History & Staff

About Us

History & Staff

Our History

Our history begins in 1933 when W. E. and Willie Jane Holman opened the first full service funeral home in Lebanon, Missouri. This was a new concept as the area had previously been served only by "store front" undertakers. The idea of having a place where the service could be held other than a home or church was a new concept to the area.

Soon after the beginning, a young high school graduate, Dorsey M. Howe, spent the summer of 1934 with the Holman's as they completed their first year in business. After attending college, Howe returned to the Holman's in 1939 and began an association that culminated with him taking over the funeral home as his very own.

Through the years the funeral home business grew and the firm operated 24 hour emergency ambulance service. As the years passed the Holman's retired and passed the ownership to Dorsey and Bethel Howe. Later the Howe's were joined by their son, Kenneth. As the business grew new additions to the building were necessary to meet the needs of the familes being served. In 1986 a new chapel addition was completed. In 2000 a large addition was completed adding visitation rooms, selection and preparation room as well as a large attached garage area. In 2007 a large parking lot was completed.

Matthew Shannon a native of Mountain Grove, MO joined the company in 2005 and serves as general manager of the home office. In 2009 he became executive vice-president and chief financial officer of the company and retains his position as general manager of Lebanon, the home office. Kenneth and Valerie Howe are active in the daily management of the company with Ken serving as chief executive officer. Other longtime staff members Clifford Sheets who served 53 years on the Holman-Howe staff and Grace Simpson, who served 30 years. Nina Griffith served 10 years.

(1)1955 Cadillac Hearse | (2) Funeral Home 1955 | (3) Staff 1983, Dorsey & Bethel Howe,Kenneth & Valerie Howe, Clifford Sheets, & Grace Simpson

Kenneth Howe CFSP President, Chief Executive Officer, Owner

Kenneth R. Howe is a resident of Lebanon and grew up in his family business. He is a graduate of Lebanon High School, Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Southwest Baptist University, and Missouri State University. He is an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Lebanon Rotary Club (past president), Former Chairman of the Mercy Hospital Foundation,and the President of the Mercy Board of Directors. He is a former chairman and member of the Missouri State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He was named the 2012 Funeral Director of the Year by the American Funeral Director magazine and is active in the daily management of the family business. His firm was awarded the 2015 NFDA "Best of the Best" Award.
Valerie Howe Funeral Director, Owner

Valerie Howe is a lifelong resident of Lebanon, Missouri and a graduate of Lebanon High School and Southwest Baptist University. She taught in the Lebanon Public Schools before becoming a “stay at home” mom. Valerie is an active mom, and is a licensed funeral director and assists at the funeral home. She is also active in the women’s ministry of her church and is a speaker on Ladies Ministry issues in the Missouri Baptist Convention. In addition to making speaking engagements, writing as a published author, and hosting a daily radio devotional minute, Valerie is currently a household executive with a husband, five adult children, two grandchild, four dogs, and a cat. Valerie is a fast-paced and witty speaker, motivating her audiences to action. She loves the Lord and has completed many hours of training in education, leadership, discipleship, and Bible Study. Valerie is certified with the John Maxwell Team and is a Missouri Women’s Missionary Union Adult Specialist.
Taylor Dorsey Howe Vice President, Funeral Director/Embalmer

Taylor D. Howe is a lifelong resident of Lebanon and a graduate of Lebanon High School. He graduated from Southwest Baptist University and Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Missouri Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.Taylor is a member at Heritage Baptist Church along with his wife Caitlin, and three children; Ainsley, Duke, and Ellis. In 2022 Taylor became a licensed pilot.
Matthew Shannon CFSP, MBIE. Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, and Corporate Secretary

Matthew grew up in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and is a graduate of the Mountain Grove Christian Academy. He is also a graduate of the John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, Tennessee. Matthew currently serves as Executive Vice President, and Secretary on the board of directors, and as Chief Financial Officer of Holman-Howe Funeral Homes. He is a Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Pre-Need counselor. Matthew has also served on the board of directors of the Lebanon Family YMCA and is immediate past President of the Lebanon Rotary Club, and on the board of directors of John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Missouri Funeral Directors Association, International Cemetery, Cremation, Funeral Association, Member of The British Institute of Embalmers, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners. His greatest joy in life is his children Harley, Gabriella, Isabella, and Tucker.
Brett Eidson CFSP Chief Operations Officer, and Corporate Treasurer

