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Our History

We trace our roots to the early 1890’s when D.W. Newcomer, a sash and door maker, was called upon to construct a coffin for a close friend.  This brief encounter led Mr. Newcomer to enter funeral service by opening D.W. Newcomer’s Undertaking and Livery Service in Kansas City, Missouri in 1893.  Followed by his son, David Newcomer, and grandson, Warren Newcomer, the Newcomer family continued to expand the business in the Kansas City area.

Ren Newcomer, a fourth-generation funeral director, graduated from the University of Kansas in 1975 and began work as a funeral director in Topeka, Kansas.  In 1978 Ren established Newcomer Funeral Service Group when he purchased Penwell-Gabel and Parker-Price Funeral Homes in Topeka.  These funeral homes became the foundation for growth in the decades to follow.

Today, Newcomer remains an independent, family-owned company with over 40 funeral homes and cemeteries in 10 states.  We are supported by principals passed down from previous generations – uncompromising personal service and a price that is fair.  These principals have guided our expansion and plans for future growth.

Newcomer Family

Leadership Team

Founder Ren Newcomer graduated from the University of Kansas. Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather before him, Ren became a funeral director and began his career at his father’s funeral home in Topeka. He purchased two funeral homes in 1978 and in the decades that followed, expanded Newcomer Funeral Service Group into ten states with over forty funeral homes. Ren shares that the keys to his success have always been surrounding himself with great people, continually reinvesting in associates, facilities, and technology, and putting the needs of families and associates above everything else. Ren is a Past President of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association, a board member of CoreFirst Bank & Trust and is a licensed funeral director in the states of Kansas and Ohio.

Ren Newcomer

Founder and Chairman of the Board

Ren Newcomer
Ren Newcomer serves as the Founder and Chairman of Newcomer Funeral Service Group, Inc.  Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him, Ren become a funeral director and started his career in Topeka after graduating from the University of Kansas.  He founded Newcomer Funeral Service Group, Inc. in 1978 when he purchased his first funeral home and has spent the decades since expanding the company to over forty locations in ten states.  Ren is the Past President of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association, a board member of CoreFirst Bank & Trust and is a licensed funeral director in the states of Kansas and Ohio. 

John Newcomer succeeded his father, Ren Newcomer, as President of Newcomer Funeral Service Group in 2021. He joined the Company in 2012 as an Apprentice Funeral Director in Louisville, KY before serving as Manager of Newcomer’s operations in the Louisville area. John moved to the Home Office in Topeka, KS in 2017. He is a licensed funeral director in Kansas and Kentucky. Prior to joining his family’s business, John was a certified public accountant with KPMG’s Chicago office for four years. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and his Masters in Accounting, both from the University of Kansas.

John Newcomer

President

John Newcomer

John Newcomer serves as President of Newcomer Funeral Service Group. He joined the Company in 2012 as an Apprentice Funeral Director in Louisville, KY before serving as Manager of Newcomer’s operations in the Louisville area. John moved to the Home Office in Topeka, KS in 2017 and succeeded his father as President of the company in 2021. He is a licensed funeral director in Kansas and Kentucky.

Prior to joining his family’s business, John was a certified public accountant with KPMG’s Chicago office for four years. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and his Masters in Accounting, both from the University of Kansas.

Chief Operations Officer Perry Hasselbeck is a graduate of University of Cincinnati and attended Wharton School for Executive Education at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career at Batesville Casket Company, eventually holding management positions in their national accounts division and cremation products division. Perry shares that when he reviewed his career and future opportunities, he saw that the growth of our company was in line with his goals, and joined Newcomer in 2003. He was, and still is, impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to growth within our organization. Perry leads our Operations Department, and assists our division directors and funeral home managers with daily challenges and strategic initiatives.

Perry Hasselbeck

Executive Vice President,
Chief Operations Officer

Perry Hasselbeck
Chief Operations Officer Perry Hasselbeck is a graduate of University of Cincinnati and attended Wharton School for Executive Education at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career at Batesville Casket Company, eventually holding management positions in their national accounts division and cremation products division. Perry shares that when he reviewed his career and future opportunities, he saw that the growth of our company was in line with his goals, and joined Newcomer in 2003. He was, and still is, impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to growth within our organization. Perry leads our Operations Department, and assists our division directors and funeral home managers with daily challenges and strategic initiatives.

Chief Human Resources Officer Cressa Chalmers graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University, later completing her Master’s in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. She worked in Human Resources for public, private and government organizations before deciding to enter funeral service. While working as the Chief Administrative Officer for a family-owned firm, she completed her funeral director’s apprenticeship and eventually took on additional leadership roles including operations. Cressa became interested in Newcomer because of their culture and core values. She joined our company in 2015 as Director of Operations. In 2018, Cressa transitioned to our Home Office Leadership team, and leads our Human Resources team with a continual focus on keeping Newcomer a great place to work for all associates. She is a licensed funeral director in Ohio, and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association and many other Human Resource Organizations.

