Funeral Home & Crematory Staff
Joel Vandemore
Funeral Director and Owner
Joel is the owner and president of Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory. A native of Atkinson, Joel is the second generation to serve the families of Atkinson and Geneseo in their time of need. He graduated from Atkinson High School, Black Hawk College, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science.
Joel is active in several community organizations and has two daughters, Emma and Mia.
Telephone: 1-309-944-1415
Brett VanDeWoestyne
Funeral Assistant and Certified Pet Loss Professional
Brett has been with Vandemore Funeral Home since 2003 and has managed Vandemore Pet Cremations since it opened in 2009. Brett is a Certified Pet Loss professional, crematory operator and is certified in pet grief companioning. He is also a licensed life insurance producer.
Brett is an active member in the Pet Loss Professional, Alliance (PLPA), Geneseo Kiwanis Club, and St. Malachy Catholic Church. He is a licensed pilot, enjoys riding his motorcycle, and following his children's many activities. Brett resides in Geneseo with his wife Renee and their two children, Nathan and Katie, and their pet Coco.
Telephone: 1-309-944-1498
Kathleen Repass
Advance Planning and Aftercare Manager
Kathleen joined Vandemore Funeral Home in 2016. She is a licensed life insurance provider, which allows her to assist families with pre-need planning. She visits families after funerals, to offer support information and to share conversation about their new life journey.
She grew up on a farm in rural Milan, graduated from Northern Illinois University and University of Houston, and spent thirteen years living in Texas. Her community involvement currently includes serving as a Commissioner for the Geneseo Park District, as a member of Rotary, and a Hammond Henry Hospital committee, and the executive team for the Seth Ernst Memorial Soccer Slam. She is active at St. Malachy Catholic Church in a variety of roles.
Kathleen loves to travel, and discover new adventures whenever an opportunity presents itself. Her children, Claire, Wolfe and Camille all live in the Denver area, and are frequent participants in her travels and adventures.
Telephone: 1-309-944-1415
Victor Dzekunskas, Jr.
Funeral Director
Victor joined the Vandemore team in 2012. He has been a licensed funeral director for 25 years. He graduated from Geneseo High School in 1989, where he played baseball and ran cross country. He spent three years in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electrician.
Victor has two children, Christian and Millie, and three step-children, Mason, Brandon, and Lauron. He lives in Atkinson with his wife Amy. Victor enjoys golfing and walking the canal with Amy and his two dogs, Lylee and Lena.
Telephone: 1-309-944-1415
Joann Vandemore
Funeral Assistant and Greeter
With Loving Memories
March 18, 1932 ~ November 20, 2017
Joann was born on March 18,1932 the daughter of Joseph B. and Helen (Causemaker) Vandemore, in Atkinson. She graduated from Atkinson High School, and furthered her education at Stephens College. In her early years, Joann modeled for the Peterson Harned Von Maur Department Store in Davenport. She was a funeral assistant for Vandemore Funeral Home, starting with her father Joe, and continuing with her nephew, Joel Vandemore. She assisted many families through their losses over many years, and she was cherished by them for her gentle and sincere presence.
Joann was a lifetime member of St. Anthony Catholic Church where she served on the Altar & Rosary Society, and the St. Anthony’s Cookbook committee, of which she was very proud of the monies raised for the parish. She cherished the friendships she created throughout her years serving St. Anthony Catholic Church. Joann had a love and passion for horses. She raised and showed many throughout her life. Joann also loved her dogs, Irish Setters and Italian Greyhound. She was an avid, lifetime Chicago White Sox and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan. She loved Atkinson and was dedicated to it until the end.
Stan Causemaker
Funeral Assistant
Stan "Toot" Causemaker has served as a Funeral Assistant since June, 2000. He retired from International Harvester, in Indianapolis and returned to his home town of Atkinson, Illinois.
Toot is a member of St.Anthony Catholic Church, and has served on the Strategic Planning Committee. Toot has four children, and seven grandchildren. His wife, Sallye, passed away several years ago.
Toot is married to Jean and together they have ten children, 24 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Their grandchildren's many activities keep them busy.
When Toot is not working he enjoys fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Maurice Atwell
Funeral Assistant
Maurice “Morry” Atwell joined Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory in 2011. He assists with funerals, maintenance, and landscaping. He previously worked for UPS, at the Davenport facility, as a feeder driver, retiring in 2011.
Morry is an active member at the Geneseo Historical Museum where he presides as Vice President. He also volunteers for the Backpack Blessings program benefiting students in the Geneseo school district. Morry resides in Geneseo with his wife, Julie. He has two children, Rachel (Raleigh, NC) and Michael (Denver, CO).
Terry Henderson
Funeral Assistant
Mary Ellen Cauwels
Funeral Greeter
Mary Ellen grew up on a farm south of Atkinson, attended a country grade school and went to St. Mary's Academy, Nauvoo for high school. Her first job right out of high school was at Federal North Iowa Grain Co. as an administrative assistant.
In 1959, Bob and Mary Ellen were married. They have four children, 11 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Mary Ellen has been a visitation and funeral greeter with Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory since the Geneseo location opened in 2003.
Janel Vandemore
Accounting/Office Manager and Owner
Janel Vandemore was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa, where she graduated with a degree in history. She holds a Master's Degree in Educational Administration and taught in the Social Studies Department at Bettendorf High School for 15 years. While there, she served as the dance team and cheer squad coach and as an adviser for a very large and active Student Council.
After taking some time off to stay home with her children, she served as office manager and secretary at Vandemore Funeral Home. Janel returned to the classroom in 2015 and is currently, in addition to her duties as bookkeeper at the funeral home, the 6th grade teacher at St. Malachy School. When not working, Janel loves supporting her children in their activities, traveling, reading, being active and outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
Brandy Stockton
Office Manager
Brandy Stockton is the office manager at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory. Brandy has over 30 years of experience in the clerical field with a strong background in customer support.
Brandy is married to Duke. They have two children, Travis and Cheyenne, and two grandchildren, Emmett and Everly. When Brandy is not working, she enjoys traveling with her husband and horses looking for new places to trail ride. She enjoys sorting cattle from horseback and especially loves spending time with her grand-kids.
Telephone: 1-309-944-1415
Chris Verbeke
Funeral Assistant and Maintenance
Chris joined Vandemore Funeral Home in July of
2019. He just retired after 40 years as a professional painter in various
capacities. This includes 8 years in the U.S. Air Force, working for Boeing in
Saudi Arabia, and for a local paint contractor for the last 22 years. As a
person with a strong customer service background and his attention to detail,
he looks forward to using these skills in his new role.
Chris is married to Janice. They have three children, Monae, Jared and Tyler,
and two grandchildren, Aiden and Ayla. Chris has many interests. He loves and
restores classic cars, fishing, landscaping, refurbishing furniture and
reading. He loves his time with family and friends.
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