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 or call 888-70-TRUST to learn more.
Paul R. Messinger – April 22, 2025
Word has been received that Paul Raymond Messinger died Tuesday, April 22. Michael was the founder of Selected member firm Messinger Mortuaries, Cemeteries & Crematories in Scottsdale, AZ and former Board Member at Selected.
Francis Joseph Murphy – April 9, 2025
Word has been received that Francis Joseph Murphy died Wednesday, April 9. Michael was the former funeral director at Selected member firm Murphy Funeral Home in Salem MA.
Michael L. Harrod – March 27, 2025
Word has been received that Michael L. Harrod died Thursday, March 27. Michael was the former Owner of Selected member firm Harrod Brothers Funeral Home in Frankfort, KY and the father of President and CEO William C. Harrod.
Memorial donations:- St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105
John G. Schultz Sr. – March 27, 2025
Word has been received that John G. Schultz Sr. died Thursday, March 27. John was the Owner and President of Selected member firm Donnellan/O'Donnell-Bartz-Schultz Funeral Home in Chicago, IL, the husband of Office Manager Patricia Schultz and the father of Funeral Director John G. Schultz Jr. at Donnellan/O'Donnell-Bartz-Schultz Funeral Home.
Memorial donations:- Mercy Home For Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607.
James “Jim” Edwin Thomas – March 11, 2025
Word has been received that James “Jim” Edwin Thomas died Tuesday, March 11. Jim was the former owner of Selected member firm J.E. Thomas Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd. in Meadow Lake, SK; and father of the current owner Darcy Thomas.
Memorial donations:
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch #76, Box 309 - 109 1st St. West, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1Y3.
Stephen Collister Ryan – February 24, 2025
Word has been received that Stephen Collister Ryan died Monday, Feb. 24. Stephen was a former Board Director and President of Selected, as well as the former President and CEO of Selected member firm Ryan Mortuary, Inc., in Salina, KS; and father of Scott R. Ryan, Secretary-Treasurer of Ryan Mortuary, Inc.
Memorial donations:
- St. John's Lutheran Church, 302 S. 7th St., Salina, KS 67401
- Salina Family YMCA, 570 YMCA Dr., Salina, KS 67401
- Friends of the River Foundation, 159 S. 4th St., Salina, KS 67401
Stephen E. Weeks Jr. – February 14, 2025
Word has been received that Stephen E. Weeks Jr., Co-President of Selected member firm Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors in Savannah, GA ; and twin brother of Co-President James M. Weeks; died Friday, February 14, 2025.
Memorial donations to The Sharon Weeks Scholarship Fund, 2213 Norwood Ave., Savannah, GA 31406.
Johnny Merrill Gordon – February 10, 2025
Word has been received that Johnny Merrill Gordon, former owner of Selected member firm Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory in Monroe, NC died Monday, February 10, 2025.
Memorial donations to St. James Anglican Church, Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 447, Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124.
William Bruce Tannahill – January 28, 2025
Word has been received that William Bruce Tannahill, former Board Director and Secretary-Treasurer of Selected, as well as the former President of former Selected member firm Tannahill Funeral Home Ltd. in Owen Sound, ON died Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
Memorials may be made to the local charity of your choice.
Charles Neil Sims Sr. – January 22, 2025
Word has been received that Charles Neil Sims Sr., owner and President of Sims Funeral Home in Douglas, GA; and father of Charles “Chuck” Neil Sims Jr., Vice President; died Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Memorials may be made to:
Additional Information.
John “Jack” Bacon McDonald IV – January 10, 2025
Word has been received that John “Jack” Bacon McDonald IV, funeral director at McCall Gardens Funeral and Cremation Service in Victoria, BC died Friday, January 10, 2025. Memorials may be made to:
Additional Information.
Carol Hall Perry – January 9, 2025
Word has been received that Carol Hall Perry, retired funeral director at Hall Funeral Homes and Cremation Services in Waldoboro, ME and sister of President Michael Hall, died Thursday, January 9, 2025. Memorials may be made to:
- Waldoboro Historical Society, P.O. Box 110, Waldoboro, ME 04572
- Waldoboro Women's Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Charlotte Gulezian, 474 Back Cove Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572
Deborah Wiseman Bennett – December 26, 2024
Word has been received that Deborah Wiseman Bennett; the mother of Sarah Pojanowski, General Counsel for Selected Independent Funeral Homes; died Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Additional Information.
Gordon E. Morgan – December 25, 2024
Word has been received that Gordon E. Morgan second generation funeral director and retired Managing Director of former Selected member firm Morgan Funeral Home in Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON and father of Ernie Morgan, President & Managing Director of former Selected member firm Morse & Son Funeral Home; died Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Memorials may be made to:
Additional Information.
William Leo McReavy, Sr. – December 23, 2024
Word has been received that William "Bill Sr." L. McReavy third generation owner and former Chief Executive Officer of Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services in Minneapolis, MN and father of William “Bill Jr.” W. McReavy and Cyndi McReavy-Seitz; died Monday, December 23, 2024. Memorials may be made to:
- University of Minnesota Foundation
- Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
- Mount Carmel Lutheran Church
- The McReavy Family Charitable Foundation
- The Woman's Club of Minneapolis
Beth Ann Hasler – December 21, 2024
Word has been received that Beth Ann Hasler, the wife of Rod Hasler, the former owner of Welch & Cornett Funeral Homes (Walton Funeral Service, Inc.) in Linton, IN; died Saturday, December 21, 2024. Memorials to the ministry of your choice.
Additional Information.
Richard Francis Solich, Jr. – November 17, 2024
Word has been received that Richard Francis Solich, Jr.; brother of funeral director and Location Manager Robert Solich of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services in Cleveland, OH; died Sunday, November 17, 2024. Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities Refugee Resource Center at St. Colman Church: 2027 W. 65th St., Cleveland, OH 44102.
Additional Information.
Thomas (Tommy) Lynn Welch – November 13, 2024
Word has been received that Thomas (Tommy) Lynn Welch; former owner of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland, TX and father of current owner and President Kasi Welch Baker; died Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Memorials may be made to:
- First Church of the Nazarene: 1400 S. Lancaster St., Big Spring, TX 79720
- National MS Society: PO Box #91891, Washington, D.C. 20090-1891
- American Alzheimer’s Association: 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601
Barry Dean Brekhus – October 22, 2024
Word has been received that Barry Dean Brekhus; funeral director for 44 years at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary & Crematory in Billings, MT; died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
Neal W. Schneider – October 16, 2024
Word has been received that Neal W. Schneider; founder of Schneider Funeral Directors, Inc. in Janesville, WI and grandfather of owner Neal J. Schneider; died Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Memorials may be made to Hoo's Woods Raptor Center: PO Box 21, Milton, WI 53563.
Additional Information.
Gary Jones Jarrett – September 25, 2024
Word has been received that Gary Jones Jarrett; Co-Owner of Acree-Davis Funeral Home in Toccoa, GA; died Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Memorials may be made to Open Arms Clinic: 109 Big A Rd., Toccoa, GA 30577, in memory of Mr. Gary Jones Jarrett.
Additional Information.