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Meet Our Staff


Jeff Edwards

Jeff Edwards

Founder, Emeritus, 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.

Telephone: 1-740-387-1188

Email: 


Kelly Hoening

Kelly Hoening

Managing Funeral Director and Embalmer

Kelly is a 2016 graduate Cum Laude with a bachelors degree from 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.

Telephone: 1-740-387-1188

Email: 


David Haines

David Haines

Crematory Manager

David manages the Crematory for Edwards Funeral Service in addition to his role of meeting with families and is our staff Embalming instructor.

Telephone: 1-740-387-1188

Email: 


Cassie Cassell

Cassie Cassell

Office Administrator

After many years in the manufacturing industry, in 2017 I decided it was time for a change. I left the field and went into the medical field. I am very grateful for my time in a doctors office and the vast knowledge I learned. Since coming to Edwards, the experience has been totally different but amazing!

I grew up in Marion and graduated from Marion Harding High School. I, also, attended Marion Technical College studying business.

I have 3 grown children and 2 granddaughters; they keep me on my toes. In my free time, I love spending time with my family. Always up for a road trip and love the outdoors.

I am looking forward to helping families in our Marion community.

Telephone: 1-740-387-1188

Email: 


Gary Lyons

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.

Telephone: 1-740-387-1188

Email: 


Brenda Lyons

Brenda Lyons

Funeral Associate

I am a Native of Marion, OH.

Married to Gary Lyons for 54 years

Have 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Was a Stay-at-Home Mom and Grandma before going to work for Interim Health Care of Marion in 2007.  While at Interim Health Care my duties consisted of Office Administrative Assistant, HR Representative and Scheduler.

Retired after working for Interim Health Care for 10 years.

Was Co-host for The Southern Gospel Concert Radio Show with  my husband Gary on Tuesday evenings for 26 years at WXML New Vision Radio in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

Have traveled extensively with my husband Gary and my son Kevin singing Gospel Music in Ohio and surrounding States.

Have served as Minister of Music in various churches with my husband Gary in Marion and Crawford County.


Stuart Snow

Stuart Snow

Funeral Director

Stuart is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He comes to us from a successful Funeral Home and Preneed Sales Management career. Prior to his current role, he served as an Area Sales Manager, Regional Sales Director and as a Vice President of Preneed Marketing for a funeral service organization where he also served as a Managing Director; with both sales and operational responsibilities. He served several years in the management of funeral homes in Indiana and Ohio.

Stuart graduated from Andersonville Theological Seminary with a Masters’s in Religious Educationand a Doctorate in Theology and Grief Counseling. He also earned aBachelors degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Sciencein 2008. Stuart serves a church as a bi-vocational pastor. He resides with his wife Leigh Anne and family. 

Stuart is a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association and the Ohio Funeral Directors Association. Stuart holds the (CFSP) Certified Funeral Service Practitioner designation through the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practicethe (CPC) Certified Preplanning Counselor designation through NFDA and also has the  Certified Crematory Operator Certification through ICCFA. He enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.


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