Our Generous Donors

Our Generous Donors

The Selected Educational Trust is pleased to recognize those individuals and organizations whose support has helped make our educational and workforce development programs successful. Thank you!

Click here to view our 2024 Honor Roll of Donors as a PDF.

Click here to view a historical tribute to all our donors.

2024 Donors

Updated February 5, 2025

2024 Donors

Updated February 5, 2025

None
Pyramid Builders Society

The donors in this special society have made a commitment to the Trust of at least $15,000. We are deeply grateful to this distinguished group of leaders who have paved the way for the future of the Trust through their foresight, leadership, and support.

Tom E. Antram, French Funerals & Cremations, Albuquerque, NM (2021 – 2024)
Kevin D. Brown, Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Inc., New Castle, IN (2022 – 2025)
Bruce Buchanan, Flanner Buchanan, Indianapolis, IN (2022 – 2025)
Arthur I. Erickson, Beecher & Bennett Inc., Hamden CT (2022 -2025)
Kimberly Farris-Luke, Farris Funeral Service, Inc., Abingdon, VA (2020 – 2023)
William Hawkins, Founder Angeleno Mortuaries (In honor of Tom Johnson) (2022 – 2025)
John and Claudia Kepner, Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, Huntersville, NC (2022 – 2025)
Robert Nunnaley, Pines Funerals, Carthage, NC (2020 – 2026)
Kevin Schoedinger, Schoedinger & Company, Columbus, OH (2022 – 2025)
Sean and Cynthia Thompson, Thompson Funeral Chapel, Goodyear, AZ (2021 – 2024)
Brad and Mary Kay Speaks, The Speaks Foundation, Indepndence, MO (2023-2026)
Paul C. St. Pierre, CFSP,Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood, IN (2019 – 2022)

Pinnacle Donors
The mission of the Trust centers around building a bright future for the profession. That’s why we created this new designation to recognize and honor individuals and organizations whose cumulative giving since 2011 totals more than $15,000. Their sustained and unwavering support is propelling us forward.

A.S. Turner & Sons, Inc., Robert “Cy” Hume, Decautur, GA
Answering Service for Directors (ASD), Kevin Czachor, Media, PA
Batesville, Kim Lippert, Batesville, IN
Baue Family Charitable Fund, Lisa Baue, Parker, CO
Baue Funeral Homes, Crematory and Cemetery, Saint Charles, MO
Beecher & Bennett, Inc., Arthur I. Erickson, Hamden, CT
The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Charles Billow, Akron, OH
Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory, Thomas R. Morris, Wichita, KS
Kimberly Farris-Luke, Farris Funeral Service, Inc., Abingdon, VA
Flanner Buchanan, Indianapolis, IN
French Funerals & Cremations, Tom Antram, Albuquerque, NM
Gunderson Funeral Home, Madison, WI
William Hawkins, Founder of Angeleno Mortuaries, Northridge, CA, In Memory of Tom Johnson
Mark Higgins, Durham, NC
Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Inc., Kevin D. Brown, New Castle, IN
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapels, David H. Moore, Mason City, IA
Homesteaders Life Company, West Des Moines, IA
Iles Funeral Homes, Inc., John Wild, Des Moines, IA
Live Oak Bank, Wilmington, NC
National Guardian Life Insurance Company, Madison, WI
Physicians Mutual, Omaha, NE
Pines Funerals, Robert Nunnaley, Carthage, NC
Porter Loring Mortuary, Porter Loring, San Antonio, TX
Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, John and Claudia Kepner, Huntersville, NC
Robert E Shure & Son Funeral Home Inc., James M. Shure, New Haven, CT
The Schoedinger Family, Schoedinger Funeral Service, Columbus, OH
The Speaks Foundation, Brad and Mary Kay Speaks, Independence, MO
Thompson Funeral Chapel, Sean and Cynthia Thompson, Goodyear, AZ
Thumbies, Woodstock, IL
Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Eric and Barbara Trimble, Moline, IL
Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Paul St. Pierre, Greenwood, IN
General Support Donors

