recently retired funeral director, Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, Royal Oak, Michigan, died September 16, 2025, at age 102.

McLaughlin served in the U.S. Army during World War II and, upon returning, began his 75-plus-year tenure in the funeral service profession.

He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in mortuary science. He worked for FB Hunter before joining Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, where he continued his lifelong career. He even returned to work full time just weeks after “retiring” in 1988. Believed to be the oldest active funeral director in the country, he worked tirelessly through his 100th year.

McLaughlin attended the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, and was a member of the American Legion, Kiwanis Club, and Elks.

McLaughlin is survived by children Janice, Gayle, Barbara and Richard Jr.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

funeral director, Pedersen and Starbuck Funeral Home, Morris, Minnesota, died September 30, 2025, at age 41.

Lee attended Ridgewater College and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she earned her mortuary science degree. She began her career with Larson Funeral Home, then moved to Pipestone and continued her work at Hartquist Funeral Home. Finally, Lee joined the staff of Pedersen and Starbuck Funeral Home in Morris, where she worked until her death.

She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she served on various committees. She also was active in the Morris Area Scholarship Program.

Lee is survived by daughter Lauren Jean, parents Roger and Carol Moen, sisters Amber and Tracy, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

retired funeral director and former owner, Burkhead Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, died September 11, 2025, at age 87.

Green attended Olivet College in Michigan and graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in mortuary science. While in school, he worked at Burkhead Furniture Store in Olivet and Burkhead-Cheney Funeral Home in Charlotte. In 1980, he purchased Burkhead Funeral Home. Green was an active member of the Charlotte Lions Club for more than 50 years, during which he served as the organization’s president.

He is survived by wife LeAnn, sons Jeffrey and Michael, and sister Susie.

funeral director, wife of funeral director Lynn Jenkins, mother of funeral director and vice president Renata Jenkins Byler, and mother-in-law of funeral director Tim Byler, all of Roller-Chenal Funeral Homes, Little Rock, Arkansas, died October 9, 2025, at age 85.

After becoming a licensed funeral director, Jenkins joined her parents at Roller Funeral Home. Together, she and her husband led Roller Funeral Homes and built Citizens Fidelity Insurance Company. She oversaw much of the company’s marketing and community outreach. Jenkins was recognized with the Governor’s Corporate Humanitarian Award for her decades of philanthropy and volunteerism.

Jenkins supported Hospice of the Ozarks, Jericho Way and the Jenkins-Byler-Roller Family Foundation. She was a founding member of both Hospice of the Ozarks and the Arkansas Youth Suicide Prevention Commission, as well as a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Baxter County Historical Society. Jenkins also was a member of First Christian Church in Little Rock.

Jenkins is survived by husband Lynn, children Renata and Hunter, five grandchildren, and generations of co-workers.

funeral director and owner, Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home, Hubbard, Ohio, died September 26, 2025, at age 54.

Cummins attended Youngstown State University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He worked at the former Kelley-Robb Funeral Home until he and his sister purchased the firm, now named Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home.

Cummins was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and Ohio Embalmers Association. In 2013, the Hubbard High School Alumni Association named him Alumni of the Year, and he was given the Hometown Hero Award in 2021. He also was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.

Cummins is survived by wife Leisa, sons Brian and Eric, four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, sister and business partner Candee Svensson, and father William Sr.

funeral director and owner, Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home, Hubbard, Ohio, died September 26, 2025, at age 54.

Cummins attended Youngstown State University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He worked at the former Kelley-Robb Funeral Home until he and his sister purchased the firm, now named Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home.

Cummins was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and Ohio Embalmers Association. In 2013, the Hubbard High School Alumni Association named him Alumni of the Year, and he was given the Hometown Hero Award in 2021. He also was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.

Cummins is survived by wife Leisa, sons Brian and Eric, four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, sister and business partner Candee Svensson, and father, William Sr.

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.

former owner, Kennedy Funeral Home, Marietta, Oklahoma, died February 27, 2016, at age 70. As a funeral home manager and owner, Kennedy had more than 35 years of experience. He attended East Central University in Ada and graduated from Dallas Institute Gupton-Jones College in September 1966. Throughout his career, Kennedy managed funeral homes in Ada and Hugo and owned funeral homes in Okmulgee, Bristow, Wetumka, Ardmore and Marietta; he retired in October 2000. He served eight years on the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, with three terms as president; four years on the Bank of Love County Board of Directors; and on the Love County Chamber of Commerce Board of directors for four years. Kennedy served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in the 1st Infantry Division, also known as the "Big Red One," from 1967-69, with one year of Graves Registration in Vietnam, for which he was awarded three Army Commendation Medals, three Bronze Stars, two Vietnam Service Medals, one Vietnam Air Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He is survived by wife Sue; children Tara, Amber and Travis; and seven grandchildren.