Our Staff

John F. Maier

Owner

Martha E. Maier

Owner

Jordan Duncan

As lead funeral director and operations manager, Jordan manages all daily operations of the funeral home including financial planning, scheduling, marketing initiatives, and vendor relations. He also provides family counseling services throughout the entire funeral arrangement process.

Eric Ellsperman

Funeral Director

Craig Racster

Funeral Director

Les Schmitt

Funeral Director

Bethany Shipp

Office Manager

As office manager, Bethany manages the daily organization and operation of the front office and serves in a supportive role to the funeral directors and the families they serve.

Bethany is from Indianapolis, IN. She was in the 1998 graduating class at Eagledale Christian School, now Crosspointe Christian Academy, and after moving to Murfreesboro, TN, graduated from Franklin Road Christian School. Bethany earned her Associate’s Degree in Office Administration Services Technology from Washington State Community College in Marietta, OH, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, WV. With over 20 years office experience in various office settings, Bethany thoroughly enjoys working for Boone Funeral Home and loves how every day is rewarding and fulfilling in this unique ministry.

In 2002, Bethany married her college sweetheart, Dan, and they have one son, Eric. She loves spending time with her family, singing at her church and with her family, listening to music, cooking, watching movies, traveling, and watching her son’s football and basketball games.

Diane Ice

Administrative

As a part of the Administrative Team, Diane serves in a supportive role to both the Funeral Directors and
families served.

Diane spent over 20 years in the social service field, including work within Hospice and Cancer Support
as a Licensed Social Worker and Bereavement Counselor. Diane received her Bachelor’s and Master’s
Degree in Social Work from University of Southern Indiana.

After losing her father at a young age, Diane hopes to provide others with the same care and
compassion shown to her after her loss.

Diane is the mother of 2 sons, Noah and Landon. She enjoys time outdoors with her boys, outreach
within the community, and spending time with extended family. She worships at Christian Fellowship Church.

Robyn Gates

Administrative

Kelly M. (Maier) Al-Nashmi

Administrative

As part of the administrative team, Kelly serves in a supportive role to both the funeral directors and families served. Kelly also does special projects as suggested by the administration.

Kelly’s background is in early childhood education. She owned and operated her own preschool business for over 20 years in Saudi Arabia where she lived with her husband and four children. Kelly has an under graduate degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Southern Indiana and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana State University in Terre Haute. She currently tutors the ECE students and is an adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech Community College.

Kelly enjoys working in the funeral home since she grew up in the business. She loves to volunteer in her community. Kelly is currently the Treasurer of the United Neighborhoods of Evansville and represents UNOE on the Governance Board for the Promise Zone.  

In her spare time, she likes to travel, piece quilt tops together, and spend time with her family. 

Roger Seaton

Staff

Roger was born in Evansville, IN and has lived in Cynthiana, IN since 1975. He graduated from North High School in 1969 and attended University of Southern Indiana. Roger served in the Indiana National Guard from 1970-1976.

Roger Seaton joined the maintenance team at Boone in 2002 after retiring from United Parcel Service.

Roger is married to Debra. They have four sons, Jeff (Michelle), Chad (Angie), Ryan (Krista), and Chris (Ashley) and nine grandchildren whom they adore. His interests are Auto Racing and Southern Gospel Music, and his favorite pastime is building model cars.

Richard Burek

Staff

Richard has been working at Boone since 2012. His job as a Funeral Professional is to line cars up for the procession to the cemetery and to drive the limo for the family. When not working funerals, he does maintenance around the funeral home.

Richard is a woodworker and has done several projects around the funeral home. He enjoys his work and thinks of his coworkers as one big family. He prays on a daily basis for all the families he serves at Boone.

Richard married to his wonderful wife, Nancy, in 1965. They have three children and six grandchildren.

Randy Damm

Staff

Randy joined the Maintenance team October of 2016.

Randy is happily married to Barbara. He is a retired Evansville Firefighter with twenty-nine years of service. He is a Veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm serving in the United States Navy and the Unites States Army with twenty-two years of service.

Mike Wright

Staff

Louise Denton

Staff

Bob Steckler

Staff

Norman Montgomery

Staff

Sandy Oldham

Staff

Barbara Tolley

Staff

Lesley Dettmer

Staff

Connor Phillips

Staff

Dan Shipp

Staff

Bill Seits

December 7, 1956 - March 26, 2019

William L. “Bill” Seits, 62, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Bill was born on December 7, 1956 in Logansport, IN, to Leighton “Jake” Seits and Emma (Lindzy) Seits. He graduated from Bosse High School in 1974 and Indiana University in 1980. Bill was the head of the Family Services Department at Boone Funeral Home for over 17 years.

As an IU alumnus, he was an avid IU basketball fan. Bill was a loving father and brother, and an animal lover, especially dogs. As a devout follower of Christ, he led several small groups at Crossroads Christian Church, including Grief Share. Bill was a member of City Church. Bill also enjoyed crossword puzzles, cycling and music. Bill was especially known for his love of humor. Nothing brought him more joy than to make others laugh and to bring a smile to their faces.

Sylvia Caron

February 18, 1970 ~ October 11, 2017

Sylvia M. Caron, 47, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away at 12:04 am, Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Linda E. White Hospice House.

Syl was born February 18, 1970 and was a 1988 graduate of Mater Dei High School. She had worked for 10 years in the guest service industry, then 10 years at Kruse, Dicus and Associates as a bookkeeper and the last 13 years in the office of Boone Funeral Home East Chapel, which she always said was by far her favorite job and where everyone felt like family. Syl was an avid reader. She especially loved spending time with her family and her large extended family of friends and “bonus children”. There was nothing in the entire universe she loved more than her son, a good book and to make people laugh.

Steven Lee Austin

July 10, 1948 ~ December 3, 2015

Steven Lee Austin, 67, of Evansville, formerly of Petersburg, Indiana went home to be with his Lord at 9:50 pm, Thursday, December 3, 2015 surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Steve was born July 10, 1948 in Washington, Indiana the son of the late Archie and Dorothy "Rose" (Butler) Austin and was of the Catholic Faith. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, serving in Vietnam, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. Steve was a graduate of Petersburg High School and graduated from Vincennes University in 1985 with an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science. He worked for several tri-state area funeral homes for 30 years, and the last 18 years for Boone Funeral Home-East Chapel in Evansville as lead funeral director.

Steve had a warm heart and giving soul, both of which made him a compassionate and excellent funeral director. He remembered each and every one of the families he served. Steve was truly a man who never met a stranger and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He will be profoundly missed by his family, his Boone family and by all the lives he touched, professionally and personally. We love you Steve... be at peace.