We thank each of the following individuals and organizations who donated to the Trust between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, Megan Comer, Escondido, CA
Answering Service for Directors (ASD), Kevin Czachor, Media, PA
A.S. Turner & Sons, Inc., Robert “Cy” Hume, Decatur, GA
Baue Family Charitable Fund, Lisa Baue, Parker, CO
Bauer Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Inc., Jennifer Bauer Eroh, Kittanning, PA
Fred Bayley, Forest City, NC
Beecher & Bennett, Inc., Arthur I. Erickson, Hamden, CT
Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, Ann Ciccarelli, Saugus MA
Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, P.A. Lee, Garner, NC
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH
Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, Chris Branson, Mooresville, IN
Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors, Inc., Pampa, TX
Jeff & Rosemary Casey, Scottsdale, AZ
Cypress Lawn, Robert Gordon, Colma, CA
Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory, Thomas R. Morris, Wichita, KS
Etzweiler Family Funeral Service, Ashlee G. Etzweiler, York, PA
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, Frank E. Smith, Lancaster, OH
French Funerals & Cremations, Tom E. Antram, Albuquerque, NM
Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre, Larry Geisen, Crown Point, IN
Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Glenn P. Taylor, Sr., Owensboro, KY
Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, John Greco, Weirton, WV
Gunderson Funeral Home, Rachel Gunderson, Madison, WI
Haben Funeral Home & Crematory, John W. Haben, Skokie, IL
Hackman Family Funeral Homes, Gregory B. Hackman, Sturgis, MI
Haisley Funeral and Cremation Service, Richard F. Haisley, Fort Pierce, FL
Halpin-Bitecola Brookdale Funeral & Cremation Services, Bloomfield, NJ
William Hawkins, Founder of Angeleno Mortuaries, Northridge, CA, In Memory of Tom Johnson
Heritage Mortuary, Inc., Larnique Mickens, Las Vegas, NV
Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Inc., Kevin D. Brown, New Castle, IN
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapels, David H. Moore, Mason City, IA
Holloway Funeral Home, PA, Johnathan Holloway, Salisbury, MD
Hughes Family Tribute Center, Stephanie Hughes, Dallas, TX
Iles Funeral Homes, Inc. John Wild, Des Moines, IA
Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, Robert Justen and Nancy Justen, McHenry, IL
Kelco, Alicia Carr, Big Lake, MN
Keohane Funeral Home, John E. Keohane, Quincy, MA
Kimberly Farris-Luke, Farris Funeral Service, Inc., Abingdon, VA
Daniel J. Kochapski, Carmon Community Funeral Homes, Windsor, CT
Larkin Mortuary, Lance C. Larkin, Salt Lake City, UT
Law-Jones Funeral Homes, Inc., Matthew A. Jones, Savanna, IL
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Michael Lensing, Iowa City, IA
Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes, Tiffany Hofer, Miller, SD
Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. & Crematory, John E. Parker, Leonardtown, MD
McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, Jason Winters, Okmulgee, OK
The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, David Cox, Muncie, IN
Miles Funeral Home, Richard Mansfield, Jr., Holden, MA
O.R. Woodyard Co., Devin Woodyard, Columbus, OH
O’Connor Mortuary, Joseph G. Fitzgerald, Laguna Hills, CA
O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral and Cremation Services, St. Paul, MN
Panebaker Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, Inc., C. Michael Newman, Hanover, PA
Pierson’s Funeral Service, Ltd., Michael J. Pierson, Calgary, AB, Canada
Pines Funerals, Robert Nunnaley, Carthage, NC
Ralph Robinson & Son, Inc., Scott Robinson, Pine Bluff, AR
Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, John and Claudia Kepner, Huntersville, NC
Risher Mortuary & Cremation Service, Barbara Risher Welch, Montebello, CA
Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Kenneth L. Roberson, Port Charlotte, FL
Ryan Mortuary, Inc., Stephen Ryan, Salina, KS
The Sam Viersen Family Foundation, Inc., Tulsa, OK
The Schoedinger Family, Schoedinger Funeral Service, Columbus, OH
Selected Group 1 Fund
Selected Group 4 Fund
Selected Past Officers Council
Smith Funeral Home, Broadway Inc., April Smith Collins, Broadway, NC
Starks Family Funeral Homes, Thomas L. Starks, Saint Joseph, MI
Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Jacob Wittrock, Cedar Rapids, IA
Study Group Sea
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home-Downtown, Thomas F. McAfee, Greenville, SC
Tres Hewell Mortuary, Tres Hewell, Seguin, TX
Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Eric and Barbara Trimble, Moline, IL
Trimble Funeral Homes, Kyle W. Trimble, Jefferson City, MO
Turner & Porter Funeral Directors, Douglas Porter, Toronto, ON, Canada
Waite & Son Funeral Homes Medina Chapel, Christopher Waite, Medina, OH
Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels, Inc., William McReavy, Minneapolis, MN
Welch & Cornett Funeral Home – Walton Funeral Service, Inc., Garrett Todd Walton, Linton, IN
Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, Al Asta, Phoenix, AZ
Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, Waco, TX
Wilks Funeral Homes, Brock Wilks, Chubbuck, ID
Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Paul St. Pierre, Greenwood, IN
Wise Funeral Service, David E. Wise, Bucyrus, OH
Denise Zoephel, Lakemoor, IL
Program & Scholarship Sponsors
INSTITUTE FORE EXCEPTIONAL FUNERAL SERVICE
National Guardian Life Insurace Company (NGL), Madison, WI

