Staff
Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Susan R. Hughey was born in Chester, Illinois and later moved to Marion, Illinois with her family in 1952. Susan graduated from Marion High School in 1962. She married Charles E. Hughey in October of 1963. Charles and Susan bought the Pulley Funeral Home in 1969, which they later called Hughey-Pulley, and now Hughey Funeral Home. They raised 3 daughters, Carmen, Marsha and Monica above the funeral home. In 2002, Charles passed away. With the help of Don Collier and daughter Carmen they have continued the legacy that Charles created. In 2019 it will be 50 years in business. Susan has 5 grandchildren, Reid and Lane Deichman, Hayden Locke and Krystal and Kylie Akes. Susan is still active in the business. She is a member of the St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a Trustee of Cedarhurst Center for the Arts (Mitchell Museum).
Carmen Hughey-Deichman was born June 22, 1969 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois the daughter of Charles and Susan (Knapp) Hughey. She graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1987. She attended Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated in 1989 with an Associate of Arts Degree in Fashion Merchandising. After returning to Mt. Vernon she was employed at the Mammoth Department Store. Carmen then decided to attend Southern Illinois University where she received an Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service in 1992. She also married Chris F. Deichman the same year and began working beside her father, Charles. Carmen and her husband Chris have two sons, Reid and Lane. Carmen serves on the University of Illinois Extension Council and is a member of the St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She is also a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Carmen and her family enjoy showing quarter horses and running their family farm.
Don Collier is a 1973 Salem Community High School graduate. He attended McKendree College, transferring to Southern Illinois University, where he continued his studies graduating with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1977. Don began working side by side with Charles Hughey in July of 1977. Don married his wife, Anne (Saikia) of Salem in August of 1980. They have two children, Emily and husband, Jeff Harrison who reside in Woodlawn, IL, and Joseph Collier who reside in Mount Vernon, IL. Don is also known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, Kayden, Stevi Jane, and Charlotte Harrison of Woodlawn and Sebastian Collier of Mount Vernon. Don is a member of St. Mary Immaculate Conception Church. He enjoys music, cooking, and spending time with his family.
Marsha Hughey-Locke was born on May 30, 1970 to Charles and Susan (Knapp) Hughey and raised in Mount Vernon, Illinois. She graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School in May of 1988. She graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in May of 1992 with an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene and in May of 1993 with a Bachelors of Science in Health Care Management. She practiced Dental Hygiene for 12 years in Mount Vernon, Illinois and then joined Hughey Funeral Home as their Administrative Assistant in 2005. On October 12, 1996 she married John T. Locke and they have one son, Hayden Locke. She is a member of Central Christian Church, Counselor Ameritus at Cedarhurst where she serves on several committees.
Jacey L. House, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, was born December 10, 1997 to Daniel House and Jill (Garrison) House. She is a graduate of Mount Vernon Christian High School. She obtained her Associates Degree of Science at Rend Lake College in Ina, Illinois. Jacey then transferred to Southern Illinois University where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service in 2019. In August of 2023, Jacey graduated with her Masters in Thanatology from Marian University and shortly after became a certified Thanatologist. In her free time, Jacey enjoys spending time with her significant other, Winston; kids, Paislee and Rexton; and dogs, Red, Maple, and Willow.
Brian Jeffries, Funeral Director/Embalmer, grew up in Effingham, Illinois. He received his high school diploma from Effingham High School in 2004. From April 2006 to 2008, Brian worked at Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria, Virginia. That is when he knew he wanted to get in to the funeral industry. In August 2009, he attended Land Lake College in Mattoon, Illinois. In 2010, he started the mortuary program at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. He then graduated and received his Associates in Applied Science in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service degree in May of 2012. Brian started serving his apprenticeship and completed the requirements to become a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer at Hughey Funeral Home in May 2012. He stepped away for a few years and returned to the funeral home in March 2018. Brian married Meredith (Sinks) Jeffries on May 18, 2019.
Michael Lampe, Funeral Director/Embalmer was born April 23, 1964 to David and Margaret (Smerz) Lampe of Germantown, IL where he was raised. Mike graduated from Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese, IL in 1982 and went on to become an EMT/paramedic, a profession he worked at for 20 years prior to becoming a Funeral Director. In 2009 Mike graduated from St. Louis Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. Mike started working at Hughey Funeral Home in October of 2013. He has three children Andria, Jack and Jordyn. Mike resides in Mt. Vernon and attends West Salem Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon.
Marty is a life long resident of Jefferson County, having grown up in Farrington Township in the northeast corner of the county, the son of Keith and Mary Alice (Newell) Mills. He is a graduate of Webber Township High School and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Marty began his funeral service career in 1986 at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, where he later became a co-owner. He left funeral service in 2005 to serve at the Life Groups Pastor at Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon. He also served on the Board of Directors at the former First State Bank of Dix and currently serves on the Advisory Board for SSM Hospice. Marty is married to Kelly (Mowrer) and has one son, Jonathon Mills. Marty greatly enjoys working with the talented staff at Hughey/Newell Funeral Home. Together, we embrace the diversity of our community helping others to find peace and healing as they deal with loss and grief.
