Meet Our Staff

Jason "Jay" Arnold

Funeral Director & Embalmer ~ Certified Crematory Operator

Jay joined our team in 2021 after relocating with his family from the Seattle area. He brings with him 21 years of funeral directing experience.  Jay graduated with a Mortuary Science degree from Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. When not at work Jay enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking and being outdoors. 

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Kirsten E. Johnson

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kirsten originally joined the Resthaven team in 2018 as an apprentice funeral director and embalmer. While working on her Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science through the University of Central Oklahoma, Kirsten decided to move back to Western Oklahoma to be near her hometown of Hydro. Once she completed her licensure, she slowly made her way back up towards Oklahoma City before rejoining the Resthaven team. Kirsten is currently working on her Master’s in Education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She plans to become a Funeral Service professor while continuing to serve families. Outside of Resthaven, Kirsten enjoys spending time with her loved ones, reading books, and going to the dog park with her dog, Daisy. 

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Aaron Brown

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Katie Pierce

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Katie was born and raised in the South OKC/ Moore area and is an alumna of Moore High School. She attended the University of Central Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science and was an active member of the Delta Zeta sorority. Katie was a proud participant of the 2014-2015 TEAM South- Class VII through the South OKC Chamber of Commerce. She has also been a volunteer mentor with the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League since July 2015, and is a current member of Women of the South. Katie loves spending time with her two dogs: Lola and Reggie, laughing, adventures, and baking.

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Kristen Wajda

Apprentice Funeral Director & Embalmer

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Hillary Hatchett

Funeral Service Assistant

Hillary was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  She currently lives in Oklahoma City with her daughter.  Hillary currently attends the University of Central Oklahoma pursuing her degree in funeral service.  She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and going on adventures.  

Trang Ha

Licensed Embalmer

Alpha Alex

Apprentice Funeral Director & Embalmer

Carri Hames

Family Service Counselor

Carri has been with the Resthaven family since October 2015. She was born and raised in Norman and is an alumna of the University of Central Oklahoma. Carri enjoys educating families on the importance of pre-planning their final wishes for the future. She is also passionate about helping families through one of the most difficult times of their lives and feels rewarded when she can make things easier for them. In her free time, Carri enjoys traveling with her family and spending time with her son.

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Lydia Mitchell

Family Service Counselor

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Jay Berry

Community Service Counselor

Jay was born in Oklahoma and has lived here all his life.  Married to his wife Jane for 38 years, they have raised 2 boys and now have 5 grandchildren.  Jay enjoys his family and having them over for game nights and food.  He has been with Resthaven for a year and finds helping people through the most difficult days of their life a rewarding role to play.

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Juana Maria Rueda

Community Service Preplanning Specialist

My name is Juana Maria Rueda. I was born in Mexico, where I went to college and received a bachelor’s in accounting. .I have two beautiful daughters of which I am very proud of, I’m a mother with a heart split in two since one of my girls graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and my other daughter graduated from the University of Oklahoma in Norman. I consider myself a woman who is always positive and happy and these attributes have helped me in my career in  serving others with a servant heart.

Yesenia Ramirez

Community Service Preplanning Specialist

Steve Hiebsch

Ambassador

Steve, an ambassador at Resthaven since 2010, was previously employed by Oklahoma Gas & Electric for 30 years.  In addition to helping our families prepare for funeral celebrations, he also teaches statistics at Randall University in Moore.  He graduated with a B.A. from Southwestern College in Kansas and a Master's in Economics from Oklahoma State University.  He and his family have lived in the south Oklahoma City/Moore area for over 30 years.  While at OG&E, he met his wife, Jimmi.  He loves spending time with his family, which includes his wife and four children, their spouses, and five grandchildren.  He and his wife attend Southern Hills Baptist Church.

Ermon Dyer

Ambassador

Ermon is the senior member of our ambassador staff.  He has served as an ambassador at Resthaven for over 20 years.  After high school, Ermon joined the United States Air Force and served for eight years in the 9th Weather Ring.  He then went on to work at Tinker Air Force Base as a civilian, retiring in 1986.  Ermon loves sports of all kinds.  He officiated high school football for 21 years and basketball for 16 years.  He is an avid fan of OU, OSU, and OU Women’s Softball.  In addition, he loves meeting people and making friends wherever he goes.  Ermon’s passion is serving others.  Having lost his wife over 10 years ago, he understands the pain of losing a loved one and truly goes above and beyond to help anyone in any way he can.  In addition, he enjoys fellowship with the rest of the team at Resthaven and enjoys working with them.

Jimmy Howard

Ambassador

Jimmy has a passion for providing service for families during the loss of loved ones. He has been working at Resthaven for over three years. He addresses any need that arises at a funeral celebration. He was born and raised in Holdenville, Oklahoma, and after relocating to the south Oklahoma City/Moore area, he became part of our team. Jimmy served two years in the military and was a self-employed business owner for 35 years. He is an avid University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University fan and enjoys collecting coins. He is married and has two sons and three grandsons.

Eddie Tomlinson

Ambassador

It is very important to Eddie to help our families through these difficult times because he lost important members of his own family at very early ages.  He very much wants to be a part of something that makes a difference in our world and does that by helping prepare for funeral celebrations.  He has been a part of the Resthaven family for over 10 years.  Eddie, the owner of a First Aid Business for over 20 years, where he restocks first aid kits for many business and government agencies.  He is married and has two beautiful daughters.  He loves to play the guitar and enjoys recording music with his daughters in his home studio.

