Our first priority is making sure the families we serve receive
the very finest service and continuing care possible.

Charles “Gus” G. Kurrus III  – Owner/Funeral Director

Charles 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  – Owner/Funeral Director

Dale 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.

Shane A. Kurrus  – Owner/Funeral Director

In the firm’s 130th year, Shane 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 (Past Master as of 2026) and joined the Board of Director’s for Family Hospice in Belleville. He is also a Past President of the St. Clair County Funeral Directors Association (2025).

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 HetmanFuneral Director

Ryan 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.

Natalie Cartolano  Funeral Director

Natalie 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.

David Casson, Jr.  Funeral Assistant

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.

Jessi Brown  Office Administrator

Jessi joined the Kurrus Administrative Staff in 2025. Prior to that she managed local cemeteries. She grew up in Aurora, Illinois and is a 2008 graduate of Fontbonne University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She currently resides in Mascoutah with her 2 children, Ethan and June and 2 fur babies, Dory and Dazzle. She enjoys spending her time scrapbooking and traveling.

Morgan Calvert  Office Assistant

Morgan joined the Kurrus administrative staff in 2025. She is currently a student at Southwestern Illinois College. After receiving her associate’s degree from SWIC, she plans to attend Forest Park, pursuing Mortuary Sciences and starting her path to become a funeral director. Morgan currently lives in Belleville with her parents and beloved cats, Birdie and Punkin. In her free time, she enjoys playing competitive tennis, baking, and reading.

Becky Juelfs  Office Assistant

Becky Joined the Kurrus Staff in 2025. She has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and master’s degree in education from Greenville College and recently retired after 37 years as a teacher. Becky lives in Millstadt with her husband Mark, twins: Trevor and Craig, a Dalmation named Halligan, an orange cat named General, and a bearded dragon named Norbert. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa, and the Millstadt Historical Society, and teaches Bible class to 4-5 year olds at Kirkwood church of Christ in Missouri. In her spare time, she loves reading and traveling.

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