Our Active Staff Members

John David Friend

Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer/Monument Representative

John David Friend has lived continuously in Lincoln County, Kentucky since he married Mary Benton Friend on November 8, 2008.  As a young child, he grew up in the Pond Community of Kings Mountain, Kentucky, where his father was minister of Pond Baptist Church.  John David’s funeral service career began in 2004, where he worked at Ramsey-Young Funeral Home in Lancaster, Kentucky.  In December 2009, he obtained his Funeral Director’s license.  He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business & Marketing Education, and a Master of Arts Degree in Education Administration. In March 2019, John David graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Service, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Service.  During that ceremony, he was named Valedictorian of his class.  In July 2019, he obtained his Embalmer's license.

John David’s family, in addition to his wife, includes his three beautiful daughters, Jesse Elizabeth, Ella Reese, and Logan Suzann; parents, Johnny Dale & Joyce Rogers Friend of Lancaster; and sister, Perri Ann Friend of Lancaster.  John David is a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Waynesburg, Kentucky.  John David currently serves as a Special Deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, was the past Chairperson of the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2016-2017) and currently is a Chamber Board Member, is a member of the Stanford Lions Club, where he currently serves as Assistant Treasurer, is a member of the Lincoln County Historical Society, where he previously served as Co-Treasurer and is currently on the Board of Directors, and a member of the Logan's Fort Foundation Board.  In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, landscaping, and watching University of Kentucky games.

Telephone: 1-859-583-7682

Email: 

Mary Benton Friend

Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer

Mary Benton Friend moved back to Stanford, Kentucky, in 2002 with her parents, the late Bobbie Sue Demrow & Jesse Clark Benton.  As a child, she traveled and lived in many places, around the world, depending on where her father was stationed in the military.  In 2006, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Western Kentucky University.  On November 8, 2008, she married John David Friend.  They have three beautiful daughters, Jesse Elizabeth, Ella Reese, and Logan Suzann.  Her other family members include one brother, Richard Benton (Stephanie) of Colorado; the late Earl & Rebexie Caudill Benton, who resided in Waynesburg, Kentucky.  Mary is a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Waynesburg.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, each week, she teaches the 3 and 4-year old class at Little Hands Preschool in Stanford.  She also is the current President of the Stanford Lions Club, a past member of the Stanford Elementary SBDM, a member of the Lincoln County Historical Society, is a committee member for Lincoln County Distinguished Young Woman (DYW), and Secretary for the Stanford ARC Board.

Telephone: 1-606-669-2099

Email: 

Kerry Jones

Funeral Director/Pre-Need Counselor/After-Care Ministry Coordinator

Bro. Kerry Jones first came to Lincoln County, Kentucky, in 1982 and worked in full-time ministry until 2011, when he began his career with the funeral homes.  He is an ordained minister and provides ministry services of preaching, singing, working visitations, prearranging, and coordinating the after-care ministry program for the funeral homes.  He and his wife, Kathy Adams, who married in 1984, reside in Stanford. They have two daughters, Jamie Hatter (Jesse) and Lindsay Harris (Lucas) both of Stanford; and seven grandchildren, Alex, Claire, and Ellen Sue Hatter, and Kate, Lillian Grace, Lucy, and Abigail Harris.  In his spare time, he enjoys singing, playing the guitar, landscaping, gardening, hiking, and playing golf.  He is also a member of a local band, "Shades of Gray".  Kerry is a member of Buffalo Springs Cemetery Board of Directors.  Kerry attends New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Stanford.

