Our Staff

Theresa Zollars

Manager (Hopkins Chapel)/Licensed Mortician

Theresa grew up in the small Northeast Michigan village of Mikado located in Alcona County. She graduated from Alcona High School in 2002 and then joined the United States Navy. She spent just shy of five years in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman attached to the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. Theresa was first assigned to the pediatric department within the hospital, but a chance encounter and a lot of hard work allowed her the opportunity to be placed with the Navy Mortuary Affairs Department in 2004. Here she was tasked as the Burial at Sea Coordinator for the Navy Mid-Atlantic Region and was also the assistant to the Navy Morticians at NMCP. This opportunity opened the door for Theresa to be able to obtain an apprenticeship, complete mortuary school at Norfolk State University, and eventually obtain her funeral service licenses in Virginia, North Carolina and Michigan. It was also through this office that she and Tim met. After many years of working side by side together in the same family run funeral home in the south, and after the birth of their daughter, Vivian, Theresa and Tim decided it was time to move to Michigan to be closer to Theresa’s family after so many years away. In her down time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and camping with Tim, Vivian, Timothy and their golden retriever, Claire.

Tim Zollars

Manager (Allegan Chapel)/Licensed Mortician

Tim was born in Castle Shannon, PA and was raised in Chesapeake, VA after his father accepted a railroad transfer when he was just four years old. He graduated from Western Branch High School and later from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, GA. Tim has worked in the funeral service industry since 1990 and obtained his funeral service license in 1994. The majority of his career was spent in the Hampton Roads, Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina areas, and, as such, he holds licenses in both states as well as in Michigan. Tim and his wife, Theresa, met while working for a family owned funeral home in Chesapeake, VA. They have been married for ten years and together have a daughter, Vivian. Tim also has a son, Timothy, Jr. that is an accomplished welder in the Chesapeake area. Tim is a 32nd Degree Master Mason with life membership at Seaboard Lodge #56 AF & AM in Portsmouth, VA and is also a member of the Portsmouth Scottish Rite Bodies. When not working, he loves to hitch up the camper and take the family away for a couple of days to relax by a campfire somewhere.

Samuel Wallace

Manager (Fennville Chapel)/Licensed Mortician

Samuel John Wallace. He was born and raised right here in our lovely town of Allegan Michigan. Samuel is the middle son of 7 boys to Kent and Becky Wallace. He attended most of his grade school at Otsego Baptist Academy until he transferred to Allegan High from which he graduated in 2008. After graduating, Samuel served in the Marine Corps as Infantry Machine Gunner. Samuel met his lovely Bride Tiffany Kincaid at Gordens Funeral Home during his closest friend’s funeral. They married later that year and now have 3 wonderfully wild boys, Liam Roswell, Remington Ty, and Zebulun John. Samuel is a family man and spends all of his time outside of work with his boys and wife. After his short time in the military Samuel would then go on to work numerous jobs in varying capacities from factories, mining, road construction, pipe laying, welding, and framing. Through all that, Samuel realized his true gift was caring for people. And he accredits his talents and gifts because of his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So, during a funeral visitation of another close friend he would pursue the funeral home and develop the drive to become a Licensed Mortician. Samuel started with Gorden and Chappell Funeral Homes fall of 2018, and after a couple months took on his apprenticeship while becoming fully licensed in the fall of 2021. His heart is to serve and care for the families that walk through these doors. This is the last place any of us want to see anyone, but having someone that you know, and trust is crucial during this season of your life. And that’s why Samuel chose to become a Mortician. So, he could serve his family and friends of Allegan County. And to be a compassionate, caring Director to patiently walk alongside our families during their loss.

Lori Querback

Administrative Assistant and Office Manager

Lori began working at the funeral home in August of 2015 after working over thirty years in a corporate office setting. She married her husband, Alan, in 1987 and together have a beautiful daughter, Sarah. In their spare time, they enjoy traveling, camping, kayaking and exploring new areas around Southwest Michigan.

Ronnie Ewing

Ordained Minister, After Care Specialist, and Spiritual Support

Ronnie started out as part time, but God had other plans! He now works full time supplying spiritual support for staff as well as families we serve. He lives in our Fennville location with his wife, Jenn, and Daughter Cora as well as their eccentric pooch, Rufio. Ronnie also is an ordained minister who loves outreach, and skateboarding. He has a long term goal with our Funeral Firm coordinating and putting together an AFTER CARE program for those who are grieving.

Dave Garvin

Funeral Assistant

Dave was born in Weston, West Virginia and was a graduate of Lewis County High School and, later, West Virginia Business College. In 1971 he married Vicky and together they have three sons, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dave and Vicky are members of First Baptist Church in Allegan. He retired as a truck driver after thirty-two years. Dave likes to take camping trips and enjoys woodworking.

Levi Morse

Funeral Assistant

Levi is local farmer and Fennville resident his entire life. He enjoys working his 100 acre property and taking care of his family. Levi has been a local firefighter for over 35 years in the Fennville area.  He loves people and taking care of his friends and family whenever he can. From plowing snow, cutting hay, milking cows, fixing fences, whatever it takes. Levi is a true friend and a reliable, dependable and loyal employee. Levi loves every family that comes through our doors, and is here to serve them just like he does his own family. 

Casey Nolan

Funeral Assistant

Casey has been with Chappell sense 2021 and has lived in the Fennville area since 2014, where she enjoys spending time with her husband Larry and raising their kids. Being able to work within the community to where she lives enables her to connect with families, show support, kindness, and compassion. “ It is a wonderful and fulfilling feeling to hope you made some kind of difference in someone else’s day by just listening or being by there side in times of darkness.”

Kevin Huff

Funeral Assistant

Kevin is a retired high school English teacher. He taught for more than 30 years in the Parchment Schools. He enjoys a wide variety of activities, everything from collecting music to long-distance sailing. He finds great satisfaction in helping the bereaved.

Susan Pendleton

Funeral Assistant

Susan is one who describes herself as a lifelong learner. She is a two-time, soon to be three-time alumna of WMU, finishing up her PhD. Outside of working for Gorden's Funeral Residence, she is no stranger to working in higher education and currently works full-time as the Senior Admissions Counselor for her alma mater. She is a lover of the arts and great outdoors and finds true value in helping families find a sense of calmness as they grieve the loss of a loved one.

Tim Perrigo

Funeral Assistant

Claire Michael Zollars

Certified Grief Therapy Dog and Funeral Assistant