Karin Pace is a graduate of Webber Township High School in Bluford, Illinois. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science at Southern Illinois University in 2015 and a Master's in Thanatology in 2023. Karin also earned her Master Certified Life Coach certification in 2024. After working for a funeral home in Saint Charles, Missouri, she and her family moved back home to Mount Vernon to work at Hughey Funeral Home in 2016. Karin married John Pace from Woodlawn, Illinois. Together, they have a son and a daughter. They attend First Baptist Church of Woodlawn.
Kayla Hawkins graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She started working at Hughey Funeral Home in May 0f 2023 with the hopes of completing her apprenticeship. She enjoys spending time with her family, boyfriend, and four fur babies.
Jack Lampe was born on February 11, 2003 to Michael Lampe and the late Lisa (Walters) Lampe. He graduated from Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese, Illinois in May of 2021. In his free time, Jack enjoys spending time with his family. He is passionate about emergency services and can often be found listening to the local scanner.
Brooke Mitchell, daughter of Phil and Wanda Kramer, is a native and life-long resident of Mount Vernon, Illinois. Brooke is an account specialist with other local area business, Toni Federici, as well as a funeral service attendant at Hughey Funeral Home. A wife and mother, Brooke is married to Jonah "Duke" Mitchell, and they have together one daughter, Reese. Brooke is a member at Little Grove Christian Church where she loves to spend time with her church family.
Doug Williams has been a member of the Mount Vernon community most of his life. He graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School, then went on to obtain a Bachelors Degree from Illinois State College. Doug worked as a vet consultant for small and large animals before retirement. He now enjoys golfing and volunteering his time at Lifeboat Alliance as a case worker. Doug is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon. He and his wife have been married for over 48 years and together they have two daughters and one granddaughter.
Glenda L. Wittenbrink was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, to Walter Wells and Louise Lee Mannen. She graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School in 1960 and attended Mount Vernon Junior College for two years. She received her BA in Education from Eastern Illinois University. Glenda married Don R. Wittenbrink in 1966. They have been blessed with a son, David, and a daughter, Christy, and son-in-law, Kenny Neal. They have five grandchildren: Zach Davis, Madison Wittenbrink, Kasey Neal, Abby Neal, and A.J. Neal. Glenda retired after teaching 28 years at Rome Grade School. She likes to share the story of how she started her second career at Hughey Funeral Home. Her husband told her she needed to get another job at Walmart as a greeter. Of course, she said no. Glenda went to Charles Hughey to apply for a job, and began working there in June 1997. She has never regretted being a part of the wonderful and caring staff. Since Glenda's parents were deaf, she has been able to use her sign language skills at funerals when needed. She keeps busy with her family and friends, attending Southwest Christian Church, Alpha Delta Kappa and IRTA meetings.
Sherry Lea (Witzel) Williams, married to Stanton "Buck" Williams, 54 plus years, has three children, Doug (Patty) Williams, Sonya (Bobby Hood) Williams, and TIsha (Brad) Rueter; nine grandchildren, Brittany Tolbert, Levi Sprehe, Taylor (Miles) Tinsley, Trey Bruce, Tejay Bruce, Taylor (Amber) Bruce, Tyson Bruce, Scott McNeil, and Christian McNeil; and five great-grandchildren, Talia and Ezra Bruce, Gabriel Sprehe, and Rucker Tinsley. Sherry was raised on a farm near Cravat and later moved to Woodlawn with her parents who owned "Witzel's Coffee Cup" restaurant and gas station. She attended Witzel School (K) and finished at Grand Prairie Grade School, Woodlawn High School, Rend Lake College, and banking schools. Sherry retired from Fifth Third Bank after 44 years (previously King City Federal Savings and Loan) as a retail risk administrative manager. She was a member of many civic clubs and organizations with various awards including Senior Saints and Southern Illinois Leaders Among Us. She is presently VP for the Amy Center and Woodlawn Community Foundation. Sherry is also a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority and West Loan Prairie Christian Church. Sherry loves her family and enjoys spending time with them. She often babysits her great-grandkids, which is a true joy and blessing. She enjoys quilting, working outside, mowing, trimming, and growing flowers and plants. Sherry says she is "blessed to have a wonderful husband who shares the work and keeps me smiling." Sherry has worked as a part-time funeral service attendant for approximately five years and is proud to be part of the "wonderful, caring staff and management."
Linda Piercy Williams, born and raised in Jefferson County, Illinois, daughter of Paul and Helen Piercy. She graduated from Woodlawn High School and received her certification in interior design in 2009. Linda retired from Good Samaritan Hospital after 30 years and the last 3 years working at the new hospital site as a construction design coordinator. Linda was involved in 4H, served on the Granada board, United Way board, volunteered at Good Samaritan Auxiliary, and has been a member of Beta Sigma Phi for 34 years, where she worked on several service projects. Linda is the proud mother of two children, Rachel Norris and husband, Greg and Leon Williams and wife, Kati and grandmother to Grant, Garrett, Grace, Landon, and Caroline. She loves spending time with her family and being outdoors.