Meet Our Staff

Jeff Edwards

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Jeff is a 2002 Graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Upon graduation, he began his journey into his second career and first love which is funeral service and helping people.  Prior to beginning his career in funeral service, Jeff was an I.S. Operations Manager and presently is still a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

He is a pioneer in the funeral industry being the first Funeral Director in the United States to perform the disposition method of Alkaline Hydrolysis on a human being. Jeff is passionate about the Alkaline Hydrolysis disposition method and enjoys traveling and speaking nationwide to Funeral Directors on a professional level. He has also worked closely with numerous Funeral Directors throughout the United States in the installation and implementation of the alkaline hydrolysis technology. This method of disposition is also referred to as Aquamation.

He is a former Worthy Vice-President of the Southside Eagles Lodge #2244. Jeff spends much of his time educating families about Burial, Cremation and Alkaline Hydrolysis service choices, as well as, dedicating himself to providing extraordinary service at the most affordable prices in the State of Ohio. It is his passion to bring affordable funeral service options to all of Ohio. He believes that at a funeral, you should pay your respects and not your life savings. Jeff is a Notary Public in the State of Ohio. Jeff is Certified by C.A.N.A. (Cremation Association of North America) as a Crematory Owner/Operator.

Kelly Hoening

Managing Funeral Director and Embalmer

Kelly is a 2016 graduate Cum Laude with a bachelors degree from the “Harvard of Mortuary Schools”, The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Upon graduation, she started serving her apprenticeship at Edwards Funeral Service working closely with Mr. Edwards. Kelly has her Certified Crematory Operator Certificate from the National Funeral Directors Association as a Certified Crematory Operator and is a Certified Funeral Celebrant by the In-Sight Institute. She completed her apprenticeship and passed her exams on the first try in 2017 and is excited to continue her career as the Managing funeral director/embalmer with Edwards Funeral Service in our Marion, Ohio location.

Sujoy Ghosh

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer

Sujoy graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science with an Associates in Mortuary Science in 2018. He passed the Natonal Boards on the first try, and has recently passed his Ohio Board. He received his Bachelors from The Ohio State University in 1979 in Zoology. Prior to changing careers, Sujoy spent 30 plus years in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales rep, a sales manager, and a sales trainer. During his tenure in the pharma industry, he won many awards as top salesperson, as well as creating new training programs for various companies.

He has two daughters, two son-in-laws, and five grandchildren. At home he shares his space with two dogs - both mutts. You will see him daily walking his dogs in the village of his residence. He also enjoys riding his motorcycle, when time and weather cooperate.

Serving others in their time of need is of greatest importance to him. Sujoy spends part of his week overseeing operations at our  Columbus location as well as Edwards’ private Crematory operation in Central Ohio. Sujoy is our company liaison with our healthcare and hospice partners.

Gary Lyons

Funeral Associate

Gary Lyons is a Marion native and well known in the Marion community. He served in the United States Army, attended Fort Wayne Bible College and retired after 44 years working at Whirlpool Corporation. You may know him from his Tuesday evening Christian Radio Broadcast or volunteering his time reading to elementary school children on Thursday afternoons. He is also an accomplished singer and he and his family travel extensively as a Gospel quartet.  You will find him greeting you at the door during visiting hours, assisting visitors in the parking lot during funeral services and helping us by running various errands. He is also available to assist families who have no church affiliation by providing a "Celebrant Service" to celebrate the life of their loved one or acting as a "minister of music" providing vocal solos during a funeral service.

Brenda Lyons

Funeral Associate