Who We Are

Our Valued Staff

Adam Miles Martin, President and Owner, Licensed Funeral Director, CFSP, CMFP, CPC, MAPP

Adam was educated locally at St. Mary's Elementary School in Mt. Morris and Luke M. Powers Catholic High School in Flint. Upon graduating from high school he went on to attend the University of Nevada in Las Vegas studying management. Upon returning to Michigan, he attended Mott Community College in Flint and would go on to study Mortuary Science at Wayne State University in Detroit, graduating in the fall of 2003 and receiving his License to Practice Mortuary Science shortly thereafter.

As the president of Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services, Adam is responsible for overseeing the direction and operations of the funeral homes.

Currently, Adam serves his community in many capacities including: the president of the Greater Mt. Morris Chamber of Commerce, vice-president of the Friends of the Mt. Morris Library, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mt. Morris, the Kiwanis/City of Mt. Morris Memorial Day Parade Chair Person, the Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council #4285, the Leon J. Satkowiak, 4th Degree Assembly #0524, a member of the Vision Vassar Cool Cities Committee, the Vassar Yuletide Celebration Chair Person, the Chair Person of the Bean Festival Parade in Fairgrove, the Business Networking International, Clio Gains Chapter and is an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church.

Adam makes his home in Mt. Morris with his wife, Jennifer and their daughter.

Miles T. Martin, Past-President, Licensed Funeral Director, CFSP

Miles is a lifelong resident of Mt. Morris, educated at St. Mary School in Mt. Morris, graduating from St. Mary High School with the Class of 1963. After graduation, Miles joined the United States Army serving in the 199th Lt. Infantry Brigade at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam. Upon his return to civilian life, Miles would attend Flint Junior College and go on to graduate from Wayne State University's College of Mortuary Science in 1971 and receive his License to Practice Mortuary Science later that year.

As the past president of Martin Funeral, Cremation Center, Miles is responsible for mentoring the current staff and ensuring the continuation of unsurpassed service and quality.

Having served in numerous capacities, Miles has been active with the Mt. Morris Jaycees, Mt. Morris Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Morris Kiwanis Club, Education Foundation for Mt. Morris Schools, Genesee County Funeral Directors Association, Michigan Funeral Directors Association, and the International Order of the Golden Rule Board of Directors. He is also very involved at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris, serving on the cemetery committee and as a Eucharistic Minister and Reader, the Knights of Columbus, Holy Family Council #4285 and the Leon Satkowiak 4th Degree Assembley #0524.

As a veteran of the Vietnam War, Miles is a life member of the VFW Gordon R. Bennett Post #1452, the American Legion, Neely-LaBar Post #153 and the Disabled American Veterans Post #122, Skidmore Chapter.

Miles currently resides in Otisville with his wife, Darnell.

M. Kelly Martin, President of Blackburn Chapel, Licensed Funeral Director

M. Kelly was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1973 to 1978. He would go on to attend Mott Community College, graduating in 1992, and attained in Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1997. From there, M. Kelly would go on to study Mortuary Science at Wayne State University in Detroit, graduating in 1998 and he received his License to Practice Mortuary Science shortly thereafter.

M. Kelly is the President and owner of the Martin Funeral Home - Blackburn Chapel in North Branch, Michigan where he worked with his father, Patrick J. Martin, until his death in 1998.

He currently serves his community as North Branch Village President, DDA Chair, and the Village Planning Commission the Township Planning Commission. M. Kelly is the past president of the Thumb Area Funeral Directors Association and past commander, and currently a member, of the American Legion Post #457.

He resides in North Branch with his wife, Susan.

Jennifer R. Merritt-Martin, Human Resources Manager

Jennifer was raised in the Montrose and Chesaning areas and is a graduate of Chesaning High School, Class of 1993. After high school, she would attend the University of Michigan - Flint, studying social work.

Her career path would lead her to the restaurant industry where she would work as the general manager of the Bob Evans Restaurant in Birch Run.

In 2006, Jennifer joined the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff and currently serves as the manager of the Human Resources and Payroll departments, overseeing hiring and training.

Jennifer is the vice president of Mt. Morris Beautification, the treasurer of Mt. Morris Neighborhood Watch, a board member of the Greater Mt. Morris Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mt. Morris, volunteering in their Terrific Kids and Backpack Programs and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris as a member of Education Commission and is actively involved in nearly every activity the funeral home is a part of.

Jennifer and Adam make their home in Mt. Morris with their daughter.

Marvin Zucker, Licensed Funeral Director

Marvin is a lifelong resident of Frankenmuth, Michigan. He was educated locally and graduated from Frankenmuth High School. After graduating high school, he went on to attend the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science and, upon graduating, returned to Michigan and received in License to Practice Mortuary Science.

His career in funeral service would lead him back to his hometown where he worked and managed Cedarberg Funeral Home in Frankenmuth for many years. For a period of time, he owned and operated his own funeral home, Zucker Funeral Home, in Frankenmuth. Marvin became a member of our staff in the early 1990's and has proved himself invaluable with his availability and breadth of knowledge and experience. He has been a licensed funeral director for over 40 years.