Brett grew up in Camdenton, Missouri and graduated from Camdenton High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and his A.A.S. in Mortuary Science from Arkansas State University in Mountain Home, Arkansas, where he currently serves on the Advisory Board for the School of Funeral Science. Brett is the past Treasurer of the Wright County Emergency Services Board, Past President of the Mansfield Community Center and the Mansfield Area Community Betterment Organization, he formerly served on the board of the Wright County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and is a member of the Seymour, Missouri Lions Club. He is currently serving as the President of Lake Valley Golf and County Club in Camdenton and the Chairman of the Camden County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund Board. He is also a member of Union Southern Baptist Church in Decaturville, Missouri, NFDA, and MFDA and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
Stuart L. Gilstrap CFSP Funeral Director, Office Manager

Stuart grew up in Independence, Missouri, and graduated from Van Horn High School, Southwest Baptist University, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Stuart is an experienced funeral director with a passion for ministering to families. He has also served several years as an associate pastor in Missouri, Indiana, and Washington. He and his wife Julie Rayl-Gilstrap are active members of Heritage Baptist Church and are enjoying life with their eleven grandchildren. Stuart is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
John Waters CFSP, MBIE Funeral Director/Embalmer
Nancy Russell Administrative Assistant

Nancy Russell joined the Holman-Howe Funeral Home staff in October of 2018 as an administrative assistant. She and her husband, Steve, moved to Lebanon in 2002 and have four children, Blake, Amy, Ashley, and Keith. She has five beautiful granddaughters, Sarah, Brooke, Caroline, Caitlin, and Ava.She and her husband are members at Second Baptist Church where Nancy is the Music Director.In her spare time, Nancy enjoys cooking, playing the piano and singing. She enjoys watching basketball and football and game shows.
Charity Nelson Publications
Johnathan West Funeral Directors Assistant
Bradley Arnold Maintenance Director
Maxine Kincheloe Hospitality Director/Funeral Assistant

Maxine Kincheloe is a lifelong resident of the Lebanon community. For many years, she and her husband, Ellis, owned and operated Kincheloe Photography in Lebanon. Maxine has served on the Holman-Howe staff since 2003 and is a tireless inspiration to the rest of the staff as receptionist, director’s assistant and director of “hospitality” for the funeral home. She attends each service and visitation as well attends the office as necessary. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon.
Nathan Shannon Cemetery Operations Management

Nathan Shannon is a native of Mountain Grove, Missouri and a graduate of the Mountain Grove High School. And attended college at Ozark's Technical College. He is responsible for the day to day operations at Mount Rose Memorial Park. This includes all the things necessary to insure the continued beauty of the park.
Mike Groom Custodian

Mike is a longtime resident of Lebanon. He serves as custodian and begins his workday at 6 a.m.each day. He is a dedicated worker and also serves part time as custodian at First Baptist Church in Lebanon. Mike also serves as a reading mentor helping local children.
Jack Parscale 1949 - 2023

Jack Parscale was raised in Clinton, Missouri, and graduated from Clinton High School and Central Methodist University. After teaching elementary school music in Lebanon for several years, he owned and operated the Flower Boutique in downtown Lebanon. He was the Office manager of Holman-Howe for 25 years and was a licensed funeral director. He was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. May his memory be eternal.
Sue Anderson Receptionist

Sue is a longtime resident of Lebanon. She serves as a receptionist and hostess during evenings and weekends.
Paula Walters Receptionist

Paula is a longtime resident of Lebanon. She serves as a receptionist and hostess on evenings and weekends.
Tim P. Dollins Aftercare Specialist

Timothy was born and raised in the Bootheel of Missouri in his hometown of Kennett. He has been married to Cammy for 32 years. They have a son, Aaron who is married and has 2 children. Jordan is their daughter who is married with 2 children as well. Timothy is a Licensed Assemblies of God minister and served in many pastoral capacities. Timothy has lived in Lebanon for the past 12 years and proudly serves as Family Services Counselor for Holman Howe.
Justin Mather Funeral Director/Embalmer

Justin Mather, a lifelong resident of Lebanon and a graduate of Lebanon High School. Justin is a political science graduate at SBU, and a graduate Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas. He is also a member of First United Methodist Church in Lebanon.