SECOND-CAREER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Gunderson Funeral Home, Madison, WI

SELECTED LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Homesteaders Life Company, West Des Moines, IA 

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS PROGRAM
Physicians Mutual, Omaha, NE

FALL 2024 MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE
Tribute Technology, Waunakee, WI

CHESTER T. FRENCH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
French Funerals & Cremations, Tom Antram, Albuquerque, NM

MICHAEL R. ST. PIERRE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Betty and Paul C. St. Pierre, CFSP, Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood, IN

RALPH S. TURNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
A.S. Turner & Sons, Inc., Robert “Cy” Hume, Decatur, GA 

Silent Auction Donors & Winning Bidders
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, Megan Comer, Escondido, CA
Scott J. Baeten, Ryan Funeral Home, Inc., De Pere, WI
Ricardo Carrillo, Carrillo Funeral Homes, Dallas, TX
Monte Crabbs, Parker, CO
Cremation Recycling, Kevin McKay, Des Plaines, IL
Carol DeFiore, DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley, IL
The Dodge Company, Debbie Dodge, Billerica, MA
Etzweiler Family Funeral Service, Ashlee G. Etzweiler, York, PA
Stefanie Favia, Milwaukee, WI
Jennifer Finnerty, Rose Family Funeral Home & Cremation, Simi Valley, CA
The Foresight Companies, Chris Cruger, Phoenix, AZ
French Funerals & Cremations, Tom E. Antram, Albuquerque, NM
Ashley Gottlieb, Reno, NV
Granville Urns, Fletcher Hassenfelt, Greensboro, NC
Graystone Associates, Webster, TX
Gunderson Funeral Home, Rachel Gunderson, Madison, WI
Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Inc., Kevin D. Brown, New Castle, IN
Bill Hoy, Grief Connect, Crawford, TX
Kale Funeral Home, Todd Kale, Osceola, IA
Kelco, Alicia Carr, Big Lake, MN
Keohane Funeral Home, John E. Keohane, Quincy, MA
Lacy Robinson, LLC, Prospect, KY
LeRoy Rader Funeral Home, Inc., Charles Rader, Longview, TX
Michael & Katherine Lewis, Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Milton, FL
Live Oak Bank, Wilmington, NC
Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., JimmiAnne Lowe, Burlington, NC
Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes, Tiffany A. Hofer, Miller, SD
Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. & Crematory, John E. Parker, Leonardtown, MD
McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, Jason Winters, Okmulgee, OK
Heather McWilliams Mierzejewski, Tribute Technology, West Des Moines, IA
Pines Funerals, Robert Nunnaley, Carthage, NC
PlotBox, Boston, MA
Sarah Pojanowski, Mishawaka, IN
Gayla D. Satre, Mankato Mortuary, Mankato, MN
Starks Family Funeral Homes, Thomas L. Starks, Saint Joseph, MI
True Fitted by M. Kenny’s, Sean Khemani, Irvine, CA
Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, Al Asta, Phoenix, AZ
Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Paul St. Pierre, Greenwood, IN
C.A.R.E. Initiative
We are pleased and grateful to recognize the following firms that have contributed to the Trust through a portion of their annual recycling revenues.

Haisley Funeral and Cremation Service, Richard F. Haisley, Fort Pierce, FL
Panebaker Funeral Home, Inc., C.M Newman, Hanover, PA
Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Eric and Barb Trimble, Moline, IL
Welch & Cornett Funeral Home Walton Funeral Service, Inc., Garrett Todd Walton, Linton, IN

Memorial Gift Donors

The Trust is pleased to recognize these special tribute gifts made in memory of the following individuals.

MICHAEL A. ASSALLEY
Selected Group 4 Fund

FRED L. BATES
Baue Family Charitable Fund, Lisa Baue, Parker, CO
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH
Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory, Thomas R. Morris, Wichita, KS
Selected Past Officers Council
Turner & Porter Funeral Directors, Douglas Porter, Toronto, ON, Canada
Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, Waco, TX

MARK GREER BAUE
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH
Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory, Thomas R. Morris, Wichita, KS

BRUCE “BUZ” BUZOGANY
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH
Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory, Thomas R. Morris, Wichita, KS

JOHN RANDOLPH CARMICHAEL, SR.
Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, Chris Branson, Mooresville, IN

DOROTHY CENTI
Hackman Family Funeral Homes, Gregory B. Hackman, Sturgis, MI
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapels, David Moore, Mason City, IA

