Obituaries
who have lost a loved one.
Alert Us to a Death
Please use this Obituary Form to alert Headquarters of the death of an individual within the association so that we may inform all members. The completed form may be faxed to 847-236-9968 or emailed to info@selectedfuneralhomes.org.
Make a Memorial Contribution to the Selected Educational Trust
Honor the memory of a loved one or someone for whom you have a deep and abiding respect by making a memorial contribution to the Selected Educational Trust. Contact Stefanie Favia, Senior Director of Development, or call 888-70-TRUST to learn more.
Jo Ann Conner Maberry – April 14, 2024
Word has been received that Jo Ann Conner Maberry; owner and President of Maberry Funeral Home, Inc. in Floyd, VA; died Sunday, April 14, 2024. Memorials may be made to Floyd United Methodist Church: P.O. Box 55, Floyd, VA 24091 or to the animal charity of your choice.
Additional Information.
Bruce "Buz" Buzogany – April 9, 2024
Word has been received that Bruce "Buz" Buzogany died Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Buz served as a consultant and became the Selected Educational Trust Director from 2013 through 2018. Memorials may be made in Buz's name to the McDowell Trails Association: P.O. Box 1325, Marion, NC 28752. (Please select Donation Only in the application.)
Additional Information.
Jonathon Paige Pauli – March 22, 2024
Word has been received that Jonathon Paige Pauli died on Friday, March 22, 2024. Paige was the son of Lance Pauli, Jr., President of Harden-Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis, FL.
Additional Information.
Jim Fernald – March 9, 2024
Word has been received that Jim Fernald; funeral director at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home in Bangor, ME; died Saturday, March 9, 2024. Memorials may be made to the following:
- Hospice Regatta of Maine, care of Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County: 14 Mckenzie Avenue, Ellsworth, ME, 04605
- Bangor Humane Society: 693 Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401
Brian D. Heimbach – March 2, 2024
Word has been received that Brian D. Heimbach; a longtime funeral director at Goodwin Funeral Home in Frankfort, IN; died Saturday, March 2, 2024. Those wishing may make contributions in Brian's memory to the Bunnell Cemetery Association: P.O. Box 38, Frankfort, IN 46041.
Additional Information.
John William Crane – February 22, 2024
Word has been received that John William Crane died Thursday, February 22, 2024. John was the retired co-owner and operator of the O’Donnell Funeral Home in Lowell, MA and the Pelham Funeral Home in Pelham, NH. Those wishing may make contributions in John's memory to the following:
Additional Information.
Francis John Murphy, Sr. – February 9, 2024
Word has been received that Francis John Murphy Sr. died Friday, February 9. He is the father of Francis J. Murphy Jr., owner of Murphy Funeral Home in Salem, MA. In memory of Frank, memorial contributions can be made to the following:
- Swissridge Dogs for Kids in Schomberg, Ontario
- The Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter for the 2024 Boston Marathon: 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452
- The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter for the 2024 Chicago Marathon: 225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603
John Randolph Carmichael, Sr. – February 8, 2024
Word has been received that John Randolph Carmichael, Sr.; owner of Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna, GA and father of Jim Carmichael; died Thursday, February 8, 2024. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Additional Information.
Nancy Scherwitz Justen – January 28, 2024
Word has been received that Nancy Scherwitz Justen died Sunday, January 28. Nancy was the mother of Robert Justen, President of Justen Funeral Home & Crematory in McHenry, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Nancy's memory would be greatly appreciated to the following organizations:
- The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition: 1660 International Drive, Suite 600, McLean, VA 22102.
- Chicagoland Old English Sheepdog Club – Please mail checks to 9N973 Meadow Dr., Elgin, IL 60124.
John William Kunsch – January 21, 2024
Word has been received that John William Kunsch; Past President of Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory in Naperville, IL; died Sunday, January 21. Memorials in John's memory may be made to the following:
- American Lung Association: 1200 Hosford Street, Suite 101, Hudson, WI 54016-9316
- A charity of your choice
Vernon A. "J" Mitchell, Jr. – January 19, 2024
Word has been received that Vernon A. "J" Mitchell, Jr. died Friday, January 19. J was General Manager at Rader Funeral Home, Inc. in Kilgore, TX, and a former Secretary-Treasurer on Selected's Board of Directors. Memorials may be made to the following:
Additional Information.
Steven Wayne Getz – January 18, 2024
Word has been received that Steven Wayne Getz; son of Terry W. Getz, owner of Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces, NM; died Thursday, January 18.
Additional Information.
Norma C. Pegues – January 16, 2024
Word has been received that Norma C. Pegues died Tuesday, January 16. Norma was past owner of Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo, MS, along with her husband, Billy, a former Selected Board member. She was also the mother of past owner and former Selected Board member Greg Pegues and the grandmother of current owner Whitney Pegues-Beck. Memorials may be made to the following:
- Calvary Baptist Church: P.O. Box 1008, Tupelo, MS 38802
- The Tupelo-Lee Humane Society: 2795 Cliff Gookin Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38801
Michael A. Assalley – January 11, 2024
Word has been received that Michael A. Assalley; owner of Assalley Funeral Homes in Taylorville, IL; died Thursday, January 11. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Michael's Children's Educational Fund, c/o Lauren Assalley: Assalley Funeral Homes, 202 W. Franklin St., Taylorville, IL 62568.
