funeral director, Snyder Funeral Homes Richardson Davis Chapel, Galion, Ohio, died February 13, 2024, at age 54. Sparks was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. In the course of his 31-year career, he was a member of Ohio Funeral Directors, National Funeral Directors and Ohio Embalmers associations. He was also past president of Galion Kiwanis Club and a board member of Galion YMCA. Sparks is survived by wife Jayme and twin brother Ryan.
 

retired funeral director and former owner, Simes Funeral Mortuary, Coolidge, Arizona, died January 21, 2024, at age 77. Simes graduated from Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science and began his funeral service career, ultimately owning and operating funeral homes in Belvidere, Hebron, Rochelle and Ashton, Illinois. During this time, he served on the boards of directors of the McHenry County Funeral Directors Association and the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. After moving to Arizona, he built Simes Mortuaries in Coolidge and Florence, along with Valley Memorial Park cemetery, expanding to Casa Grande. Retiring in 2009, Simes sold his businesses.
He spent many years involved with Casa Grande Rotary Club, as a member (and sometimes president) of Casa Grande Regional Medical Center, Compassas Hospice, the Hospice Charitable Fund of Central Arizona and the Chamber of Commerce. 
He is survived by daughter Kim, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

funeral director, Getz Funeral Home, Las Cruces, New Mexico, died January 18, 2024, at age 50. Getz graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. Returning to Las Cruces, he joined his father in the family business and also served on the board of the New Mexico Funeral Service Association, eventually as president. While serving on the board, he was elected to represent the state as an NFDA Policy Board member, where he served for 16 years. Getz was among the first directors in Las Cruces to obtain his Certified Funeral Service Practitioner certification.
Getz is survived by sons Tristyn and Tanner (Taylor and Tessa); father Terry (also of Getz Funeral Home); two grandchildren; and siblings Bryan, Chad (also of Getz Funeral Home) and Raquel.
 

retired funeral director and father of David Burnett, funeral director and owner, Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home in Johnston, South Carolina, died February 2, 2024, at age 85. Burnett began working at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home, obtained his funeral service license in 1964 and ran ambulance service until 1971. In 1972, he purchased the funeral home and Jennie’s Flower Shop and has served the people of Edgefield County for 66 years.
Burnett was elected Edgefield county coroner and was honored with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor given to a civilian in South Carolina, for his many contributions to Edgefield County and 47 years of service in the coroner’s office, which made him the longest serving South Carolina coroner.
He was a member of Edgefield American Legion and served on the board of directors for Edgefield Civic League and Edgefield Cemetery Association. Burnett retired as fire chief in 1988 after 30 years with the Edgefield Fire Department. In 2007, he was Edgefield County’s Outstanding Citizen and in 2023 was honored with the Distinguished Community Service Award for his years as coroner.
He is survived by wife Cindy; children David, Scott, Amber and Kristy; four granddaughters; and six great grandchildren.

funeral director and owner, Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home, Hartsville, South Carolina, died February 8, 2024, at age 100. Atkins attended Coker College and was a veteran of World War II, during which he served as a medical tech stationed in England. 
After the war, he was associated with the firm presently known as Brown-Pennington-Atkins for 77 years and was the oldest living funeral director in South Carolina. Atkins was also a member of Hartsville Masonic Lodge 173 and was the oldest living Mason in Hartsville.
Atkins had a remarkable memory. His children and grandchildren loved for him to share poetry he had learned in elementary school and he also proudly shared many stories about his time spent in the war.
He is survived by sons James and George, daughter Sara, nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren

funeral director and owner, Falardeau Funeral Home, Baldwinsville, New York, died November 8, 2023, at age 85. Falardeau’s passion for service extended to his roles in Knights of Columbus and Rotary, where he earned the prestigious Paul Harris Award, as well as service on various boards. Falardeau is survived by wife Helen; children Yvette, Jeffrey and Mary; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

retired funeral director and owner, father of funeral director Kathleen Blackstone-Tomasino and grandfather of Danielle Altaffer, all of Blackstone Funeral Home, Girard, Ohio, died December 27, 2023, at age 86.

Blackstone attended Youngstown College and worked at Ohio Leather Works. He graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and became the third generation to work for and own Blackstone Funeral Home, working with his father, Gordon, until his death, and with daughter Kathleen since 1981. He was a member of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association and the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, where he was honored for 50 years in funeral service in 2013.

Blackstone was passionate about working as a special firefighter for Girard Fire Department until 1995. He also owned and operated Blackstone Ambulance Service until the fire department started its own service. He was active in the Italian Fraternal Home Club, Saxon Club and many golf leagues throughout his life.

Blackstone is survived by children Kathleen, Thomas and Sheri; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

funeral director, Walter E. Martens & Sons Funeral Home, Cleveland, Ohio, died January 7, 2024, at age 78. Following high school, Martens attended John Carroll University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history. He then graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he created the first PIMS bowling league. He was the second generation of Martens, along with his brother, Ed, to run Walter E. Martens & Sons.

He was involved with numerous community organizations, including Knights of Columbus Council and Cudell Improvement, a neighborhood redevelopment organization where he served as treasurer and board member.

Martens was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, the Cuyahoga County Funeral Directors Association, the Ohio Embalmers Association and the Cleveland Embalmers Association. He was also part of and a founding member of Foresight Family Funeral Homes, an organization promoting family-owned funeral homes within northeast Ohio. In 2020, he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a licensed funeral director and embalmer.

Martens is survived by wife Victoria, five children, three grandchildren and two brothers.

funeral director, O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home, Hancock, Michigan, died September 28, 2023, at age 70. Plesha served in the U.S. Army and later in the Army National Guard, finally retiring from the U.S. Naval Reserve. He continued his education at Suomi College in Hancock, Michigan, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. Plesha liked to keep busy and experienced many career paths throughout his life, including working at White Pine Copper Mine, as an EMT for Mercy Ambulance, Delta Air Lines, Somero Enterprises, Advance Auto Parts and various area funeral homes. He was a member of the American Legion.

Plesha is survived by wife Linda, children Jeri and Steve, three grandchildren and a great-grandson.

funeral director and owner, Maddox Funeral Home, Front Royal, Virginia, died November 24, 2023, at age 67. Maddox graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and obtained his mortuary science degree from Catonsville Community College in Maryland. He owned and operated Maddox Funeral Home for more than 40 years, being the fourth-generation family member in the funeral profession.

Maddox was a member of the Kiwanis, Rotary and the Izaak Walton League of America. He also sang with the Winchester Arts Chorale and the Blue Ridge Singers.

He is survived by wife Sharon, son Arthur, daughter Mary, seven grandchildren and two brothers.