Our Staff

Mandi Ketcham is the general manager.  Since joining our company more than seven years ago, Mandi has worked in various roles.  She began working at this location part-time while studying in the mortuary science program at KCKCC.  After graduation in 2004, she served her apprenticeship and became a licensed funeral director.  Soon after, she was promoted to assistant manager and recently accepted the role of general manager.  Raised in Iowa, Mandi has lived in the Kansas City Area for the past eight years.  She is recently engaged and will be married later this year. 

 

Kati Farney has been with the company for almost 7 years and has worked in various roles.  She began working at our Johnson County location part-time while studying in Mortuary College, served as an apprentice, an administrative assistant, a licensed funeral director, and is currently the Assistant Manager.  Raised in Red Cloud, Nebraska, she moved to the Kansas City area to obtain her degree in Mortuary Science.  Kati is currently living in the Olathe area and is married and has 5 children ranging in ages from 9 to 2. 

 

 

 Michelle Parks is one of our funeral arrangers. She was born and raised in Schuyler, Nebraska.  Michelle received her Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Science with a Minor in Human Services from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE.  She moved to the Kansas City area to obtain a Degree in Mortuary Science. She has been with D.W. Newcomer’s Sons for 18 years, previously working at the Overland Park Chapel for 17 years before joining the Johnson County Chapel one year ago. Michelle is married, has one child and lives in the Prairie Village area.

 

 

Sherry Padilla is also a licensed funeral arranger with the Johnson County Chapel.  She has been with D.W. Newcomer’s Sons since 2005.  Previously, she worked at our Floral Hills location and has been with the Johnson County Chapel since June of 2009.  Sherry was born and raised in the Kansas City area.  She is a country girl and lives on a farm in Louisburg, KS.  She is an animal lover and has six dogs and two cats, but Sherry is most proud of her beautiful daughter, Nichole.  She makes a great addition to our funeral arranger team. 

 

Aaron LaDuke is the newest addition to our team.  He recently completed his apprenticeship and is now a licensed funeral arranger.  He has held numerous roles in the funeral home industry since 2006, and obtained his degree in Mortuary Science from KCKCC.  His compassion and ability to present extensive information in a manageable format provides great support.  Aaron was raised as a farm boy in Oneida, IL and has lived in Lawrence, KS since 2004.  He has two loving and energetic kids, enjoys playing softball and soccer, and coaching his daughter's soccer team.  We are proud to have him as part of our team.