Gary H Pitzer

Ambassador

Gary, for over 10 years, has assisted families and the Resthaven team before, during, and after funeral celebrations.  He is a proud graduate of Capitol Hill High School and Central State College (now University of Central Oklahoma).  Gary is a veteran of the U.S. Army.  He had a career in sales for 35 years until his retirement.  Gary is married and has a daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.  He is active in his church.  He has stayed fit by regularly playing volleyball and has for many years.  He is an avid OU football fan.

Jack Poe

Ambassador

Jack has been a part of the Resthaven family since July 2015 and loves caring for the families that we serve and making a difference in their lives during difficult times. He received a seminary degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Phillips University. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard as a chaplain and retired as the State Chaplain at the rank of Colonel. He joined the Oklahoma City Police Department as a chaplain and was involved in setting up their peer support program and also served as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma Baptist University. He and his wife Phyllis have been trained in family counseling. Jack has conducted multiple seminars throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2003, Jack received the United States Secret Service Certificate of Appreciation and was inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2010.

Robert O'Dor

Ambassador

Robert has been with our ambassador team since 2014.  He is dedicated to assisting families and other staff members with funeral ceremonies and all the preparation involved in them.  Originally from Healdton, Oklahoma, he and his wife, Debbie, are current residents of Moore.  He loves to work in his yard, go fishing, watch NASCAR, and watch his grandchildren play Little League sports.   He has two children, two grandchildren and a dog, Jackson.  He is an avid OU football fan.

Dr. Danny Frazee

Ambassador

Danny joined the Resthaven team in 2016 and is happy to help families through difficult times.  He served as pastor at Wilmont Place Baptist Church for over 20 years.  Prior to entering full-time ministry, he was a public-school teacher and coach.  A native of Blackwell, Danny earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University, a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary.  Danny has served on the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma board of directors.  Currently, he is a bi-vocational pastor at Southmoore Baptist Church.  Danny and his wife, Judy, have two children, as well as four grandchildren.

Mason Polk

Ambassador

Since 2019, Mason has had the privilege of serving families at Resthaven.  He was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas; moving to the Oklahoma City area when he was in college.  He decided to stay after he took the pastorate of a church in Oklahoma City.  Mason now serves as an administrator at Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma.  Training young men and women going into the ministry gives Mason great joy.  He and his wife, Karinda, are the parents of a beautiful little girl.  

Mel McDaniel

Ambassador

Carmen Tomayo

Memorial Administration & Cemetery Records Maintenance

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Milly Filomeno

Contract Processing & Cemetery Records Maintenance

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Jimmi Hiebsch

Hospitality

Jimmi has been a part of the Resthaven family since October 2014.  She is honored to be available for families during visitations as well as helping families find their loved ones in our gardens.  She loves assisting the families and her co-workers any way she can.  Prior to working at Resthaven , she worked for 21 years at  Oklahoma Gas & Electric,,  where she met her husband, Steve, who is also a part of the Resthaven family.  After their marriage she worked for her dad’s oil company until his death and the closure of the company.  She and Steve have four beautiful children and five amazing grandchildren.  Spending time with those grandchildren puts a huge smile on her face and is the joy of her life.  Her other favorite things are family, travel and yard work.

Billie Sherga

Family Center Concierge

Rita Bornoff

Hospitality

Rita has been with Resthaven for almost two years and works as a receptionist. She enjoys assisting families with visitation, as well as events in our Family Life Center. In her free time, she loves sewing, enjoying music, shopping, and being with her wonderful family. A former employee of Southwestern Bell, Rita is thankful to be part of our Resthaven team.

Sydney Niblett

Front Desk Receptionist

Laquita Jones

Retired - Receptionist

Laquita feels very blessed to be able to work with and be part of the team at Resthaven and considers all to be a part of her extended family. She has been with Resthaven for over 13 years. She is a retired music and first grade teacher. Her special joys include doll making, sewing and playing all kinds of music. She has been married for 50 years and has one very special daughter and a granddaughter. She and her husband have traveled extensively in the USA and around the world, but she is glad to be home in Oklahoma. Laquita retired from her full time Receptionist role at Resthaven in November 2022 after over 20 years service. 

Phyllis Poe

Hospitality

Phyllis was born in Altus, Oklahoma. Phyllis and her husband, Jack, pastored churches for 23 years in Texas and Oklahoma before becoming chaplains of the Oklahoma City Police Department. They served there from 1984 until retirement on December 31, 2011. Phyllis coordinated the chaplain and pastor response to the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 and helped set up and organize the Chaplain's Corner for the Oklahoma State Fair. Phyllis is an active member of the Emmaus Baptist Church, where she sings in the choir and teaches a ladies' Sunday school class. Phyllis and Jack are faithful volunteers at the Veterans Corner, Inc. each week. Phyllis has two children, David and Robin, three grandchildren, and four great granddaughters.

Paulia Merrell

Hospitality

Stan Doland

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Dallas Osborn

Memorial Installation Specialist

Carlos Chaidez

Grounds Maintenance

Symon Wallace

Grounds Maintenance

Cameron Brewer

Grounds Maintenance

David Roberts

Ambassador

In Loving Memory

May 2, 1939 ~ January 18, 2023

Paul Box

Ambassador

In Loving Memory

May 29, 1931 ~ November 28, 2014