funeral director, partner and vice president, Gutterman’s Family Funeral Homes, Woodbury, New York, died November 10, 2025.                                  

Kanowitz was a mentor, confidant and friend. For nearly 40 years, he played a pivotal role in the growth and success of his company. His leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to excellence helped shape the values that define Gutterman’s today. He was widely respected in the communities where Gutterman’s operates in New York and Florida.

Kanowitz is survived by family members Bonnie, Richard, Melissa and Todd.

funeral director and owner, Faulhaber Funeral Home, Broadview Heights, Ohio, and father of funeral director Robin Faulhaber-Ferrara, died November 11, 2025, at age 85.

Faulhaber attended Miami University and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. During his 65 years as a funeral director and embalmer, he assisted families and supported fellow funeral directors and apprentices with his professional services.

Faulhaber served as captain of the Seven Hills Fire Department. He was active in the Rotary Club and Jaycees, among other organizations. The official historian of Broadview Heights since 2019, Faulhaber was instrumental in remodeling and opening the Historical Museum. 

Faulhaber is survived by children Donald III, Tracy, Robin and Brian; stepchildren Jim Detelich, Tom Detelich, John Detelich and Kathleen Kossman; 18 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

funeral director and president emeritus, Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory, Farmington, Missouri, died November 11, 2025, at age 87.

Cozean served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His fascination with communications led him to study journalism at the University of Missouri. He later earned a master’s degree from George Washington University and a doctorate in international relations from American University. He worked for the Washington, D.C., bureau of The New York Times, which he called a favorite chapter of his life. He was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Under his leadership, Cozean Memorial Chapel earned 23 consecutive NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Awards and achieved Hall of Excellence status.

Cozean is survived by sisters Nancy and Jody, extended family, and the staff of Cozean Memorial Chapel.

funeral director, Michigan Funeral Directors Association past president, father of funeral director Shelly Brown-Chudzinski, and owner, David C. Brown Funeral Home, Belleville, Michigan, died October 27, 2025, at age 78.

Brown graduated from Worsham College and returned to work in Belleville. He opened his own business in 1982. He was involved with the Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Development Authority; Cemetery Committee; Cozadd Foundation; Myrtle, Moose and Eagles lodges; and Michigan United Conservation, Tri-County Sportsmen’s, Huron Valley Conservation and Rotary clubs. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Belleville.

Brown is survived by wife Martha, daughters Amy and Shelly, and three grandsons.

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.