Our Staff

My name is Marty Mitchell and I was born in Marshalltown. I

attended Rogers Elementary, Miller Junior High and Marshalltown High

School before receiving my AA and AS degrees from Marshalltown

Community College. After that time, I graduated from Worsham College

of Mortuary Science in Des Plaines, IL. I was employed at the Estel-

Perrin-Avey Funeral Home for 17 years before Sue and I started the funeral home in the fall of 2004.

I was married to Susan (Fisher) from the Garwin area until her passing in September of 2005, after an 18 month battle with breast cancer. We were blessed with two children, Stephanie, who is a nurse at the Marshalltown Hospital and Myles who is self-employed in cleaning services. Stephanie gave me a granddaughter, Haley. My parents still live in Marshalltown and my sister in Baxter. I am truly blessed with having a great partner in life, Stacey Badger, who has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to caring for veterans and spouses at IVH. We like to travel and share the love of animals.

Being a part of the community is a privilege and honor. Currently, I serve as president of the Riverside Cemetery Board, president of the Marshalltown Senior Citizens, board of Quakerdale Family Services and have served on the Iowa Board of Mortuary Science under three governors.

Funeral service is truly the only career I have ever wanted to be a part of and I still wake up wanting to do it every day. Some days are tougher and nothing makes you immune to the heartache people go through, especially the deaths of children, but I am honored to be alongside those who grieve.

Shannon has been a member of the Mitchell family- twice. Once before he attended DMACC in Ankeny for mortuary science and the second time was following his internship in Maquoketa for Randy Lahey. He is a graduate of East Marshall High School. Shannon is a loving husband, father, and grandfather and enjoys time with his kids and grandkids and riding motorcycles.

Shannon is in charge of our decedent care. He is responsible for ethical and professional treatment of all who enter our care. It is the foundation of our business to care for those who have left this earthly life.

Rich Green was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating from North High School in Des Moines in 1998. He was in the business field for 10 years before realizing his true passion was to help people. Rich became a Tissue Recovery Coordinator with the Iowa Donor Network, and then went on to DMACC to get his degree to be a Funeral Director. Rich completed his Internship with Mitchell Family Funeral Home and as of August of 2013 he became a Licensed Funeral Director. Rich also obtained his Insurance License in September of 2013 and helps take care of the pre-need funeral arrangements. He feels very much honored to work at Mitchell Family Funeral home and enjoys serving the Marshall County communities. Rich and his wife, Ali (Kjormoe), a native of Marshalltown, live in Ankeny with their son, Brecken and dog Sully. In his spare time, Rich enjoys watching sports, whether it is the Atlanta Falcons or the Cyclones and enjoys video games and LEGO. Rich is a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. He and his wife are also involved in the Animal Rescue League Foster Care program and open their home to animals in need.

Jordan is a Marshalltown native. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 2012 and continued his education at Des Moines Area Community College graduating with an Associates of Arts Degree is 2014 and completing the Mortuary Science Program in 2017. In 2019, Jordan returned home and began working at Mitchell Family Funeral Home as a Funeral Director Intern and became a licensed director in June 2019. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his family and friends, attend live shows and concerts, and travel when he is able to do so.

Luis is originally from Palmview, Texas and graduated in 1996 from La Joya High School. He obtained his Associate’s Degree from Marshalltown Community College and attended mortuary school at DMACC, Ankeny campus. Luis has lived in the Marshalltown area since 2006 with his wife and three children. He is bilingual and considers it an honor to be able to help all families that he comes in contact with. In his free time Luis enjoys working out, grilling, and watching sports.

MacKenze Smith was born in Marshalltown and grew up in Tama. She graduated from South Tama High School and Marshalltown Community College in 2018. She went onto DMACC in Ankeny for Mortuary School, graduating in 2019. Kenze has served families in the Urbandale, Ames and Boone areas, before joining the family at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in April of 2024. In her free time, Kenze enjoys time with her family and friends, traveling, and going racing.

