Credit Union and Acadien Social Club. He was also a member of many local civic groups and establishments, including the Templeton Fish and Game Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Gardner Museum. Additionally, he was a member of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association.

Boucher is survived by wife Priscilla; daughters Celeste, Suzanne, Marcelle and Danielle; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

funeral director and partner, Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, Florence, South Carolina, died April 3, 2025, at age 80.

Anderson worked for Layton-Perry Funeral Home and Furniture Store while in school and graduated from the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science. He served in the South Carolina Army National Guard military police for six years. Additionally, Anderson served as chief of the Timmonsville Rescue Squad and was honored with an award of appreciation for 20 years of service. He also was the mayor of Timmonsville from 1987 to 1993. 

Anderson is survived by wife Sue, daughters Heather and Kristin, and five grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Tomon & Sons Funeral Homes, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, died February 19, 2025, at age 73. A third-generation owner and operator, Tomon proudly carried on the 111-year-old family business for 50 years.

He also served as president of Middleburg Heights Chamber of Commerce and was named Middleburg Heights Business Person of the Year in 1996. Tomon helped found the Middleburg Heights Big Creek Run and was honored by the city with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless efforts to better the community.

Tomon is survived by wife Terry; children Michael, Ashley and Cody; and seven grandchildren.

funeral director, Heritage Funeral Chapel, Peoria, Arizona, died February 7, 2025, at age 52. Senn received his bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, then dedicated almost 30 years to funeral service in Ohio and Arizona. He is survived by mother Peggy Hamman, son Julian, five brothers and two sisters.

retired funeral director and vice president emeritus, E. Alvin Small Funeral Home, Colonial Heights, Virginia, died March 6, 2025, at age 98.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Small served aboard the USS Card in the North Atlantic and South Pacific during World War II. He then attended Echols Mortuary College in Pennsylvania. After graduation, he joined his brother at E. Alvin Small Funeral Home. He was appointed to the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers by the governor and served a seven-year term, for part of which he was president. In 1990, Small and his brother turned the business over to their nephews, funeral directors Bryan Small and Louis Smith.

Small was a past president of the Kiwanis Club, of which he was a member for 60-plus years. He was a lifetime member of Kiwanis International and a George F. Hixon fellow. Also a lifetime member of the Capital District Kiwanis International, Small received a Tablet of Honor from Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis Club honored him, as well, with a Club Scholarship for high school students. Additionally, Small was a 60-plus-year member of American Legion, for which he served as service officer for 21 years, and a 50-plus-year member of Blandford Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by daughters Susan and Nancy, four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and brother Ralph.

retired funeral director and former owner, Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River, Michigan, died February 11, 2025, at age 80. He was the father of funeral director Paul Jacobs, current co-owner of Jacobs Funeral Home.

Jacobs earned his degree from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He was employed by T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home in Pueblo, Colorado, then Muehlebach Funeral Home in Kansas City, Missouri. Jacobs relocated finally to Iron River and purchased Duvall Funeral Home, later renamed Jacobs Funeral Home. 

Jacobs was a third-degree Knight of Columbus and a former member of the Iron River Elks Lodge. During his career, he was a member of the Michigan and Wisconsin funeral directors associations.

Jacobs is survived by wife Toni, children Paul and Jennifer, and five grandchildren.

retired funeral director, Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, died March 1, 2025, at age 79. Hagan was a Vietnam War Marine veteran and son of late NFDA Past District Governor Joseph Hagan.  He is survived by wife Deborah, daughters Angie and Whitney, and three grandsons.