funeral director, Krestridge Funeral Home, Levelland, Texas, died June 23, 2024, at age 63. In 2014, Pence retired from WRR Radio and moved to west Texas to begin her second career in funeral service. She graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. She is survived by sister Marilyn and brother Steve

funeral director and co-owner, Branchburg Funeral Home, Branchburg, New Jersey; son of funeral director, owner and manager Anna Louise Bongiovi, Bongiovi Funeral Home Raritan, New Jersey; and brother of Jason Papavero, funeral director, co-owner and manager, Branchburg Funeral Home, died June 22, 2024, at age 58.

Papavero obtained his mortuary science degree from American Academy McAllister Institute in New York. Licensed in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, he served his community alongside his brother. Papavero served as president of the Middlesex and Somerset Counties Funeral Directors Association and on the New Jersey State Board of Mortuary Science. He was a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and NFDA.

He was a past member of Branchburg Rotary Club and member of the Somerville Elks and Knights of Columbus.

Papavero is survived by mother Anna Louise; children Alexis, Serena and Nicholas; brother Jason; and stepmother Carmen.

funeral director, son of firm owner Jean A. Moore and brother of funeral director Jared A. Moore, all of McCoy-Moore Funeral Homes, Bidwell, Ohio, died June 23, 2024, at age 57. Moore graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and worked in the family business. He also owned Evans-Moore Realty, Gallipolis, Ohio, and was a former owner of Evans-Moore Insurance.

Moore was an active member of Gallia County Chamber of Commerce, Vinton Masonic Lodge 131, Gallipolis Shrine Club, Gallipolis Elks Lodge 107, Gallipolis H.O.G. Club, Gallia County Gun Club and Third Sunday Investment Club.

Moore is survived by wife Sarah, son Owen, daughter Leia, mother Jean and brother Jared.

funeral director, Ratterman Funeral Home, Louisville, Kentucky, died July 7, 2024, at age 71. Fowler, in addition to his work in funeral service, was a deacon in his church and brought that part of himself to all he did. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and belonged to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and St. Paul’s Men’s Club, serving as president from 1988-92. He was a member of St. Paul Church for 47 years and a deacon there for 12 years. He held many positions at his church, including serving on the parish council and worship committee.

Fowler is survived by wife Kathy, daughters Shannon and Jamie, two grandchildren and mother Mary.

funeral director and owner, Claussen Funeral Home, Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and co-owner, Dunlap Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, died June 25, 2024, at age 79. Claussen attended Wayne State College and graduated from Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. He purchased his first funeral home and this year observed 55 years as owner/operator. He became co-owner of Dunlap Funeral Home when his father-in-law retired.

Claussen was a member and past president of Lake Mills Lions Club, past member of Lake Mills Masonic Lodge and Jefferson County Masonic Lodge, Sahara Shrine Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, NFDA and South Central Funeral Directors Association. He trained five apprentice funeral directors, including daughter Carla, nephew Nathan and special current employee Lydia Hildebrandt.

Claussen is survived by wife Pamela; children Christin, Curtis and Carla; three grandchildren; and Lydia, granddaughter in heart.

managing funeral director, Geo. H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home, Cincinnati, Ohio, died May 14, 2024, at age 36. Mercier attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and served her apprenticeship at Rohde Funeral Home. She was extremely appreciative of the relationship she developed with Steve Rohde over their 16 years of working together. Mercier is survived by parents Michael and Susan, partner and fiancé Rachel Lyons, and sister Sarah.

apprentice funeral director, Kemp Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Southfield, Michigan, and Mid-America College of Funeral Service student, died May 28, 2024, at age 24. Curry is survived by his parents, grandmother, partner Melly, three brothers and a sister.

retired funeral director and former co-owner, Smith Family Funeral Chapels, Billings and Columbus, Montana, died June 4, 2024, at age 102. As a young man, Brown worked as a pipe welder, and in 1943, he enlisted in the Navy Seabees and was a deep-sea diver in the South Pacific. Brown attended Rocky Mountain College and graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, after which he entered a partnership of funeral directors and co-owned the Smith funeral chapels. He served on the Montana State Board of Funeral Directors for five years. Brown is survived by wife Marjie, stepdaughters Joni and Janet, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

retired funeral director, Anamosa, Iowa, died November 30, 2020, at age 89. McBride attended Loras College in Dubuque and Indiana College of Mortuary Science and Management in Indianapolis. He was a licensed funeral director for more than 60 years, working throughout the state of Iowa; an active member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association; and a longtime NFDA member.

McBride served in the U.S. Army Arctic Services Group from 1953-56, with two tours of duty stationed at Thule Air Base near the North Pole. He received the Cold War Service Medal and was a member of the Farley American Legion; he was also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by children Michael, Lynne, Margaret and Patricia.

retired funeral director and owner, Daniels Funeral Home, Burlington, Wisconsin, died May 29, 2020, at age 92. Daniels was a former member of National Guard Battery A, 126th Field Artillery Battalion, 32nd Division. He began working with John Schuette at both Schuette Funeral Home and Schuette Furniture Store. Daniels graduated in 1952 from Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, receiving his Wisconsin funeral director and embalmer licenses. He became a partner in 1954 with Schuette, Werth and Daniels Funeral Home, and in 1975, with his wife, purchased the business. In 1991, a new funeral home was built. In 1996, McCarthy-Koenig Funeral Home was purchased and later consolidated into the Schuette-Daniels location in 1997. In 1994, Polnasek Funeral home in Union Grove was purchased by Daniels and his wife and became Polnasek-Daniels Funeral Home. He retired in January 2008.

Daniels served four terms on the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors and served as secretary and treasurer for one term each. He was a member of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce since 1954, serving twice as president, and active in many other community services, including Rotary Club since 1954; Burlington Rescue Squad for 25 years, where he earned Gold Badge membership; Burlington Savings and Loan board member; Knights of Columbus; and former treasurer of Cub Scout Packs 134 and 334.

He is survived by wife Doris; children Marjorie, Michael, Mark, Matthew (also a funeral director), Marian, Marlene, Madalyn, Marilee, Marvin, Mitchell, Marcel, Marti and Monte; foster children Greg and Michael Pieters; 45 grandchildren; and 63 great-grandchildren.