Stuart Terry
Greg Terry
Robbie Bennett
Robert F. "Robbie" Bennett has served as the General Manager for the funeral homes since January of 2003. He and his wife, Rhonda reside in Newton along with their son, Kyle. Robbie is a member of Terrell Baptist Church; Balls Creek Lions Club, where is a past president; Balls Creek Optimist Club, where he is currently Vice-President but also a Past President; and a former member of Bandy's Volunteer Fire Department. Robbie is a 1982 graduate of Maiden High School and a1986 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science. He was appointed by Catawba County Commissioners to serve on Balls Creek small area planning committee. He also services as District 10 Director for North Carolina Funeral Directors Association. He loves following son Kyle's baseball, Catawba County High School sports and Wake Forest University football where nephew plays.
Jon Ostrander
Jon Ostrander joined our staff in March 2007 as Manager of Advance Funeral Planning and Business Manager of all three locations. He began his funeral career in 1962 and had served as manager for Harry & Bryant Company in Charlotte for 6 years. Jon is a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. He and his wife, Roseann reside in Hickory. Jon loves baseball, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.
Vickie Downing
Repass, Funeral Director &
Crematory Manager
Vickie has been with Drum Funeral Homes since June of 2005. She received her NC Funeral Service License in 1997 and holds an Association Degree in Funeral Service, Associate Degree in Business Administration, diploma in computer programming and his a licensed cosmetologist. Vickie was born and raised in Catawba County and she and her husband of five years currently reside in Conover. She also has a daughter who served five years in the US Army and now attends UNC-Charlotte as well as a son who served four years in the US Marines and now attends CVCC.
Johnny Saunders
Johnny C. Saunders is a lifelong citizen of Newton. He began his funeral career in 1968. Johnny is a member of First United Methodist Church in Newton, the Newton Lions Club, where he is a past president and Catawba Lodge 248. Johnny resides in Newton with his 2 children.
Patti Merritt
Patricia "Patti" Merritt began working for Drum Funeral Home in Conover in March of 1986 as a Secretary. Patti and her husband, Danny resides in Hickory with their 2 children. She is a member of First United Methodist Church in Hickory, where she teaches Sunday School and is a member of the United Methodist Women. She serves on the council of her son's boy scout troop and is a former girl scout leader. She is a member and past president of the Hickory Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. She loves spending time with her family, quilting and sewing.
Teresa Schrum
Teresa B. Schrum has worked in the office for Drum and Willis-Reynolds Funeral Homes since March of 1998. She previously worked in the office for the aviation and trucking industry for over 23 years. Teresa currently is a part time administrative assistant for Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory. She is a member of Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church. She loves camping, hiking, fishing, gardening, reading and spending time with her family. She reside in Newton with her husband, Tim and they have two grown children.
Belinda Harrison
Belinda W. Harrison has worked in the office of Conover location since 2002. She has semi-retired and fortunately is now working part-time for us. She is a member of Mt. View United Methodist Church in Claremont, the church choir and United Methodist Women. She is also a member of the Hickory chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Belinda has an associates degree in Administrative Office Technology from Catawba Valley Community College retired after 25 years from Embarq (formerly Sprint Telephone Company). Belinda and her husband, Robert resides in Newton. She loves reading, traveling and needle crafts.
Roseann Ostrander
Roseann Ostrander began working at our Conover location in March of 2007 as an administrative assistant. She is a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Roseann and her husband, Jon resides in Hickory. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Loretta Kuhn
Loretta S. Kuhn began working at our office at the Hickory location in June of 2007. She had worked with B B & T for 40 years and the Credit Bureau for 10 years. Loretta is a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Hickory. Loretta and her husband, Phillip reside in Hickory. She enjoys gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Dave Blackburn
Funeral Director Assistant
Dave has been with Drum Funeral Home for six years and is a member of Providence Road Baptist Church. He and his wife Doris have been married for 40 years and have two sons, Chris and Eric as well as granddaughter Savannah.
David Byers
Betty Cloninger
Betty H. Cloninger has worked part time helping in the office and working visitations since 2001. She is a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Claremont and serves on the Claremont Recreation Committee. She loves her community and spending time with her family.