Telephone: 1-606-510-1107

Email: 

Janet Jacobs

Funeral Director/Administrative Assistant

Janet Jacobs grew up in the Highland Community of Lincoln County, Kentucky. She started working for Fox & Friend Funeral Home and Barnett, Demrow & Friend Funeral Home in June 2011. Janet retired, from the Lincoln County School System, after working 27 years in several different positions. She started as the secretary for Kings Mountain Memorial Elementary School and ended her years in the school system as the Food Service Director for the ten schools in Lincoln County.  Janet also previously kept stats for the Lincoln County Lady Patriots Basketball Team.  Janet’s family includes her husband, Roger; two children, Daniel Jacobs (Tiffany) of Danville, Kentucky and Katie Lou Blanton (Jeremy) of Waynesburg, Kentucky. Janet also has nine grandchildren, Lilly, Brody, Darcy Kate, and Marley Blanton and Cambria, Colt, Calisi Rose, Colette Blair Jacobs, and Charleston Kaye Jacobs. Janet, and her husband, Roger, own a small farm in Waynesburg.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading and watching sports of any kind. Janet is a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Waynesburg.

Email: 

Madison Caudill Wilburn

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Madison Caudill Wilburn was born and raised in Lincoln County, Kentucky.  She is a 2014 Graduate of Lincoln County High School.  In March 2017, she graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Services in Louisville, Kentucky with an Associate’s Degree in funeral service.  On Friday, April 7, 2017, she was hired full-time at the funeral homes.  On Tuesday, May 9, 2017, she was approved by the Kentucky Board of Embalmers & Funeral Directors to begin her one-year Embalming & Funeral Director Apprenticeship.  She, and her husband, Luke Wilburn (married June 10, 2017), resides in Stanford, Kentucky. Other family includes: two daughters, Oaklyn Blair & Maevry Kate; parents, Scott & Donna Cress Caudill of Stanford; one brother, Skyler Caudill (Josie) of Georgetown, paternal grandparents, Kenneth & Brenda Caudill of Stanford, Kentucky; and maternal grandparents, Bob & Carolyn Cress of Eubank, Kentucky.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs and enjoys running.  Madison attends Moreland Christian Church.

Email: 

Jason Coulter

Funeral Director

Jason Coulter was born and raised in Lincoln County, Kentucky. He and his wife, Heather Wilcher Coulter, married on July 5, 1996; and currently reside in McKinney. They have three children, Spencer (Lauren) Coulter of Moreland, Kentucky, Gentry (Lane) Ogle of Liberty, Kentucky, and Jaden Coulter-Malone, who is 13 years old. Jason has worked in the funeral industry since 2012; and received his KY Funeral Directors License in September of 2016. He is also a KY Licensed Life Insurance Agent and works as an independent agent for Transamerica Life Insurance Company.

Jason enjoys spending time with his family, playing the piano, and singing. He serves as Worship Pastor of the Green River Pentecostal Church; and just recently, he and his wife Heather have taken on the role as Youth Pastors for the high school age group at the church. 

John Kolasa

Ambassador

John Kolasa retired from the Lincoln County School System, having taught and coached for 30+ years.  His family includes his loving wife, Bonnie Gehlhausen of Stanford, Kentucky; and one son, Justin Kolasa (Katrina) of Lancaster, Kentucky.  John is an active member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church, serving as Deacon and Adult Sunday School Teacher.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading and his dog, Thunder.

Diane Hatter Sims

Ambassador

Diane Hatter Sims is a life-long resident of the Walltown Community of Casey County, Kentucky.  She began working at the funeral homes on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.  In 2017, Diane retired from the Casey County School System where she was a Teacher’s Aide for 29 years. 

Diane’s family includes her husband, Stevie Sims; one son, Chris Sims (Penny) of Walltown; and two grandsons, William Sims and Andrew Sims.  Diane is a member of Grove Ridge Baptist Church, and enjoys reading and gardening in her spare time. 

Joe Leach

Ambassador

Joe Leach has lived all but five years of his life in the Waynesburg community of Lincoln County, Kentucky.  He has worked for the funeral homes the past  10+ years.  In addition to working at the funeral home, Joe’s main job is driving a log truck.  He also serves as a Gideon for Gideons International.  His family includes his wife, Lynda Caudill Leach; three daughters, Debbie, Donna, and Tammy; and six grandchildren, Brittany, Shelby, Hailey, Taylor, Gaylen, and Blake.  In  his spare time, he likes to ride horse and wagon.  Joe is an active member of Double Springs Baptist Church, where he serves as Deacon and Sunday School Director.