Lauren was born and raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa, graduating from Cedar Falls High School in 2005. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Iowa, worked several years in the insurance industry, and has called Marshalltown home since 2012. Lauren lives with her fiancé Austin, two sons, Jack and Camden, and their two fur-babies: a miniature bulldog, Iggy and a schnoodle, Pippa. She joined our staff May of 2020 to work alongside the directors as a liaison for the families we serve. She is very passionate about making people feel welcome and known, as well as showing compassion and kindness during their most difficult times. She is also a licensed pre-need agent and helps many families gain peace of mind from planning ahead. When Lauren isn’t busy with her sons’ many sporting events, practices and school activities, she enjoys being outdoors, cooking, reading, exercising, watching movies and listening to music. She also loves traveling, meeting new people and attending live music events. Her favorite part about working at Mitchell Family Funeral Home is serving the community in a unique way and providing comfort and peace during difficult times. She also appreciates that her coworkers have become like family over the years.

Britt was born and raised in Gladbrook, IA and continues to

reside there today with my significant other, James and his two

children. I graduated from Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School in

2012 and then attended college at Kaplan University in Cedar

Falls, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.  In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, spending time with my family, friends and my dogs. I joined Mitchell Family Funeral Home in February of 2020 with a personal understanding of loss and grief after losing my own dad in 2013. My desire is to always provide comfort and compassion to those families we serve in their time of loss. One thing I really enjoy about working at Mitchell Family Funeral Home is that we are our own little family within the funeral home and our coworkers turn into family.

Karen Shipley-Cooper lives in Marshalltown with her husband, John, and is a very active part of our community. After being employed by Fisher Controls for over 35 years, Karen spends much of her time volunteering with many organizations including the United Way, Iowa River Hospice, Optimists, Quakerdale and First Friends Church. Karen is currently the Chapter Leader for the Marshalltown Compassionate Friends.

My name is Carissa Bryant, and I have been part of the Mitchell Family Funeral Home family since February of 2022. What I love most about my job is getting to know each and every family personally; especially through experiencing the story of their lives in the slideshows that we create.

I am the lucky daughter of two wonderful parents whom grew up in this area; Mick Bryant and Anita Hensley. I am also the proud mother of two wonderful children; Esmond and Scarlett Merry. They definitely keep me on my toes as well as all of my furry friends at home do. In the vast amount of free time that I have, I enjoy woodworking and any creative outlet that allows me to use my artistic skills.

I've always had a deep love for traveling which started at a young age, but mostly when I had the pleasure of living in a van with my sister Angela. We traveled into Canada and journeyed the east coast for a summer before I attended the University of Northern Iowa. I also have had the great opportunity of living in San Diego and Portland, Oregon as well as studying abroad in Antigua, Guatemala and living and teaching in Cordoba, Argentina.

Brenda (Kellogg) Davis was born in Marshalltown and grew up in Garwin. I am married to Jeff and we have a daughter, Jaime.

I was in the child care profession for 23 years before joining the MFFH Staff in August of 2005. I work as both office and support staff.

Serving each family as if they were my own, I feel honored to be a part of the MFFH Team. I enjoy photography and assisting families with

photographic memorials. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, camping and making new memories with my family.

Breauna Doland was born in Des Moines and grew up in Oskaloosa. She graduated early from Norwalk High School in 2019, but moved to the Marshalltown area a few years later to be closer to her family. She is currently a student at Marshalltown Community College, where she’s getting an associates degree in general studies. After graduation, she plans on going to DMACC to pursue a degree in Mortuary Science. Bre lives in the “big city” of Liscomb, where she spends her free time reading or with family. She’s been working at Mitchell’s since 2023 and is very grateful to be learning the ins and outs of the business and helping families.

Al Frank and his wife, Tricia, moved to Conrad in early 2019. Retiring from over 40 years of pastoral ministry, they wanted to be closer to family. He grew up in a Nazarene parsonage and is an alumni of Point Loma Nazarene College. Al was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene, ending his ministry the last 14 years

pastoring in the Brethren in Christ Church. In his retirement he continued to minister when called upon. In 2022, he accepted a call from Clutier Community Church to be their pastor, where he continues to serve. His humor and compassion endears him to those he ministers to. He is a servant leader who enjoys working with people and counts it a privilege to be part of the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Al & Tricia have three sons, daughter-in-laws, 9 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren…so far!

