retired funeral director and owner, St. John Funeral Home, Bedford, Ohio, died February 28, 2024, at age 93. St. John received a bachelor’s degree in English from John Carroll University and then served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant in Greenland. Working for many years in the family funeral business, he was a member of the Bedford School Board for several decades and officiated high school sports for 50-plus years. In later life, St. John obtained a bachelor’s degree in geology from Cleveland State University and taught adult education courses in geology and archeology at Cuyahoga Community College. He is survived by children Kathleen and Gregory, three grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and a brother.

funeral director and president, Warford Mortuary, Amarillo, Texas, died March 3, 2024, at age 73. Overstreet completed his funeral service education at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston. He was a longtime member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association and served on its Legislative Committee. Initially pursuing ­premedical undergraduate study, he later switched to a major in sociology. Believing that preparation in the social sciences and the study of law would empower him to “change the world,” Overstreet received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from what is now Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston. He was first assistant district attorney in the 47th Judicial District of Amarillo. In 1990, Judge Overstreet became the first African American elected to a statewide office in Texas since Reconstruction. He served on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, authoring more than 500 opinions.

Following his time on the Court of Appeals, Overstreet practiced law in various Texas cities and later served again as a judge. He then returned to TSU, where he served as director of the Legal Clinic and as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Evidence and Criminal Procedure. Overstreet was a frequent lecturer and public speaker, and he taught scores of continuing education seminars statewide and nationally.

Overstreet is survived by wife Carla, daughter Elizabeth, son West and three grandchildren.

retired funeral director, owner and operator, Gillman Funeral Home, Rittman, Ohio, died March 2, 2024, at age 86. Gillman graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and, with his brother, assumed ownership and operation of the funeral home. In 1974, the new Gillman Funeral Home was constructed at its present location. After retiring in 2003, he continued to help with services for several years. Gillman also ran Rittman’s ambulance service for many years with his brother. Gillman was an active member of Rittman Rotary Club and served on the Chippewa Valley Bank Board of Directors, the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store Board and as a Habitat volunteer. He is survived by daughters Joan and Jennifer, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his sister.

funeral director and owner, Haase-Lockwood Funeral Homes & Crematory, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, died February 29, 2024, at age 66. Lockwood graduated from mortuary science school and was licensed in 1980. In 1983, he opened the doors of Lockwood Funeral Home in Elkhorn and began building his business with the support of his cousin, Tom Jacobs; they later become a combined owner/operator of funeral homes in Elkhorn, Twin Lakes and Genoa City. Lockwood was a former supervisor of the Town of Geneva, sat for a time on the Walworth County Board of Supervisors and most recently was a trustee for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He is survived by wife Mary; children Alex, Daniel, Andrew and Megan; and six grandchildren.

Donald O. Folsom, funeral director, Folsom Funeral Service, Dedham, Massachusetts, died March 2, 2024, at age 90. Folsom served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War; he was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he served as an operating room specialist. Upon his honorable discharge, Folsom attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and graduated from New England Institute of Applied Funeral Arts and Sciences in 1958. He worked as a funeral director in his family’s business, Folsom Funeral Service, and would spend the next 30 years proudly serving his community. Folsom was elected a member of the Dedham Board of Health in the 1980s and was a proud member of Constellation Lodge A.F.&F.M. He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow after being a 30-year member and past president of Rotary Club of Dedham. Upon moving to Keene, New Hampshire, in 1988, Folsom became affiliated with Fletcher Funeral Home and later Cournoyer Funeral Home. He is survived by children David Folsom, Deborah Folsom, Mark Goodell, Kim Goodell and Scott Goodell; plus many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

funeral director, Mason & Sons Funeral Home, Madisonville, Kentucky, died February 6, 2024, at age 71.

funeral director, Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, Bangor, Maine, died March 9, 2024, at age 61. Fernald graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, where he earned a degree in marine engineering and worked across the country as a chief engineer for high-rise buildings and mega hotels. Later, he found himself longing to return home to Maine, and upon returning attended New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Mount Ida College to earn his mortuary science degree. Fernald, a fifth-generation director, served the community as he led the creation of Pine Grove Crematorium, the first of its kind in the state. He also developed and mentored a number of practitioners. Fernald was a past president of the Maine Funeral Directors Association, a past member of the State of Maine Board of Funeral Service and past president of the board of Hospice of Hancock County. He combined his love of sailing and support of hospice by playing a role in creating the Hospice Regatta of Maine, a charity fundraiser for the agency that has raised more than $500,000 since its launch in 1997. Fernald’s summers were spent boating with family and friends, and sailing with his racing team, which twice led him to the National Hospice Regatta Alliance Championship. He is survived by daughter Caroline; life partner Christii; Christii’s daughter, Sam, and parents, Jeanne and William; and sisters Katherine, Rebecca, Amy and Missy.

funeral director, Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wehpeton, North Dakota, died November 23, 2023, at age 70. Caspers attended Northern State College and after graduation worked at a bank in Aberdeen until another opportunity arose when Bun Munson, a longtime funeral director, was retiring. Caspers decided to go back to college to obtain his degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota. He then embarked on his 30-year career in funeral service at Vertin-Munson. Caspers was active in the Wahpeton community, serving in the JCs [John Carroll Society], Downtown Development Corporation, Community Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce and North Dakota Retail Association. He was also involved in youth groups through the Optimist Club, Wahpeton Youth Football and Girls Junior Olympic Volleyball. He started a community group to assist in recommendations for possibly merging North Dakota State College of Science under North Dakota State University. Caspers then served on the state Board of Education for five years. He is survived by children Christopher and Cassie, five grandchildren and four brothers.

retired funeral director and owner, Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Skippack, Pennsylvania, died November 18, 2023, at age 84. Williams graduated from Drexel University and was a Dean’s Award graduate of Eckels College of Mortuary Science. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran.
In 1965, Williams purchased Dotts Funeral Home in Skippack, which became R.L. Williams Jr. Funeral Home. In 1972, he built the current facility, serving the Skippack community for more than 50 years. He retired in 2020 after over 60 years in funeral service.
Williams was a board member of the Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, a member of Warren Lodge 310 F.&A.M. in Collegeville, a chairman of the Salvation Army Unit and past president of the Montgomery County Funeral Directors Association. He was also a 32nd degree Mason with Lehigh Consistory and a member of the Rajah Temple Shrine, Skippack Lions Club, Antique Automobile Club of America and others, where he served on several boards and committees. 
Williams is survived by daughter Wendy, three grandchildren, two step-grandsons and two sisters
 

president/owner, John Quint Treboni Funeral Home, Columbus, Ohio, died January 24, 2024, at age 83. Quint Treboni, second generation of the family funeral home, dedicated her life to serving families. She loved her patrons and could often discuss family ancestry for three or four generations. She is survived by husband Louis, son Anthony, two grandsons and brother Robert.