Bob (Uncle Bob) Swett

Ambassador

Bob “Uncle Bob” Swett, began working at the funeral home in August 2020.  Bob was born and raised in Maine.  In 2008, he and his late wife Jan, moved to Stanford, Kentucky.  He immediately became involved in the Community Arts Center, where he became Director for several years.  After moving to Stanford, he, and his wife, owned Uncle Bob’s pizza for two years.  One of Bob’s passions is the Lions Club.  Bob has been a Lions Club member since 1974.  He was very active in the Harrison Lions Club (Maine) for many years, and is currently an active member of the Stanford Lions Club.  Throughout his years, in Lions International, he has had many leadership positions and has been awarded many honors. 

Bob’s immediate family includes his late wife, Jan Swett; wife, Eileen Ladd Swett; daughter, Missy Swett of Stanford; and granddaughter, Gracie Swett of Stanford. 

In his spare time, Bob enjoys playing golf.  Also, Bob works part-time at Patriot Petals Florist, in Stanford, as a deliverer.  

Cheryl Yocum Hooper

Ambassador

Cheryl Yocum Hooper grew up in the Kings Mountain community of Lincoln County, Kentucky.  She currently lives in Lancaster, Kentucky.  On July 1, 2021, Cheryl retired from teaching Family & Consumer Science at Garrard County High School, after 32 years of teaching.  She also previously taught at KSD and Rockcastle County High School.  Cheryl’s family includes her son, Nathan Hooper, and daughter-in-law, Kensley Hooper of Stanford, Kentucky.  Cheryl is the daughter of Alvin & Brenda Yocum of Kings Mountain.  Her extended family members are siblings, Tonia Hubble, Johnny Yocum, and Paula Brown.  In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys traveling (especially to the beach), and spending time with her family and friends.

Phillip S. "Phil" Schreyer

Ambassador/Licensed Transporter

Phillip S. "Phil" Schreyer joined the funeral home, as a volunteer, in Fall 2023.  He received his Transport License, from the state, December 2023.  Phil lived many years in Sparta, Tennessee, but moved to Stanford to be closer to his daughter and her family.  

Phil was married to the late Shirley Jean (Rollins) Schreyer, who passed away May 29, 2023.  His family members include one daughter, Gwen Fitzpatrick (Mark) of Stanford; one son, James Schreyer (Jamie) of Grants Pass, Oregon; four grandchildren, Adam Fitzpatrick (Melissa) of Stanford, Rachel Fitzpatrick of Stanford, Phillip Schreyer of Nashville, Tennessee, and Darla Looney of Doyle, Tennessee; four great-grandchildren, Blake Fitzpatrick, Riley Fitzpatrick, Noah Fitzpatrick, and Theo Fitzpatrick.

Phil is a member of Dix River Pentecostal Church, and also volunteers and conducts church services for the Stanford Care & Rehabilitation Center.

Dan Barnett

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Dan Barnett was born and raised in Waynesburg, Kentucky, but has lived in Stanford, Kentucky the past 20+ years. Dan has been in the funeral business since 1975, where he was a former owner.  Dan currently serves as Funeral Director and Embalmer at Fox & Friend Funeral Home in Stanford and Barnett, Demrow & Friend Funeral Home in Waynesburg. His family includes his wife, Jane Noe Barnett, and two children; Gentry Barnett & the late Cassie Barnett. Dan is currently a Broker and Auctioneer for Lincoln Realty & Irvin Group Auction in Stanford. He attends Stanford Presbyterian Church.

Donna Atwood

Ambassador

Donna Atwood has resided in Lincoln County, Kentucky her entire life.  She joined the funeral service business in August 2012.  Her family includes one daughter, Lindsay VonGruenigen Hammond of Arizona; parents, Donald & Shirley Conatser Atwood of Moreland, Kentucky; and her two "grandpuppies" Trixi and Dexter.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, spending time with “her girls”, Jesse, Reese, & Logan Friend, volunteering with her church, cooking, and collecting primitive/country collections.  Donna is a member of Grace Fellowship Church in Stanford, Kentucky.