Marvin is a member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth and resides in Frankenmuth with his wife, Joyce.

Tricia Caruth, Apprentice Funeral Director

Tricia was born in Flint and raised in Mt. Morris. She was educated locally and graduated from Mt. Morris High School. She would go on to attend Baker College studying Psychology.

She joined our staff in April of 2011 as a receptionist. In August of 2012, she began working full time as an administrative assistant and has since began serving her apprenticeship to become a funeral director.

Tricia resides in Clio with her husband, Jason, and has a daughter and a son.

Miranda Kitchen, Apprentice Funeral Director

Miranda was raised in Clio, Michigan. She was educated locally and is a graduate of Luke M. Powers Catholic High School in Flint, Class of 2009. Currently, Miranda is enrolled at Mott Community College in Flint, completing her pre-mortuary school studies, with plans to attend Wayne State University’s College of Mortuary Science soon. After Hurricane Katrina, Miranda traveled to Louisiana to assist in demolishing and rebuilding homes, for which she was awarded a Community Service Award at high school.

Currently serving her apprentice at the funeral home, Miranda is juggling work and school. She will be the first person in her family to enter into funeral service.

Miranda is a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris and has been featured in the Flint Journal’s “Meet Your Neighbor” section. She resides in Clio.

Elizabeth Peterson, Family Relations and Community Outreach Manager, CPC, MAPP

Elizabeth was raised in Mt. Morris and was educated locally through St. Mary Elementary School and went on to attend Luke M. Powers Catholic High School in Flint. Upon graduating, she would go on to attend Saginaw Valley State University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Communication and Business Management in 1994.

Her career path would lead her to Jostens, Inc. where she oversaw a 1.5 million dollar territory in Michigan and specialized in providing graduation and championship rings, including the NCAA Championship rings for the 2000 Michigan State University, Men’s College Basketball team.

In 2002, Elizabeth joined the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff to serve as our preplanning consultant and in July of 2004, she became a Certified Preplanning Consultant. She currently serves the funeral home in numerous capacities, primarily focusing as a funeral planner and arranger and head of family relations and community outreach.

She is a member of the Vassar Rotary Club, chairperson of the Vassar Yuletide Celebration and the St. Luke's Women's Outreach Center. Elizabeth attends St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Flushing where she is a member of the Council of Catholic Women. She is also active with the Flushing Early Childhood Center and the Saginaw Valley Alumni Association.

Elizabeth resides in Flushing with her husband, Andy, and two sons.

Thomas Merritt, Creative Design Manager

Tom was raised in the Montrose and Chesaning areas and is a graduate of Chesaning Union High School, Class of 1996. From there, he continued his education at Delta Community College studying electronic engineering.

His career path would lead him into restaurant industry where he would work as a manager and eventually as general manager for Bob Evans Restaurants in the Metro Detroit area.

In 2005, Tom joined the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff as the Maintenance Department Supervisor. His customer service and management skills led him to a position in our office. Tom's currently serves as a funeral planner and arranger and as the head of our multimedia and developing technologies department.

He is a board member of the Vassar Chamber of Commerce, the vice-president of the Mt. Morris Neighborhood Watch, the secretary of Mt. Morris Beautification, a member of the Business Networking International Chapter in Burton and involved in nearly every activity the funeral home is a part of.

Tom has a daughter, Mackensie, and resides in Mount Morris.

Kevin Jackson, Pre-arrangement Coordinator, Memorial Consultant, CPC, MAPP

Kevin was raised in Flint, Michigan and educated locally, graduating from Carman-Ainsworth High School in 2002. From there, he attended Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing in 2008.

His career path would lead him to Estate Information Services where he assisted in Estate Preplanning and Sales Support.

In 2009, Kevin joined the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff and currently serves as our preplanning consultant.

He is a member of the Clio Rotary Club and is a licensed limited life insurance agent with the State of Michigan and the National Guardian Life Insurance Company.

Kevin resides in Clio, with his wife, Katina, and their family.

Deb Stakalosa, Pre-arrangement Coordinator

Deb was born and raised in Caro, Michigan and was educated locally through the Caro School System and graduated from Caro High School with the Class of 1976. She received her secondary education from the Saginaw Business Institute, graduating in 1985.

Her career path would lead her to Highland Pines Schools, Saginaw Business Institute - Caro Campus and Human Development.

Deb joined the Martin Funeral Home staff in 1996 as a receptionist. She has worked in our Vassar office as an administrative assistant for many years and, in early 2012, began serving families as a pre-arrangement coordinator.

She is a member of Vassar First United Methodist Church and is active in the adult choral choir and handbell choir. She is also involved with the Vassar Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Friends of the Library.

Deb resides in Vassar with her husband, Gordon, Sr. and daughter, Mikayla.

