Page A14 september 2023 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Section A www.vischerfuneralsupplies.com AMRA INSTRUMENTS Researched, Developed and Patented by Funeral Directors Research,Inc. visit www.amrainstruments.com for links to our Supply Chain Partners ™ ® My family and I recently went on vacation to the gorgeous Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was content fishing for walleye and perch in the sparkling, cool waters, but my wife wanted to go to Mackinaw and to visit Mackinac Island. I love the history there, and I think there’s a lot to be learned as a funeral director and business owner. I tend to be hard to impress when it comes to the attention to detail given by other businesses, but Shepler’s Ferry Service did just that. It’s important to know a little bit about the history of Shepler’s. In the spring of 1945, Captain William H. Shepler opened a snack bar for passengers waiting for the ferry, but he soon realized that there was a definite need for a better ferry service. He decided to start a charter service that was fast, efficient, and modern that would enhance the Mackinac Island experience. He was quickly able to buy out a competitor and his son, Bill Jr., joined as a pilot. At the end of WWII in 1945, there was an increase in passengers to the Island, so the family built a 30foot cabin cruiser with twin gas engines for speed and safety and an enclosed cabin for inclement weather. Throughout the years, Shepler’s continued to improve, forever thinking of high-quality service for their guests. They added docks, a freight service, and more boats that were bigger, faster, and maintained the high standards set by Capt. William in 1945. Shepler’s is now on their third generation with Bill’s three children – Chris, Patty, and Billy – assuming the roles as leaders of the company. By Jon O’Hara, CEO, Great Lakes Partnership Why is this important? Shepler’s has honed in on three things that have ensured their success: value, modern equipment, and a friendly staff. From the parking lot to the time on the boat, you are ensured a pleasant, enjoyable experience. There’s not a piece of trash anywhere. There are tents covering the boarding areas to keep patrons dry in rain and cool on sunny days. The staff is dressed neatly and provide service with a smile. Shepler’s is also supporting other local businesses and putting money back into Michigan’s economy. All for a 16-minute ferry ride. There are other options available to get to Mackinac Island. But I noticed the ferries were a little rusted and they moved slower. When he started this business, Captain Shepler decided to elevate the experience because what was being offered at the time was subpar service. Then they kept elevating it. It’s a lot like funeral service. It’s what great looks like when I walk into a funeral home - clean parking lot, staff smiling and opening the doors, that attention to detail that makes the experience better than the alternatives. And perhaps there are other options that are cheaper, but you know you’re going to spend money when you go into a funeral home. But families are willing to pay more if they know they’re getting cared for. Sure, a 16-minute ferry ride is not the same as losing someone you love. But it’s a well-oiled machine that kept their value and commitment as they grew. Their foundation never changed. And that’s what you need to consider while growing your funeral home. As a profession, we’re going through a lot of changes, Critical Thinking: The Evolution of the Funeral Profession but people will always appreciate great service, which is defined by your community. Little things add up to the big things. You must stay true to your foundations while evolving with the times. Value, modern equipment, and a friendly staff are all necessary - just like at Shepler’s. You can learn a lot from other local businesses in your area. Look at who is contributing to the community and succeeding the right way. Shepler’s just happened to be my ah-ha moment on vacation. Follow that local business that really sets you on fire in terms of service. I certainly learned a lot on a 16-minute ferry ride. An Ah-Ha Moment on Vacation FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.NomisPublications.com Monthly Columnsonline at Jon O’Hara is a forward thinking funeral director & CEO of the Great Lakes Family of Companies. Jon is a first generation funeral director and in addition to working as a funeral director, he has also worked for Aurora Casket Company, Tributes.com, and The Outlook Group. He founded Great Lakes Partnership in 2018, which has grown from solely a pre-need marketing organization to a strategic consulting partner for funeral homes. He is also currently building his first funeral home location in Chesterfield Twp, MI. He lives in the Detroit area with his wife, Michelle, two sons, Henry and Teddy, and Labradoodles Sydney and Annie. Contact Jon O’Hara at 586-636-6611 or johara@greatlakespartnership.com. Milestone Funeral Partners Hires Vice President of Operations, Brian Coffta Brian Coffta AUBURN,ME— Milestone Funeral Partners, LLC, the owner and operator of 27 funeral and crematory firms across the Northeast proudly announced that Brian Coffta, has joined their senior leadership team. Brian, a 25 year veteran of the funeral industry will serve as the company’s first ever, vice president of operations. In his role Brian will use his development and leadership skills working directly with operational field partners, and incoming newly acquired firms. CEO Mike Martel added, “With Milestone’s unprecedented growth, this is an exciting development for TJ, Seb and I to add a talented leader like Brian to our team. He’s a man of integrity and also a friend. We couldn’t be happier to have him join us.” A graduate of SUNY Canton, Brian began his career in his native Western New York before settling down in Maine over 20 years ago. Brian has dedicated himself to the funeral service profession and has worked to be a leader in the profession he loves. He has had the opportunity to work in both the private and corporate environments of SCI and Carriage Funeral Services in the Greater New England area and New York. Brian appreciates the opportunity to share with and learn from others. He believes in a collaborative team approach and enjoys empowering others to be the very best they can be through leadership, support, and kindness. Currently, Brian sits on the MFDA board of directors and over the years he has held positions on local school boards, development committees and civic organizations. Along with his wife and son they have made the woods of Southern Maine their home. Together they enjoy sailing, fishing, and a nice campfire under a starlight sky. Milestone Partners is a privately owned, equity funded funeral, cemetery, and crematory company specializing in suburban and mid-sized rural markets, with over 27 partner firms across the Northeast. Milestone provides owners considering succession, retirement, or recapitalization with numerous flexible equity options due to their private equity backed structure. The company also supports local charities as well as its own philanthropies including funds supporting small historical cemeteries, and its own student-intern scholarships. For more information, visit www.milestonefuneralpartners.com, or find them on Facebook or LinkedIn. @Nomis.Publications Like us on Like Three Funeral Service Veterans Join Anthem Partners Continued on page A15 FRISCO,TX— Anthem Partners, a premier operator of funeral homes and cemeteries, is pleased to announce that Kevin Krizak, Dewey Akers, and Dave Sullivan have joined the organization. Krizak will be vice president of sales and lead the sales organization for Anthem’s United States-based funeral home and cemetery locations. Akers has assumed the role of vice president of cemetery operations throughout the Anthem network and is responsible for the overall operations of the cemetery properties. Sullivan will serve Anthem in a senior advisor role, providing insights and strategic counsel to Anthem’s executive team. “I am excited to augment our already experienced executive team with these three individuals. Kevin, Dewey, and Dave each bring a wealth of talent and experience to the Anthem organization,” stated Will Andrews, president of Anthem Partners-United States. “Their deep and multi-faceted backgrounds in funeral service will serve them well in their new roles and benefit our com-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Nzg4MQ==