I am retired and play piano for services at New Horizons United Methodist Church in Melbourne. I worked in healthcare for many years. Working at Mitchells is rewarding- I enjoy helping families and helping my co-workers. My husband is Bill Crane and together we have 5 children and 17 grandchildren.

I grew up in Union, Ia. After graduating from MCC with my LPN degree I retired from the Iowa Veteran Home after serving our Veterans for 30 years. I have 2 daughters and 2 sons-in-law and 5 grandsons. I keep busy with my family, friends and shopping.

Resident of Marshalltown. I have three kids and seven grandchildren. My hobbies include water walking and water aerobics, exercising at the E-Gym at the Y, traveling, study clubs and doing volunteer work. I worked as a lab receptionist and a transcriptionist for mental health and podiatry.

I was born and raised in the Fort Dodge Area. I married Joseph Hughlette in 1970. I love spending time with my husband, two children, and five grandchildren. I retired from JBS in Marshalltown in 2015, having worked in Human Resources Department. I enjoy laughing and making others laugh as well as meeting new people and shopping.

Daniel was born in Los Angeles, California. He is a 2020 graduate of Marshalltown High School and has worked for Mitchell Family Funeral Home since 2022. Daniel is happy to call Marshalltown home, where he lives with his parents and two siblings. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and taking care of his dogs.

I was born and raised here in Marshalltown and have lived the last 20 years near Melbourne. I have 5 kids, three daughters and two sons with 11 grandchildren. They live from Illinois to California giving me lots of vacation time. My family is my life and I love them all and they know it. I've worked the last 45 years in EMS as a Paramedic, first starting with Marshalltown Ambulance then ending with Mercy Hospital Ambulance Service. I have always enjoyed being able to help people and working here at Mitchells Family Funeral Home gives me the opportunity to help the family.

Dave is a 1985 graduate of MHS. In September of 1990, he

married his wife Charlotte and they have 3 children, 2

grandchildren and 2 toy poodles. Dave has been in pastoral

ministry for 36 years and is pastoring at his home church, Faith

Assembly in Marshalltown. Dave and his wife love spending time with their family and spending time by the ocean. He also enjoys playing golf, rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes and collecting golf, Disney, Vikings, Twins and Charlie Brown memorabilia. He loves working at the funeral home, helping families in need and doing clergy work for those without pastors.

Debbie Wegman, daughter of Ed and Carmen Kunkel, was born and raised in Marshalltown. She attended the Catholic School system throughout her early life and later worked at the schools while her children were enrolled there. She has 2 daughters. Lori and her 3 children live in Ankeny and Becky lives in Colorado Springs. Debbie was the billing manager for 2 local companies until her retirement. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and crafting with her girls and card making with her sister.

Debbie has been with Mitchell Funeral Home since March of 2024 and appreciates the opportunity to help people in their time of need. She has made many new friends while working at Mitchells and met again many past friends she has made during her life in Marshalltown.

Dillon was born and raised in Jonesboro, AR, graduating in

2011 from Jonesboro High School. Dillon has served in pastoral ministry since 2014 and moved to Marshalltown, IA in 2021 to continue in ministry. Dillon has been happily married for 10 years to his wife Karalee, they have two children; Rylee and Madilyn. He is passionate about being a light into this world by sharing the hope and love from Jesus Christ with everyone he meets. He enjoys spending quality time with his family, traveling, being outdoors, and hiking.

Doloris moved to Marshalltown in 1998, three years after her husband Charlie passed away. She worked in retail for 30 years and the most rewarding part of that was meeting people. Her family consists of two sons, a daughter, two grandsons, two granddaughters, two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters. Her family means the world to her.

