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.

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.