Cressa Chalmers

Senior Vice President
Operations

Cressa Chalmers
Senior Vice President of Operations Cressa Chalmers graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University, later completing her Master’s in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. She worked in Human Resources for public, private and government organizations before deciding to enter funeral service. While working as the Chief Administrative Officer for a family-owned firm, she completed her funeral director’s apprenticeship and eventually took on additional leadership roles including operations. Cressa became interested in Newcomer because of their culture and core values. She joined our company in 2015 as Director of Operations. In 2018, Cressa transitioned to our Home Office Leadership team, leading our Human Resources team as Chief Human Resources Officer with a continual focus on keeping Newcomer a great place to work for all associates. In 2023, Cressa moved into her current role within Operations. She is a licensed funeral director in Ohio, and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and Ohio Funeral Directors Association.

Chief Information Officer Robert Stanley is a graduate of Missouri State University. He began his career as a Software Developer for Conoco and later Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, before moving into leadership roles at Security Benefit/SE2 where he managed large teams as a Director of Technology Solutions. When he joined Newcomer in 2015, one of the immediate appeals was our organization’s genuine desire to serve families. The primary focus of Robert’s previous employers had always been profits and investors, and Newcomer’s culture and values have been a refreshing change. He also appreciated the new challenges of the CIO role, along with balance brought by the company's concern for their associates. Robert’s responsibilities include leading Newcomer’s IT team in providing the technology to meet the needs of our associates and the families that we serve, anticipating future needs, and securing all the information that families entrust to us.

Robert Stanley

Vice President
Chief Information Officer

Robert Stanley
Chief Information Officer Robert Stanley is a graduate of Missouri State University. He began his career as a Software Developer for Conoco and later Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, before moving into leadership roles at Security Benefit/SE2 where he managed large teams as a Director of Technology Solutions. When he joined Newcomer in 2015, one of the immediate appeals was our organization’s genuine desire to serve families. The primary focus of Robert’s previous employers had always been profits and investors, and Newcomer’s culture and values have been a refreshing change. He also appreciated the new challenges of the CIO role, along with balance brought by the company's concern for their associates. Robert’s responsibilities include leading Newcomer’s IT team in providing the technology to meet the needs of our associates and the families that we serve, anticipating future needs, and securing all the information that families entrust to us.

Chief Financial Officer Chet Stone is a Certified Public Accountant who joined our company in 2019. A graduate of Washburn University in Topeka, KS, Chet has previously worked with SS&C CPA’s, First Life America Corporation, CAS Construction, Jetz, and Empire Candle Company, in auditor, controller, CEO and CFO roles. Chet manages the activity of our Accounting Department, along with our finance, insurance, and banking relationships. He shared that he enjoys the family environment of our workplace, which gives him the opportunity to work with a great group of people who are providing a valuable service to our communities every day.

Chet Stone

Vice President
Chief Financial Officer

Chet Stone
Chief Financial Officer Chet Stone is a Certified Public Accountant who joined our company in 2019. A graduate of Washburn University in Topeka, KS, Chet has previously worked with SS&C CPA’s, First Life America Corporation, CAS Construction, Jetz, and Empire Candle Company, in auditor, controller, CEO and CFO roles. Chet manages the activity of our Accounting Department, along with our finance, insurance, and banking relationships. He shared that he enjoys the family environment of our workplace, which gives him the opportunity to work with a great group of people who are providing a valuable service to our communities every day.

Director of Compliance and Risk Management

Gregg Burden

Director of Compliance and Risk Management

Gregg Burden
Director of Compliance and Risk Management Gregg Burden is a graduate of Kansas State University. After over 26 years of service to the U.S. Air Force and the Kansas Air National Guard, he retired as Wing Commander of the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka, Kansas. Throughout his military career, Gregg had the opportunity to serve in leadership and command positions while logging more than 5,000 flight hours in combat and peacetime missions. Following this, Gregg was a Supervisory Program Specialist at the Veterans Administration and was later appointed by the Governor of Kansas to serve as the Director of the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office, an organization tasked with the safe and successful operation of veteran nursing homes, cemeteries, and field offices. Gregg joined Newcomer in 2022, seeing it as an outstanding opportunity to join a professional team that was making a difference in people’s lives. As Director of Compliance and Risk Management, he serves as the primary point of contact for company-wide compliance inquiries from both internal and external sources. Gregg is a Leadership Greater Topeka and Leadership Kansas honoree and a recipient of the Spaatz Trophy, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Air National Guard Outstanding Unit Award.

Director of Facilities & Construction Management Brent Hockins is a United States Army Veteran. He trained as a mechanic in the Army, and later worked as an auto and then airplane mechanic after obtaining his airframe and powerplant license. After the airline industry took a downturn, Brent turned his attention to the field of property management and construction, working his way up from a day porter position into professional leadership roles including Chief Building Engineer and Director of Facilities and Construction. Brent has managed facilities for major corporations and organizations with large, multi-state portfolios, and has received national recognition for his new construction and building improvement projects. Brent joined Newcomer in 2018, and provides daily oversight of the Construction and Facilities Department. He was attracted to our company because of its longevity and stability, care for families and associates, and our demonstrated high standards and responsibility towards our facilities. Brent is a long-standing member of the International Facility Management Association.