Doug and Julie Riley have dedicated their lives to State Center and are actively engaged in their community. The couple had busy work careers, working out of town and owning businesses in town, but are now retired. Currently, they are part of the State Center Development Association and plan events for Main Street.

The couple has three grown children that live in Arizona, Illinois, and North Carolina, and they enjoy traveling to see them and their grandchildren.

They both attend New Hope Christian Church and participate in many outreach activities. Doug and Julie also share a strong passion for helping others.

Gary Shirk, son of Dale and Gladys Shirk, was born and raised in the Albion and Marshalltown area and married to Kay Hurtt in 1967. They raised two children, Jason and Damie and have seven grandchildren as well as seven great grandchildren.

I worked for Fisher Controls for 31 years, Walt Disney World for 7 years and Marquart Concrete Products for 6 years. After retiring from full time employment, I felt very fortunate to start work part time at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in 2009, where I help families and their loved ones in their time of need.

Jackie Gray grew up in Albion, Iowa. She graduated from Marshalltown High School and then UNI with a Masters degree of Education. She married David Gray of Bangor and they raised two children. She worked 33 years in public education in Des Moines Public Schools and the AEA. She began working for Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Her passions are finding treasures and spending time with family and friends.

Jeff Davis was born and raised in Marshalltown. I am married to Brenda and we have a daughter, Jaime.

I work full time for the MCSD and joined the MFFH Staff in August of 2005. I work as support staff.

Serving each family as if they were my own, I feel honored to be a part of the MFFH Team. I enjoy deer hunting, trout and salmon fishing, camping and the outdoors.

Doug and Julie Riley, long-time residents of State Center, assist Mitchell Family Funeral Home with visitations and services held at the well-equipped West Marshall Chapel located on Historic Main Street in State Center. Doug is currently employed at Burke Marketing in Nevada and plans to retire at year end. Julie is employed full time at Central State Bank as Accounting Manager. They have three children and seven grandchildren. They like baseball, golfing, bike riding and playing with their grandchildren.

Michelle was raised in Marshalltown. She graduated from East Marshall in 2001. After graduation, Michelle started her career at the Iowa Veterans Home. While working at IVH, Michelle pursued her nursing career. She graduated from Kaplan University with her nursing degree. Michelle continues to serve our Veterans and their families with 22 years of service.

Michelle and her husband, Jay, have 5 children together, MacKenze, Kyler, Logan, Rilea and Tucker. We also have a loving ShiPoo, Nash. Michelle joined our MFFH family in 2022 and loves every minute of it. It is more rewarding than anything when you can help a family. It is an absolute honor serving our families and community.

In her free time, our family loves to go dirt track racing, traveling to warm places, and spending time with family and friends.

I was born and raised in Iowa. I moved to California and lived in Sacramento for 13 years before moving back to Iowa in 2022 and currently live in Ames. I love history and thoroughly enjoy funeral history. In my spare time I enjoy photography, checking out antiques and taking my dog Gord on drives.

Nic has been employed at Mitchell Family Funeral Home since June 2015 and is the current crematory operator. He has his wife Ginna and four sons, Myles, Kade, Eli and Henry. In free time, Nic enjoys fishing, hiking and playing guitar.

I enjoy traveling with my family and spending time with my sisters in Missouri and Nebraska. I am active in my church and love to cook for family and friends. I love shopping at thrift stores. I feel it’s an honor to work at Mitchell’s with their staff.

Resident of Marshalltown. I have three children and two grandchildren. My hobbies include walking, golf, hunting, traveling and exercising at the E-Gym (Electronic) at the Y. I worked for many years in the county road department.

Travis Branon was born and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa. Travis started doing construction his junior year of high school. After graduating in 2007 at Marshalltown High, he continued his journey in carpentry and maintenance for the next twenty years.

Travis is honored to dedicate himself to Mitchell Family Funeral Home as our maintenance man.

Travis loves spending time with his family, fishing and being outdoors. He lives in Liscomb with his wife. He has three kids and a granddaughter, and a wonderful zest for life.

1949-2021

1960-2023

1951-2024

1948-2025