Brenda Cooley
Larry Cooley
Judy Cox
John Ervin
John C. Ervin has worked as a Funeral Director Assistant since April of 2006. He is a lifelong resident of Catawba County. He is an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Newton where he serves as an elder, session member and on the property committee. He is a Catawba County ABC Board member and a member of the Auxiliary Deputy for Catawba County Sheriff's Dept. He formerly served on CVCC Motorsports Advisory Board. Married for 35 years to Frances Harbinson Ervin, John and Frances reside in Conover. Veteran crew chief for Nascar racing teams, John was inducted into the Nascar Mechanics Sports Hall of Fame. Before retirement was CFO and Team Manager of Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure in Denver, NC. John enjoys golf and gardening.
Jane Hamilton
Joe Jones
Joe Jones retired after 38 years of service to General Electric. He began working as a part time funeral director assistant in January of 2006. He loves woodworking and also currently works part time for Klingspor Woodworking in Hickory. He is a past Chairman for Catawba County Social Services Board; past Chairman for Catawba County Equalization and Review Board; Catawba County Library Board and he is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Newton where he is an elder. He and his wife, Brenda reside in Conover.
Vivian Jordan
Randy McAfee
Mike McRee
Michael “Mike” E. McRee has worked part time as a funeral director assistant since 2004. He is a physical education teacher at St. Stephens Elementary School in Hickory. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he serves on the church council. He and wife, Carla live in Hickory and have 2 grown sons. He loves to golf and travel.
Harold Miller
Sandra Miller
Sandra Miller has worked part time helping in the office and working receivings for the funeral homes since 2001. Sandra and her husband of 45 years, Terry resides in Claremont. They have 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren. Sandra is a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, where she is a member of church council, handbell choir and communion steward. Also works part time with Claremont Police Department and Claremont City Hall. She loves to walk, listen to Southern Gospel Music and working outside in the yard and garden. Loves to be with her family and friends. Her greatest love is spending time with her grandchildren who are the light of her life.
Troy Noah
Troy Noah began working part time as a funeral director assistant in 2004. Troy retired from Corning after 40 years of service. He is a member of St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Newton. He and his wife, Margaret live in Conover and have 2 grown daughters and 5 grandchildren. He loves to travel, work in the yard and watch Tennessee football.
Gary Patterson
Gary R. Patterson works as a part time Funeral Director Assistant. He has been with the funeral homes since Sept 2004. He serves as a local minister for First Christian Church in Newton and as Chaplain for the American Legion Post #16. He loves reading and stamp collecting. He and his wife reside in Newton.
Norene Setzer
Norene Setzer began working visitations in 2000 after retiring from Human Resources of Bassett Upholstery, after 38 years of service. She is a member of Beth Eden Lutheran Church and works at the Corner Table Soup Kitchen in Newton. Norene lives in Conover and loves being involved in church activites and gardening. She loves spending time with her family and at her lake house.
Thelma Sherrill
Thelma Sherrill works part time as a receptionist for both visitations and the offices of all of our locations. She has worked for our company since July of 2000. She loves reading, shopping and spending time with family and friends. Thelma resides in Newton and has 2 grown sons. She is a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, where she served as church hostess for 7 years. She also volunteers for the American Red Cross Blood service, where she has served for over 27 years. She formerly worked for over 18 years with the Eastern Catawba County Cooperative Christian Ministry.
Betty Spencer
Johnny Wesson
Kaye Williams
Kaye Litten Williams has helped in the office and worked visitations since 1998. She is a member of Faith Lutheran Church; Lenoir-Rhyne College’s Heritage Society; National Education Association; North Carolina Association of Educators; Catawba County Retired School Personnel; North Carolina Retired Government Employees’ Association. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College and retired from Newton-Conover City School after 30 ½ years as a teacher Kaye loves gardening, traveling, and reading. She resides in Conover.
Amber Belvill
Erin Besoiu
Talmadge Cheek
Rosemary Fisher
Carolyn Haas
Bobby Hollar