announced its 61st Annual Conference & Solution Center in Asheville, North Carolina, April 19-21. Attendees will experience three days of industry-leading education, new solutions, networking opportunities and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The 2020 Solution Center will once again feature “demo stations,” where representatives in OGR’s network of suppliers will be on hand to share how their products and services can help professionals become more efficient and increase profitability.
In addition, OGR has awarded Emeritus Membership status to Robert “Bob” Shelby (above, left) of Shelby Funeral Home in Covington, Indiana. This elite status is offered to a member “who has made an extraordinary contribution to the advancement of the purpose of OGR and in the opinion of and by unanimous vote of the board.”
Three generations of the family have worked in funeral service. Shelby started working in his dad’s funeral home at an early age, hauling chairs and equipment to homes for visitations and funerals. He graduated from Indiana College of Mortuary Science and has been a licensed funeral director since 1950. He served as president of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association in 1976-77.
In addition, OGR is proud to announce this year’s nominees for the Exemplary Service Awards. These member firms are being recognized for outstanding customer service, and each has been selected based on comments families gave through OGR’s Family Contact Program. Three winners will be recognized April 20 at OGR’s Celebratory Luncheon at its Conference & Solution Center. ogr.org
Anton B. Urban Funeral Home Ambler, Pennsylvania
Arlington Memorial Chapels & Crematory Quezon City, Manila, Philippines
Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Homes Independence, Kentucky
Faulmann & Walsh Golden Rule Funeral Home Fraser, Michigan
Flora Funeral Service Rocky Mount, Virginia
Harrod Brothers Funeral Home Frankfort, Kentucky
Heafey-Hoffman-Dworak-Cutler Mortuaries & Crematory Omaha, Nebraska
Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Franklin, Pennsylvania
Jakubs and Son Funeral Home Cleveland, Ohio
Jakubs-Waite Funeral Home Eastlake, Ohio
Johnson-Romito Funeral Homes Hudson, Ohio
Kolssak Funeral Home Wheeling, Illinois
Kyger Funeral Homes & Crematory Elkton, Virginia
Marrocco Memorial Chapel Clifton, New Jersey
Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services Mt. Morris, Michigan
Mulhearn Funeral Home West Monroe, Louisiana
Owens Livingston Mortuary Show Low, Arizona
Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home Hampton, Virginia
R.W. Walker Funeral Home Plattsburgh, New York
Schoppenhorst, Underwood & Brooks Funeral Homes Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Shaughnessey-Banks Funeral Home Fairfield, Connecticut
Shinn Funeral Service Russellville, Arkansas
Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services Glen Burnie, Maryland
Stewart Family Funeral Home Tyler, Texas
Thomas Funeral Home Cambridge, Maryland
Wenner Funeral Home Cold Spring, Minnesota