MARY CICCARELLI
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH
Keohane Funeral Home, John E. Keohane, Quincy, MA
Pierson’s Funeral Service, Ltd., Michael J. Pierson, Calgary, AB, Canada

JOHN WILLIAM CRANE
Selected Group 1 Fund

JAMES FERNALD
Selected Group 1 Fund

THOMAS W. GARRY
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapels, David H. Moore, Mason City, IA
Selected Group 4 Fund

TOM JOHNSON
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapels, David H. Moore, Mason City, IA
McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, Jason Winters, Okmulgee, OK
The Schoedinger Family, Schoedinger Funeral Service, Columbus, OH

WILLIAM MCREAVY, SR.
Selected Group 4 Fund

ERNEST MILLS
Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, Chris Branson, Mooresville, IN
Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Inc., Kevin D. Brown, New Castle, IN

VERNON A. “J” MITCHELL, JR.
Bauer Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Inc., Jennifer Bauer Eroh, Kittanning, PA
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH
Denise Zoephel, Lakemoor, IL

MARLENE MORRIS
Baue Family Charitable Fund, Lisa Baue, Parker, CO
Iles Funeral Homes, Inc. John Wild, Des Moines, IA
Kelco, Alicia Carr, Big Lake, MN
Selected Group 4 Fund

FRANCIS JOHN MURPHY, SR.
Selected Group 1 Fund

JONATHAN PAIGE PAULI
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH

DAVID FORD PEARSON
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH

Ambassador Envoy Gift Donors

The 2024 Ambassdors of the Year Awards were awarded to Robert Nunnaley (Funeral Service Award) and Tim Bridgers (Industry Partner Award). The Trust is pleased to recognize the following individuals who made gifts in honor of Robert and Tim.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, Megan Comer, Escondido, CA
Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, Ann Ciccarelli, Saugus MA
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, James H. Busch, Cleveland, OH
Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, Chris Branson, Mooresville, IN
Etzweiler Family Funeral Service, Ashlee G. Etzweiler, York, PA
French Funerals & Cremations, Tom E. Antram, Albuquerque, NM
Hughes Family Tribute Center, Stephanie Hughes, Dallas, TX
Keohane Funeral Home, John E. Keohane, Quincy, MA
Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes, Tiffany Hofer, Miller, SD
Smith Funeral Home, Broadway Inc., April Smith Collins, Broadway, NC
Starks Family Funeral Homes, Thomas L. Starks, Saint Joseph, MI
Study Group Sea
Waite & Son Funeral Homes Medina Chapel, Christopher Waite, Medina, OH
Welch & Cornett Funeral Home – Walton Funeral Service, Inc., Garrett Todd Walton, Linton, IN
Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, Al Asta, Phoenix, AZ

2024 Welcome Celebration and Trust Reception Sponsors
The Welcome Celebration is the official kick-off of Selected’s Annual Meeting and it sets the stage for the unique exchange of knowledge and ideas that takes place during the week by fostering friendships old and new. The Trust Reception is a very special affair held immediately preceding the Welcome Celebration, to honor friends of the Trust, old and new. The Trust Reception also features the Ambassador of the Year Awards ceremony, honoring two individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to the Trust and its mission. We gratefully thank each of the sponsors that made these two phenomenal events possible!

GOLD SPONSOR
Homesteaders Life Company, West Des Moines, IA

SILVER SPONSORS

ASD, Media, PA

Precoa, Portland, OR

BRONZE SPONSORS

C&J Financial, LLC, Rainbow City, AL

Cremation Recycling, Des Plaines, IL
Dodge, Billerica, MA
Good Fellow CFO, Fort Collins, CO
Johnson Consulting Group, Scottsdale, AZ
Kelco, Big Lake, MN
Live Oak Bank, Willimington, NC
Private Label Caskets, Indianapolis, IN
Tribute Technology, Middleton, WI
The Whitt Group, Traveler’s Rest, SC

Your Funeral Coach, Parker, CO

COPPER SPONSORS

Cadence, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Certified Safety Training, Jacksonville, FL
Eternity’s Touch, Wallaceburg, ON, Canada
Facultatieve Technologies (FT), Medina, OH
Federated Insurance, Owatonna, MN
Full-Circle Aftercare, Kaysville, UT
Granville Urns, Greensboro, NC
Graystone Associates, Webster, TX
Messenger, Auburn, IN
OneRoom, Las Vegas, NV
Passare, Abilene, TX
PlotBox, Boston, MA
The Foresight Companies, Phoenix, AZ
The Kilpatrick Group, Nashville, TN
Thumbies, Woodstock, IL