Staff
Our dedicated staff 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.
Derfelt Funeral Home - Galena
In 2009, Jerry and Peggy Derfelt acquired all of the shares of Derfelt Funeral Homes Inc making them the owners and officers of the business.
Their family consists of five children and twelve grandchildren.
They pledge to continue the legacy that began several decades ago. They wish to be known for their compassionate service at a time they are needed the most.
Stephen Derfelt, CFSP, CPC is the son of Jerry and Peggy Derfelt. A lifelong resident of Galena, he attended Galena Schools, graduating in 2009.
He earned an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science from Kansas City Kansas Community College, graduating in December of 2012.
Stephen received his funeral director and embalmer licenses in February of 2014 after serving his one year apprenticeship. He is also a preneed life insurance agent and licensed crematory operator.
In January of 2020, Stephen earned his Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) designation from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners, which is the highest individual professional designation you can recieve in funeral service.
In December of 2020, Stephen earned his Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) certification from the National Funeral Director's Association. This voluntary program is intended to promote expertise and professionalism in advance funeral planning among NFDA Members.
He is also active with his community in Galena as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT with the Galena Volunteer Fire Department, serving since 2009.
Stephen's employment with us represents the fourth generation of the Derfelt Family in our business.
James Orson joined Derfelt Funeral Homes in May of 2022, after being a stay-at-home dad for the last three years. James graduated from Pittsburg State University with his MBA in 2015. It was there that he met his future wife, Kelsey. James and Kelsey have two toddler boys in the Webb City area.
In August of 2023, after serving a one-year apprenticeship, James earned his Funeral Director's license from the State of Kansas.
Throughout his life, James has developed a passion for serving people and his faith. He looks forward to serving our community and taking care of them through Derfelt Funeral Homes.
Derfelt Funeral Home - Baxter Springs
Kyle has been on staff with us since 2005. In 2009, when all shares of the company were purchased by Jerry and Peggy Derfelt, Kyle became the manager of our Baxter Chapel.
With Kyle's commitment to the community through civic organizations, his involvement in the Baxter Springs Fire Department, and lifelong friendships established throughout the town, we trust that you'll be pleased with the service you receive, and the respect you'll be given.
Curt McCullough, CFSP joined Derfelt Funeral Homes in June of 2021, after working at Cheney Witt Chapel in Fort Scott, Kansas, Parker Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri and the Worley-Luginbuel Funeral home in both Grove and Jay, Oklahoma.
Curt graduated from the Kansas City Kansas Community College School of Mortuary Science in May of 2008 where he received his Embalmer and Funeral Director Certifications. Prior to mortuary school, Curt pursued other interests in and near his hometown after graduating as part of the 1997 Class of Pittsburg High School.
Curt resides in the rural Joplin area along with his two fur babies, Morti and Harper. He is an active member of the Joplin Masonic Lodge No.335, Valley of Joplin Scottish Rite, Tyrian Chapter No. 52 of Royal Arch Masons, Neosho Council No, 46 of Cryptic Masons and Neosho Commandary No. 57 Knights Templar.
In July of 2022, Curt earned his Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) Designation from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners, which is the highest individual professional designation that you can receive in funeral service.
Curt is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas; and looks forward to working with the Derfelt Funeral Home staff to provide excellent care for families in the four-state area.
Derfelt Funeral Home - Columbus
Jenny Derfelt, daughter of Jerry and Peggy Derfelt, works with our staff at all of our locations. Along with performing secretarial duties, housekeeping, and serving families at need, she also acts as our pre-need counselor here at the funeral homes.
Jenny grew up in Galena, graduating from high school in 2001. From there she attended college at Central Baptist College, in Conway, AR as a music major for 2 years.
“I always said that I would never work in a funeral home when I grew up, as it is a difficult profession to work in, while raising a family. While in Conway, I worked for Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, and learned so much about the business and ministry that the funeral business is. I knew that although there are sacrifices involved, this was what I wanted to do.”
She moved back home to Galena to work with the rest of the family, and now has three children, Preston, Madelyn, and Eleanor.