Susan McKenney, Aftercare Coordinator

Susan was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and raised in Londan, Ontario. She was educated at Riverside Public School and graduated from Mt. St. Joseph Academy for Girls. Susan would go on to further graduate from Hamilton and District School of Nursing and Mohawk College.

She has worked for the Canadian Red Cross, Public General HOspital in Chatham, Ontario and Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Ontario.

In 2006, Susan joined the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff at our Vassar location as a receptionist. Seeing how well she interacted with families, and based upon some of her formal nurses training, Susan quickly moved from a receptionist and found her home overseeing our aftercare department.

Susan is a member of the Gold Wing Road Rider's Association Cass River Chapter, the Thumb Area Tea Party and chairs all of Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services' support groups and community aftercare involvement.

She resides in Vassar with her husband, John.

Debbie Fralick, Funeral Home Curator and Family Concierge

Debbie was born in Flint, Michigan, and raised in Fenton and Cheboygan. She is a graduate of Fenton High School, Class of 1981. Debbie also attend Mott Community College in Flint where she studied Deaf Education, graduating in 1996.

Her career path would lead her Billy's Roadhouse in Mt. Morris where she worked as a waitress for 14 years as well as spending time at Allen's Floor Covering and as a teachers aide at the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint.

Debbie joined the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff in 2008 as our housekeeper and, during her time here, has served as the maintenance supervisor and currently dedicates her time as our funeral home curator and concierge, ensuring our families are very well taken care of.

She has volunteered for Goodwill Industries International and the Michigan School for the Deaf.

Debbie currently resides in Mt. Morris.

Elizabeth Lemuel, Executive Assistant

Elizabeth, better know as Liz, is a lifelong resident of Flint and was educated at Roosevelt Elementary School and Lowell Junior High in Flint. She graduated from Northern High School with the Class of 1963.

For a short period of time, she worked at Hurley Hospital prior to accepting a position with the US Post Office. Liz worked in many capacities in her 33 years with the Post Office in Mt. Morris, including delivery to the funeral home, prior to retiring in 2004 as a letter carrier.

Later that year, Liz would be welcomed to the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff as a receptionist. She would soon see her role to expand several different areas including time in the pre-need and aftercare department. Liz currently serves as our executive assistant.

She is a member of the Krapohl Senior Center in Mt. Morris Township and is active with the American Cancer Society, particularly in organizing our staff attendance at the Making Strides Breast Cancer Awareness Walks.

Liz currently resides in Flint.

Robin Stewart, Bookkeeper

Robin was born in Cullman, Alabama and moved to the Mt. Morris area in her childhood. She graduated from Mt. Morris High School with the Class of 1976. He career path would lead her to a job with the City of Mt. Morris where she worked as City Treasurer until her retirement in 2007.

Later that year, Robin would join the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff as a receptionist. As the need grew, she transitioned from our reception staff to our bookkeeper.

She is a member, and is very active with, the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Morris, working as treasurer, on their board, with youth services and in the kitchen, and is also very active with the Kiwanis Club of Mt. Morris, having served as secretary for many years as well as past president and is the secretary of the Greater Mt. Morris Chamber of Commerce. Robin is involved in nearly all of our funeral home's activities.

Robin currently resides in Clio, with her husband, Lee. They have three children.

Tim Lafferty, Maintenance Staff

Tim is a lifelong resident of Birch Run, Michigan, educated locally through the Birch Run school system and graduating with the Class of 1981.

From 1984 to 2009, he worked in the shipping and receiving department for Andersen Logistics in Birch Run.

In August of 2010, Tim joined the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff in the maintenance department, taking care of our fleet of vehicles and our three locations.

He is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Tim resides in Birch Run.

Joe Paciorek, Maintenance Staff

Joe was born in Auburn, New York and has been a Clio resident for many years. He attended Diamond School prior to entering and service in the United States Air Force. In 1962, he graduated from Barber College and owned and operated his own barber shop for over 33 years.

In 1995, after his retirement from barbering, Joe came to join the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff in the maintenance department.

He is a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris and resides in Clio with his wife, Delores.

Shaddon Simmonds, Maintenance Staff

Shaddon was born in Flint, Michigan. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Mt. Morris and graduated from Lakeville High School in 2012.

In high school, he began working for Tom and Darnell Martin at their home and, in 2011, he joined the staff working in the maintenance department.

He is a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Davison.

Shaddon resides in Otisville.

Daisy Martin, Our Canine Companion

Daisy came to us in 2003, and we are overjoyed to have her. Her story is a special one, and merits sharing. We believe her story is as special as she is!

Several years ago we had the funeral for a woman, who all her life, always had a Scottish terrier. The last Scottie she had was Daisy, and she was 89 years old when Daisy came into her life.

Shortly after, she was placed in a nursing home. She had no family except for a nephew, who lived in Canada. He cared for Daisy since she had moved into the nursing home, so she could see Daisy when they visited her.

When she died, we learned that they were, more than likely, going to find Daisy a new home.

After making the funeral arrangements, we decided that Daisy's new home could be with us and she has been an extended part of the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services staff since 2003.