Our Staff

Jim graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1959. He worked at the Illinois Funeral Directors’ Association in Springfield, IL during the mid-60’s when he met Mary Lou and they married in 1967. Jim was then employed at Bisch and Son Funeral Home in Springfield, IL for 7 ½ years before purchasing the Harris Funeral Home in Highland in 1976. The name of the funeral home was changed to Meridith Funeral Home in 1979. Jim retired from everyday duties in October 2016, and sadly, departed this life in February of 2020. Mary Lou had served as secretary for...

Jim graduated from St. Paul High School in 1986 and from McKendree College in Lebanon, IL in 1992 with a degree in Business Administration. He worked in sales and management until attending Worsham College of Mortuary Science from September 2003 until his graduation in September, 2004. In July 2011, Jim married Denise at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL. They live in Highland with her children, Tyler and Emily Deichmann, and their children James Thomas and Sophia Rose.

John Schemerhorn joined Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home in Collinsville, IL in 2021, as a Licensed Funeral Director; bringing with him, over 40 years of experience.  John is also a current Madison County Reserve Deputy Coroner.  He is an active member of his church and is proud to say, He and his wife, Karen, have lived in Collinsville for 35 years.  John and Karen have four children and ten grandchildren.  

Mandi Sakadaris-Ulett joins our staff as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, assisting at Meridith Funeral Home in Highland, Lebanon, and Pocahontas, IL.  Mandi graduated from Edwardsville High School in 2017, attended Lewis & Clark Community College in 2018, and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in September 2019, with a degree in Applied Sciences.  Mandi lives with her husband, Jake, and her dogs, Anubis & Panda, in Glen Carbon, IL.

Melanie Tuttle joined Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home in Collinsville, IL in September 2021, as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer Apprentice. She completed her apprenticeship through the Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home and became a fully licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 2023. She graduated from Southwestern Illinois College in 2015, with an Associates in Sciences degree, then graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2017, with a degree in Mortuary Science.  Melanie resides in Collinsville, IL with her son Quentin.

Brenda joined the Meridith Funeral Home in November 2017.  Her association with Meridith Funeral Home began in 1993, when helping families prepare for a funeral in her role as Pastoral Coordinator for St. Joseph Church in Lebanon.  Brenda graduated from McKendree in 1979 with a BA and earned  a Master’s degree in Pastoral Care from Aquinas Institute in 2006.  She assists us as our Continuing Care Coordinator, helping families following the death of a loved one with care and support for the days after.  Brenda and her husband Jim, live in O’Fallon.

Jane has been with Meridith Funeral Home since March of 2013. She worked Civil Service at Scott Air Force Base for more than 30 years. Jane worked in the office as one of our Administrative assistants until December 2020, and now is one of the friendly faces you will see assisting with visitations and funerals, or running errands for the Funeral Home. Jane lives in Highland with her beloved dog Gucci.

Paul has been with the Meridith Funeral Home since 2012. He worked for the City of Highland for more than 35 years. Paul is one of the friendly faces you will see assisting with visitations and funerals.  He and his wife, Sue, live in Highland.

Richard Boyd joined the Meridith Funeral Home staff in the Spring of 2018 and assists at funerals and visitations in the Lebanon area.  He teaches vocal instruction at Boyd Music and is a well known soloist and principal singer with many well known choral groups in the area.  He and his wife Marilyn, live in Lebanon, IL.

Tracy Holtgrave joined the Meridith Funeral Home staff in March 2019.  She is one of the friendly faces you will see assisting with visitations at our Highland location.  Tracy lives in Highland.

Darlene joins our staff as one of the Administrative Assistants at our Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home in Cisne, IL. She and her husband, John, are former owners of the Hosselton Funeral Home, which they purchased in 1975. She has been actively involved in her Church and in the Cisne community since 1975. She is a resource for us all with her knowledge and experience, and we appreciate the time she shares with us during visitations and funerals and is a comforting voice on the phone. She and her husband reside in Cisne.

Vicky joined the Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home staff, February 3, 2020.  She previously worked at and later owned the Cisne Key Market for over 39-years.  Vicky has been very active in the Cisne community for many years.  Vicky assists with administrative duties, visitations and funerals. She is the pleasant voice on the phone and the friendly face you will see upon visiting our Cisne location.  She and her husband Jim live in Cisne.

Mary Lou has been with the Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home for over 55 years.  She is the longest serving employee in Cisne, assisting with visitations and funerals.  She is a friendly face many look for.  Mary Lou resides in Cisne, IL.

Cary has been with the Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home for  5 years.  He is a retired teacher from Cisne High School.  Cary is a friendly face you will see around the funeral home, assisting with visitations and funerals, as well as, maintenance and groundskeeping.  He lives in Cisne with his wife, Libby.

Eber has been with the Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home for 3 years.  He retired from Caterpillar in Joliet and returned to Cisne, where he grew up.  Eber is a friendly face you will see assisting with visitations, funerals, maintenance and groundskeeping.  Eber lives in Cisne.

Charlie has been with Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home for 3 years.  He is a veteran, and a retiree of North American Lighting.  Charlie is one of the friendly faces you will see assisting with visitations and funerals, as well as, maintenance and groundskeeping.  He resides in rural Johnsonville with his wife, Connie.

Ollie has been with the Herbert A. Kassly staff for 10 years, and joins us at our Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home in Collinsville, IL.  Ollie is a friendly face you will see around the funeral home, assisting with visitations and funerals, and helping out wherever he is needed.  Ollie resides in Collinsville, IL with his wife Angela.