Additional Information.
Dr. Patricia Ann Turner – January 6, 2024
Word has been received that Dr. Patricia Ann Turner; Board of Directors Treasurer at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory in Decatur, GA, and granddaughter of founder A.S. Turner; died Saturday, January 6. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Coastal Georgia Camellia Society, c/o Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden: 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, GA 31419; or the animal rescue organization of your choice.
Additional Information.
Mary Ciccarelli – January 4, 2024
Word has been received that Mary Ciccarelli, President of Porcella Funeral Service, Inc. in Saugus, MA; mother of Ann Ciccarelli, former Selected Board member, and Michael S. Ciccarelli; and wife of the late Paul F. Ciccarelli; died Thursday, January 4. Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to Beth Israel Medical Center, memo: Dr. James D. Chang Cardiac Research Fund, c/o Beth Israel Medical Center, Office of Development — 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
Additional Information.
Tom Johnson – December 21, 2023
Word has been received that Tom Johnson; father of Jake Johnson, owner of Menke Funeral & Cremation Center in Sun City, AZ; died Thursday, December 21, 2023. Tom was the founder of Johnson Consulting Group.
Warren Stephen Canale – December 10, 2023
Word has been received that Warren Stephen Canale; former President of Canale Funeral Directors in Memphis, TN and father of Nicklaus Stephen Canale and J. Ford Canale, co-owners of Canale Funeral Directors; died Sunday, December 10.
Memorials may be given to any of the following:
- The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School
- Christian Brothers High School
Carolyn Sue Beinhauer – December 9, 2023
Word has been received that Carolyn Sue Beinhauer; wife of David M. Beinhauer, Supervisor at Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in McMurray, PA; died Saturday, December 9. Memorials may be given to the ALS Association to aid in finding a cure and providing care to those who are affected.
Additional Information.
Mayne Richard Root – November 29, 2023
Word has been received that Mayne Richard Root; father of David Root, General Manager of Pierson's Funeral Service, Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta; died Wednesday, November 29.
Additional Information.
Robert Frederick Groff, Jr. – November 2, 2023
Word has been received that Robert Frederick Groff, Jr.; father of R. Fred Groff III (President of Groff-High-Eckenroth Funeral Home, Inc. in New Holland, PA), Lisa Groff (President of The Groff Family Funeral & Cremation Services of Lancaster, PA) and David Groff (Vice President and co-owner of The Groff Family Funeral & Cremation Services), and former NSM Board Member; died Thursday, November 2. In lieu of flowers, the family sincerely requests that a memorial contribution be made in Bob’s name to any organization that does positive things in our community or world. Bob believed deeply in this.
Additional Information.
Patricia M. (Dulligan) Heald – October 13, 2023
Word has been received that Patricia M. (Dulligan) Heald; mother of John Heald, General Manager of the Funeral Home Channel at Preferred Partner Legacy.com; died Friday, October 13. Memorials may be given to Saint Mary's Parish: 20 Summer St, Shrewsbury, MA 01545; or Saint Cecilia's Parish: 18 Belvidere St, Boston, MA 02115.
Additional Information.
John Wild, Sr. – October 12, 2023
Word has been received that John Wild, Sr.; father of John Wild, a member of the Selected Educational Trust Board of Trustees; died Thursday, October 12.
Memorials may be given to Christ the King Catholic Church: 5711 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315; or The Jimmy Fund (A pediatric cancer fund sponsored by the Boston Red Sox). Additional Information.
Pat Iles – September 28, 2023
Word has been received that Pat Iles; mother of Mark and Mike Iles, President and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of Iles Funeral Homes, Inc.-Dunn's Funeral Home and Crematory in Des Moines, IA; and grandmother of David Iles, the firm's Assistant General Manager; died Thursday, September 28.
Memorials may be given to any of the following:
- EveryStep Hospice: 3000 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, IA 50317
- MorningStar Memory Care West Des Moines: 525 S. 60th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
- Friendship Force International: Attn: Finance Department, 279 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Karlen M. Fellows – September 24, 2023
Word has been received that Karlen M. Fellows; mother-in-law of Selected Board Member Dave Moore of Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapels in Mason City, IA; died Sunday, September 24. Memorials may be given to Estes Park Middle School: 1500 Manford Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517.
Additional Information.
Betty Irene Pollard – September 16, 2023
Word has been received that Betty Irene Pollard; wife of the late Kenneth H. Pollard, Founder of Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home in Methuen, MA, and mother of the firm's past President, Michael N. Pollard; died Saturday, September 16. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, please visit the firm's Sympathy Store.
Additional Information.