About Eagle Funeral Homes
Our History
In 1982, John Barrett, son-in-law of Joe Eagle entered the family business. He along with wife, Jill resided at the Eagle Funeral Home in Jonesville. In 1986 Mr. Eagle purchased the Fink Funeral Home in Morenci and named that funeral chapel the Eagle Funeral Home- Charles Fink Chapel.
In 1994, Mark Monahan, also a son-in-law of Joe entered the family business. Together with his wife, Jana resided at the chapel in Hudson. Mr. Eagle with sons-in-law, John Barrett and Mark Monahan provided care and support to families in the Hillsdale and Lenawee counties from the funeral chapels established in Waldron, Hudson, Hillsdale, Jonesville and Morenci, Michigan. Mr. Eagle sold the business to John Barrett and Mark Monahan in 1999. They were the 3rd generation of family to own the Eagle Funeral Homes.
Joe Eagle
In 2001, John and Mark purchased the Eagle Funeral Home-Barrett Chapel in Fayette, Ohio. John & Mark, along with a very capable and caring staff operated the 6 locations for the next 12 years.
In 2010, John and Mark had the opportunity to combine their family owned business with another established and respected family business, the George White Funeral Homes. Former owners, Jim White and Nancy Travis continue today to be a valuable part of the staff at Eagle Funeral Homes-George White Chapels in Litchfield, Reading and Quincy, Michigan.
experienced staff, provide compassionate care and support to families when death occurs.
Eagle Funeral Home Staff
Personalized, caring service is what Eagle Funeral Homes has specialized in since our founding in 1933. We offer guidance and support in the communities where we live when some of the most difficult family decisions have to be made. Here are some of the people who will be assisting you with those important decisions.
John Barrett: President
John primarily serves the Hillsdale and Jonesville communities but also assists at all locations.
John started in the business in 1978 while working part time and attending Hillsdale College. After graduating from Hillsdale College in 1981 he married Jill (Eagle) and moved to Cincinnati to attend Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. After graduation from mortuary college he and Jill moved back to Jonesville and started a family that includes three children; Emily Osborne, a Michigan State University graduate currently residing in Livonia with her husband, Terry; Abbie, a Michigan State University graduate currently attending Central Michigan University studying for her PhD in School Psychology; and Brian, currently attending Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he plans on joining the Eagle Funeral Home staff after graduation. John is a member of the Hillsdale Elks Club, Jonesville Rotary Club, Hillsdale County Community Foundation, Hillsdale Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, and is involved in the I Care program in Jonesville. John also serves on the Board of Directors of County National Bank. John and the rest of his family attend St. Anthony Catholic Church. He enjoys playing cards, camping, and golfing with his son.
Mark Monahan: Vice-President
Mark serves the Hudson, Waldron, Morenci and Fayette communities but also assists at all locations.
Mark grew up on a family operated dairy farm south of Hudson. He graduated from Hudson High School, then went on to Michigan State University where he earned his B.S. degree in Packaging Engineering. He received his Mortuary Science degree from Wayne State University. He was employed with United Parcel Service for twelve years prior to joining the Eagle Funeral Home staff in 1994. Mark is married to Jana (Eagle) and they have four children; David (Denise), a Siena Heights College graduate employed at UPS, Alyson, a junior attending Mercy College majoring in nursing, Johnathan residing in Hudson and attending Jackson Community College, and Ashley, a junior attending Hudson High School. Mark and his family are members of Sacred Heart Church. His hobbies include golfing, coaching, and outdoor activities with his family. He also enjoys watching his daughter play sports which include basketball, volleyball & softball.
Don Jewell: Funeral Director
Don serves the Hillsdale and Jonesville communities.
Don is a fourth generation funeral director and former owner of the Jewell Funeral Home in Sandusky, Michigan. He attended Central Michigan University and graduated from Wayne State University's Department of Mortuary Science in 1971. Don and his wife, Mary Jo, reside in Hillsdale. They have four children; Jennifer, an ultra sound technician in Sandusky, Michigan; Chris, a group manager for Case New Holland in Naperville, Illinois; Ben, a middle school science teacher who received the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, teaching in Hudsonville, Michigan; and Kathy, a neonatal intensive care nurse in Grand Rapids. All four of their children are married with families of their own accounting for a total of 10 grandchildren. Don is a board member for Hospice of Hillsdale County. Don & Mary Jo attend St. Anthony Catholic Church. Don enjoys sharing time with his family, computer technology, boating and traveling.
Shea Dow: Funeral Director
Shea primarily serves the Hillsdale and Jonesville communities but also assists at all locations.
