Staff Directory

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity. 

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. 

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our Valued Staff

Craig K. Kempf, Owner

Craig was born in Marshall to Robert and Beryl Kempf and is a lifelong resident. He graduated from Marshall High School with the class of 1972. He graduated from Kellogg Community College and attended Wayne State University' Mortuary Science Program from where he graduated with Honors in 1975. He earned his Michigan Mortuary Science license in September 1975.

Craig purchased the former Kelser-Farley Funeral Home Aug.1, 1978 and renamed it Craig K.Kempf Funeral Home from where he has served his community. Craig has been a firefighter with Marshall Fire Department since 1975 and serves as a Sergeant. He has been a firefighter for Fredonia Township Fire Department since 1996. He was a charter member of Marshall Firefighters Ambulance Service and later served as the first Board President of the Marshall Firefighters Ambulance Authority. Craig is a member of the Marshall Exchange Club, Zion Lutheran Church, Michigan Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. He is the proud father of daughter Sarah R. Kempf.

Douglas Mills, Funeral Director/Manager

Doug was born in Albion, graduated from Albion High School, Kellogg Community College and Wayne State University. He earned his Mortuary Science License from the State of Michigan in 1982. Doug joined Craig Kempf assisting families in 1986. He and his family attend Family Bible Church. 

Doug is a member of Michigan Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. He has been active in Marshall Recreation programs for many years. Doug and his wife the former Brenda Markovich (also an Albion native) are proud parents of Emily Mills.

Jacob E. Washburn, Funeral Director

Jacob Washburn was born in Marshall. He is the son of Steve and Teresa (Tucker) Washburn. Jacob grew up on the family farm in Fredonia Township and attended Marshall High School where he was active in Marshall Singers and FFA and Calhoun County 4-H. He graduated in 1999 . He attended Kellogg Community College and Worsham College Of Mortuary Science in Chicago from where he graduated. He earned his Michigan Mortuary Science License in April of 2004. Later that year he joined Craig and Doug assisting families. 

Jacob serves as a firefighter on Fredonia Township and Marshall Fire Departments, and is a Michigan Licensed Basic EMT serving with Marshall Firefighters Ambulance Authority. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Michigan Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. Jacob is an active member of Calhoun County Agricultural and Industrial Society and emcees events at the Calhoun County Fair yearly. 

Sarah R. Kempf, Licensed Funeral Director

Sarah was born in Marshall. She is the daughter of Craig K. Kempf and Karen (Chapman) Bischoff. Sarah was a 1995 graduate of Marshall High School. She graduated Cum Laude with an Associate Degree in Human Services from Kellogg Community College as well as graduated Cum Laude from Olivet College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Business Administraton. She also earned a Professional Certificate in Building Strong Families through Michigan State University. 

Sarah has joined her father Craig assisting families in September 2009. Prior to returning to Marshall Sarah has worked in children's psychological care facilities in Arizona and Maryland and in the transportation industry in Maryland. Sarah enjoys travel and hiked through Europe after her Olivet College Graduation. 

Suzette M. Bocanegra, Office Manager

Sue was born in Decatur, Indiana to Don and Louise Bollenbacher. She graduated from Adams Central High School with Honors in Monroe, Indiana. Sue has been a resident of Marshall since 1979. She formerly was Pricing Administrator for the Marshall Felpausch Food Center where she worked for 30 years. She joined Craig assisting families in 1998 as a receptionist and in 2008 took on the full time position of Office Manager. 

Sue is a member of Zion Lutheran Church. She has been a supporter of Marshall athletic programs especially while her sons were playing sports at MHS. She is the proud mother of Ben Ziskal and Jon Ziskal. She enjoys traveling and golf.

Connie M. Sundberg, Administrative Assistant/Bereavement Facilitator

Connie was born in Albion to Leon and Joan Brodock. She is a 1967 graduate of Homer High School. Connie has assisted Craig in serving families since 1985. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Bereavement and a former hospice volunteer. She is responsible for keeping the vital records associated with each family we serve as well as creating different family tributes. She has facilitated the funeral home's Grief Recovery Program, Coping With The Holiday's Class, Annual Picnic and Annual Celebration Of Memories since 1998. 

Connie is the proud mother of Eric (Kris) Sundberg, Tracie (Mike) Gillum and Shane Sundberg and an enthuiastic and involved grandmother to their children. She enjoys family activities.

Bart Cook, Cemetery Monument And Memorials Manager/Funeral Assistant

Bart was born in Marshall to Charles and Dorothy Cook. He is a 1967 graduate of Marshall High School and a lifelong resident. Bart has been active in area athletics since high school and was a referee for football and basketball games . 

Bart retired as the Deputy Director Of Public Services at the City Of Marshall in 2003. That same year he joined Craig assisting families.

Bart is married to Chris (Graichen) Cook. They are the proud parents of their son Kevin who serves in the U.S. Navy in th Nuclear Submarine Service. Bart is an avid golfer. 

Paul Kiessling, Funeral Assistant

Paul is a lifelong area resident. He retired from Lutz John Deere in Ceresco. He served with the Marshall Township Fire Department the majority of his life, with many years as Chief of the Department until he retired at the age of 65. Paul has assisted Craig in serving area families since 1986. He is the proud father of David (Carol) Kiessling, Jeanette (David) Glen, and Robert (Marjorie) Kiessling. Paul was married to Donna who passed away in 2009.

Steve Newman, Funeral Assistant

Steve is a resident of Eckford Township. He is married to Rhonda. Steve retired from Battle Creek Fire Department in 1999 where he served as a firefighter. He joined Craig assisting families in May of 1999.

Glen Yarger, Funeral Assistant

Glen is a resident of Eckford Township. He is married to the former Allison Twist. Glen retired from Battle Creek Fire Department in 1997 where he served as a Lieutenant. Glen joined Craig assisting families in 1998.

Mitch Price, Funeral Assistant

Mitch is a Marshall resident. He retired as a Detective Lieutenant from the Michigan State Police in 1999. Mitch joined Craig assisting families in 1999. He is married to the former Joan Tobalske. 

Warren & Cece Hepler, Funeral Assistants

Cece and Warren are retirees from State Farm. They joined Craig assisting families that year. They work reception times together at the funeral home as well as assist on funeral days.

Robert Lyng, Funeral Assistant

Bob retired from State Farm in 2005. He joined Craig to assist families in 1977. Bob is married to Deb (Flynn) Lyng and is the proud father of Amy and Gayle. 

Daniel Erich Heiderman, Funeral Assistant

Erich is a native of Kent Island, Maryland and moved to Marshall in 2009. He joined Craig assisting families that year. Erich is a student at Kellogg Community College in the Paramedic Program, a member of Marshall Fire Department, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a corpsman with a Marine Corps Platoon during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sandy McAuliffe, Receptionist

Sandy is a retiree of State Farm Insurance Company. She is married to Robert McAuliffe. Sandy joined Craig assisting families in 1998. 

Karen Miller, Receptionist

Karen is an employee of State Farm Insurance. She is married to Craig Miller. Karen joined Craig assisting families in 2006.