Brent Hockins

Director of Facilities and Construction Management

Brent Hockins
Director of Facilities & Construction Management Brent Hockins is a United States Army Veteran. He trained as a mechanic in the Army, and later worked as an auto and then airplane mechanic after obtaining his airframe and powerplant license. After the airline industry took a downturn, Brent turned his attention to the field of property management and construction, working his way up from a day porter position into professional leadership roles including Chief Building Engineer and Director of Facilities and Construction. Brent has managed facilities for major corporations and organizations with large, multi-state portfolios, and has received national recognition for his new construction and building improvement projects. Brent joined Newcomer in 2018, and provides daily oversight of the Construction and Facilities Department. He was attracted to our company because of its longevity and stability, care for families and associates, and our demonstrated high standards and responsibility towards our facilities. Brent is a long-standing member of the International Facility Management Association.

Tyler Cummins, Director of Human Resources

Tyler Cummins

Director of
Human Resources

Tyler Cummins
Director of Human Resources Tyler Cummins graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. He began his career at the Kansas Golf Association where he led volunteers and staff members and oversaw the day-to-day activities of the junior golf and membership programs throughout Kansas. When looking to make a change in 2017, he was attracted to Newcomer because of our reputation and positive impact on the communities we serve, and the way we continually invest in our associates. Tyler joined the Human Resources team as an assistant and has since held the roles of Benefits Administrator and Human Resources Business Partner. As Director, Tyler oversees the day-to-day activities of HR and supports our leadership team, managers, and associates company-wide. The genuine care, compassion and professionalism of our associates motivates him every day to make sure that HR is meeting associates’ needs so they can better support the families we serve.

Director of Marketing Jeremy Lamb is a graduate of Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He has a strong background in Marketing and Sales across a number of industries, including radio, auto and digital marketing. In 2018, he joined Newcomer to lead our Marketing Department, overseeing all marketing and communication efforts. Jeremy shares that he was interested in our company because it is a family-owned organization which continually invests in its employees.

Jeremy Lamb

Director of Marketing

Jeremy Lamb
Director of Marketing Jeremy Lamb is a graduate of Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He has a strong background in Marketing and Sales across a number of industries, including radio, auto and digital marketing. In 2018, he joined Newcomer to lead our Marketing Department, overseeing all marketing and communication efforts. Jeremy shares that he was interested in our company because it is a family-owned organization which continually invests in its employees.

Director of Sales Roy Montgomery is a Kansas native who attended Bethany College. He has worked in sales throughout his career, initially in business-to-business opportunities, and later joining the life insurance industry with American Home Life. In 2006, he transitioned to a funeral preplanning sales position with our funeral home in Lakewood, Colorado, eventually attaining a regional sales director role before becoming our national sales director in 2020. Roy is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring growth sales strategies and technologies, coaching and training our team, and recruiting new talent to help us achieve greater sales results, all while maintaining outstanding customer service.

Roy Montgomery

Director of Sales

Roy Montgomery
Director of Sales Roy Montgomery is a Kansas native who attended Bethany College. He has worked in sales throughout his career, initially in business-to-business opportunities, and later joining the life insurance industry with American Home Life. In 2006, he transitioned to a funeral preplanning sales position with our funeral home in Lakewood, Colorado, eventually attaining a regional sales director role before becoming our national sales director in 2020. Roy is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring growth sales strategies and technologies, coaching and training our team, and recruiting new talent to help us achieve greater sales results, all while maintaining outstanding customer service.

core values

Values

Throughout its history, our company has always been characterized by the pursuit of Excellence in everything we do, a relationship of Trust with the families we serve, Care for our associates and our communities, and the ongoing pursuit of Growth both as individuals and as a company.

These four values serve as points on a compass, guiding our daily actions and decisions, helping us to always do the right thing.

locations

map

Topeka, KS

Junction City, KS

Casper, WY

Denver, CO

Olathe, KS

Miami/Franklin Co, KS

St. Louis, MO

Orlando, FL

Green Bay, WI

Rochester, NY

Syracuse, NY

Albany, NY

Toledo, OH

Akron, OH

Cincinnati, OH

Columbus, OH

Dayton, OH

Indianapolis, IN

New Albany, IN

Louisville, KY

Erlanger, KY

Massillon, OH
40-locations

newsroom

Summer Preplanning Workshops

June 1, 2023

This summer, we are hosting workshops across the country to help families plan ahead. In a no-pressure workshop environment, families and individuals learn about the…

Welcoming New Funeral Directors for Training

May 10, 2023

Last month we had the opportunity to welcome a number of our newer funeral directors from across our company to our Home Office in Topeka,…

Recognition for Newcomer Pre-Need Sales Associates

January 15, 2023

Newcomer’s long-time partner, National Guardian Life, recently announced that 18 preplanning associates from across our organization have qualified for the 2022 Producer Circle. The Circle…

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