Shea grew up in Jonesville and graduated from Jonesville High School in 2004, then went on to Michigan State University where he earned his B.A. degree in Supply Chain Management. He received his Mortuary Science degree from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2009. Shea started in the business in the summer of 2007 while attending Michigan State University. He is a board member of Hillsdale Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness and is a member of the Jonesville First Presbyterian Church. Shea resides at the Jonesville funeral home and is engaged to Heather Taylor of Homer. Shea is the son of Scott and Sharon Dow of Jonesville.
Marvin Shull: Funeral Service Coordinator
Serving the Hillsdale and Jonesville communities.
Marv started with Van Horn-Eagle Funeral Home in 1960. He grew up in the Hillsdale County area and is a graduate of Camden-Frontier High School. Marv lives in Hillsdale with his wife, Sue. They have three children and nine grandchildren. He is a member of the Hillsdale Free Methodist Church. He enjoys traveling, sports and spending time with his family.
Tony Marry: Advanced Funeral Planning Specialist
Assists at the Hudson, Waldron, Morenci, & Fayette locations
Tony was born and raised in the Hudson area and graduated from Hudson High School Class of 1968. He started a career in banking in 1968 with Hudson State Savings Bank, later Bank of Lenawee, and retired after 40 years in 2008. Tony and his wife, Linda, have 3 children, Andy (Melinda) Marry of Hudson, Emily (Craig) Young of Hillsdale, and Matthew Marry Blacksburg, VA. They enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren, Drew and Austin Marry, and Brody and Connor Young. The Marry's are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where Tony is a Eucharist minister and Minister of the cup, and he is also a member of the Hudson Knights of Columbus and the Irish Hills 4th Degree. Tony enjoys spending time getting to know the families he meets.
Neil Hinkley: Funeral Service Coordinator
Serving the Morenci, Fayette, Hudson and Waldron communities.
Neil is a native of Hillsdale County being raised in Wright Township, near Waldron. He started in the funeral business in September of 1987, shortly after Mr. Eagle purchased the funeral home in Morenci. Neil handles the day to day operations for the Morenci funeral home and he also helps at all of our other locations. Neil lives near Morenci. He enjoys all types of sports.
Jason Ferguson: Funeral Service Coordinator
Serving the Fayette, Morenci, Hudson and Waldron communities.
Jason is a life-long resident of Fayette. He graduated from Gorham Fayette High School in 2004 and started employment with Eagle Funeral Homes in September of 2004. He is currently enrolled at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Jason and his wife, Lindsey, as well as their two children, Caleb and Carly, reside at our Fayette home. The Ferguson family are members of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Fayette.
William Van Valkenburg: Funeral Service Assistant
Serving the Fayette, Morenci, Hudson and Waldron communities.
Bill grew up on a dairy farm north of Morenci and graduated from Morenci High School in 1969. He graduated from what is now called Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was ordained as a pastor on March 1, 1975. Since then has been involved in local church ministry. Bill was instrumental in organizing the Morenci Education Foundation and was recently recognized with a Morenci High School Distinguished Alumni award. He and his wife, Rosalyn, have three sons; Billy (Crystal) and TJ (Lydia) of Portsmouth, VA, and Andy (Desiree') of Hudson, Michigan. The real joy of their lives are their four grandsons: Austin, Raymond, Little Billy, and Leighton.
Kenneth V. Hale
Serving Litchfield, Reading and Quincy communities
Ken grew up in Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1998. He also graduated from Baker College in 2001, Kellogg Community College in 2010 and is currently enrolled at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He has one son, Kenton, age 8.
James White
Serving Litchfield, Reading and Quincy communities
Jim grew up in Detroit and moved to Litchfield in 1968 when his parents purchased the George White Funeral Home. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1974, Jackson Community College and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He is married to Janis (Krohn) and they have 3 children, Stephanie, Kelly and Alex.
Nancy Travis
Serving the Litchfield, Reading and Quincy communities.
Nancy grew up in Detroit and moved to Litchfield in 1968 when her parents purchased the George White Funeral Home. She graduated from Litchfield high school in 1969 and from Albion College in 1973 with a degree in Psychology. She decided to join the family business and graduated from Wayne State University's Department of Mortuary Science in 1975. In 1976 the White's expanded their family business to Reading, and Nancy resided at the funeral home for over 20 years. She currently lives in Litchfield and enjoys working, cooking, and traveling.
Alan Fenstermaker
Serving the Reading community
As a graduate of Reading High School in 1964, Alan has served the Reading community and surrounding areas for almost 20 years with the George White Funeral Homes. Having been a former pastor in Georgia, this career has been an opportunity to encourage people in their time of need. Married to Judy for 40 years, they have 3 children, Jessica, Joshua, and Angela. With their spouses, Steve, Tennille, and Jason, these unions have produced 9 grandchildren ranging from 1-1/2 to 13 years of age. Alan has been a member of Cambria Baptist Church for over 30 years and has served in various capacities, especially as Commander of the AWANA youth program for 23 years. During these years, he has seen much growth in preparing leaders for tomorrow.