Our first priority is making sure the families we serve receive
the very finest service and continuing care possible.
Charles Gus G. Kurrus graduated from Signal Hill School in 1948 and from Belleville Township High School in 1952. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Westminster College as well as a degree in Mortuary Science from Worsham College. Charles has been and is still very active in the community, including:St. Matthew United Methodist Church
- Member of Finance, Budget, and Endowment Committees
Local Banks
- Former Bankers’ Trust Board Member
- Charter member of West Pointe Bank and Trust
Masonic
- East Lodge 504 AF & AM
- Scottish Rite Bodies 33rd degree
- York Rite Bodies
- Ainad Shrine (Ritualistic Cast)
- Numerous other Masonic groups
Others
- Past President of Optimist, Boys Club, United Fund, and St. Clair County Funeral Directors Association
- Board Member of the YMCA, Rotary Club, and Junior Achievement.
Charles resides in Belleville, Illinois.
Dale A. Kurrus graduated from Signal Hill School in 1975 and from Belleville Township High School West in 1979. During his high school and college years, Dale worked at the funeral home washing cars, cutting the lawns, and doing other general maintenance. He attended Greenville College for 3 years, studying business. In 1983, he graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a Mortuary Science Degree. Dale joined the firm on its 100th anniversary, becoming the 5th generation in funeral service. Dale currently holds Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in Illinois and Missouri and is a licensed Illinois insurance agent. Dale has always been and continues to be very active in the community, including:
- Past President, and Former Board Member, and current volunteer for the Violence Prevention Center
- St. Matthew United Methodist Church and Orchestra
- Past President of St. Clair County Funeral Directors Association
- Former Treasurer and Board Member for St. Pauls Home for the Aged
- Yorktown Tuesday Night Golf League
Masonic
- Gothic Lodge #852 AF & AM
- Scottish Rite Bodies
- Ainad Shrine (Past President of the Brass Band 2009-2010)
Dale and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Megan and Shane. Dale and Lisa reside in Millstadt, Illinois.
In the firm’s 130th year, Shane A. Kurrus began working side-by-side with his father and grandfather in continuing the service, commitment, and tradition of the Kurrus family. Shane is a graduate of Harmony-Emge- Ellis Grade School and Belleville Township High School West. In June 2013, he graduated from his father’s alma mater, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, with a Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science; and in 2015 he earned his Master’s degree from Lindenwood University in Business Administration. He is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and a certified crematory operator. In 2020, he became a member of Masonic Gothic Lodge #852 AF & AM and joined the Board of Director’s for Family Hospice in Belleville.
Shane married the love of his life, Paige, on June 1st of 2019. He is the sixth generation of the Kurrus family to serve the community and is the proud father of three sons; Oliver, Lucah, and Ashton Kurrus. They reside in Swansea, IL.
Ryan Hetman joined our family in 2014, after completing his apprenticeship in Marion, IL. He is a graduate from St. Louis Community College Forest Park. He is a licensed Embalmer – Funeral Director also a licensed crematory operator and has a fervent desire to help with your loved ones. He currently resides in the Belleville area with his wife of 10 years and 3 children ranging in age from 7 to his latest born in 2019. He was born and raised in the Phoenix Arizona area and has also lived in the Pacific Northwest.
David Casson, Jr.
He was born in East St. Louis, lived in Washington Park, and just beginning third grade moved the Signal Hill area of Belleville. He graduated from Belleville West in 1972 and from Illinois State University in 1977 . David started working as a Boilermaker out of Local 27 in St. Louis, Mo during the fall of 1971 and became a member in 1976. After college, he held several leadership positions as a Boilermaker, worked in management related positions including Lead Superintendent, Project Manager and Safety Manager for several major Boilermaker contractors. He now resides in Collinsville with his wife, Sandra, stepfather of two children and a proud grandfather of a nine year old granddaughter and two year old grandson. A Master Mason and actively involved with the Ainad Shriners serving on the Divan, Membership chairman, and various other activities. He stays busy with the Scottish Rite and on the Children’s Dyslexia Center Board of Directors. In his spare time, he plays in a golf league and enjoys life and helping others.
Robert “Bob” Curtis joined our staff on November 1, 2020, and is a certified crematory operator trained through Matthews Cremations Division who received an AAS Degree from St. Louis Community College in Mortuary Science. Bob Grew up in Collinsville, Belleville, and Fairmont City, and graduated from Collinsville High School in 1991. Some of his favorite childhood memories include: eating cheeseburgers at Papa K’s, watching Star Wars movies at the Skyview Drive-in, exploring the Cahokia Mounds with his friends and enjoying a Heavenly Hash ice cream shake at the Dairy Haven in Caseyville.
Prior to entering funeral service, Bob served for 8 years active duty in the United States Marine Corp where he was stationed in San Diego, Los Angeles, Yuma and Japan as an FA-18 aviation mechanic. He also served onboard USS Lincoln aircraft carrier as a part of their flight deck crew. After his honorable discharge he returned home to Illinois to be closer to his family where he worked as an aviation mechanic and a Corrections Officer with State of Missouri Department of Corrections while pursuing his mortuary degree.
He is a huge automotive enthusiast and Star Wars fan. He currently resides in Dupo with his new wife Angi and their spunky dog Cayde.
Natalie Cartolano grew up in Burbank, Illinois and is a 2009 graduate of Reavis High School. She Received her bachelors in Arts in Cinema and Photography and a Bachelors in Mortuary Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2017. She currently resides in Belleville. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, watching suspense movies, and taking photographs. Natalie is the proud parent of her pet cat, Zell, and her pet gecko, Ragnar. She joined the Kurrus Family in march, 2020. She has a tremendous passion for helping others and is a true joy to work with.
Loretta Davidson joined the Kurrus administrative staff on a part time basis in 2022. Prior to that, she worked as a Human Resource Director. She currently resides in Belleville with her husband, Jim, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Loretta is the Recording Secretary of the St. Clair County Division of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and loves to travel.
