Meet Our Staff

Shelby Wallis

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Shelby is a lifelong resident of Oklahoma. She attended the University of Central Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science. She joined the Resthaven team in 2012 and continuously strives to go the extra mile for each and every family we serve. Outside of Resthaven, Shelby enjoys fishing and boating, crafting, and furniture restoration projects. She serves as a Director on the board of the Moore Kiwanis Club and has a passion for volunteering at various events, serving in the lives of children throughout our community.  

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Gary Rodgers

Funeral Director & Embalmer

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Mike McElyea

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Mike began in the funeral industry in 1990 with Parks Brothers Funeral Homes in Lincoln County, working alongside his grandmother and uncle. In July 1992 he married Jana Tetirick and they moved to Dallas, Texas, where he began the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in 1993. Following his education he returned back to Oklahoma where he has served in numerous positions in the funeral industry. He joined the Resthaven team in 2020 and strives to go the extra mile for each and every family we serve.  Mike is a member of the Kiwanis Club in Norman, and is a member of Immanuel Baptist Church where he is involved in the sound ministry.  Mike is married to Jana and they have two children, Brandon and Caitlyn.

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Hillary Hatchett

Funeral Director Apprentice

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.  

Amalia Doland

Interpretation Specialist

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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Laci Perez

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Laci is a lifelong resident of Oklahoma and was raised in Edmond. She graduated in 2014 from the University of Central Oklahoma earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Funeral Service with a minor in Grief. She hopes to bring comfort and exhibit compassion to every family who has entrusted her with the care of their loved one. Laci feels very passionate about her work with the March of Dimes and advocating for premature babies. Currently residing in Oklahoma City, Laci attends Life Church and has a blessing of a daughter named Betsy. One of Laci’s favorite activities is attending OKC Thunder games. She loves boston terriers, Dr. Phil and is a die-hard Kevin Bacon fanatic. Her favorite motto is, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” 

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Trang Ha

Licensed Embalmer

Terri Nichols

Funeral Home & Cemetery Records and Contract Processing

Terri feels a passion for helping families in our community. She has been a part of our Resthaven team since 2013. Terri’s favorite aspect of her position at Resthaven is assisting in the creation of personalized stationary packages that capture the essence of the individuals and families that we serve. Terri was born in Oklahoma and has lived in the south Oklahoma City area for most of her life. She has a great husband, four beautiful children and one adorable granddaughter that is the light of her life. She greatly enjoys reading, writing, crafting and spending time with her family.

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Jennifer Mangham

Memorial Ordering and Records Maintenance

Jennifer has been with the Resthaven family since September 2017.  She was born and raised in the Moore area, graduating from Westmoore in 1997.  Jennifer received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma in 2002. She spent over 20 years in restaurant management before joining the Resthaven team.  Jennifer has been married to her wonderful husband, Jason, since 2000 and together they have two children, Evan and Madison.  In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys watching her son play baseball, listening to her daughter sing, and spending time with her husband renovating their rental properties.   Jennifer enjoys helping families memorialize their loved ones.  She also takes pride in helping to ensure that Resthaven Memory Gardens is well maintained and upholds the high standards we strive for.  

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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 and economics at the Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City and 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 25 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

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 wants very much 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 team for four years and has owned a First Aid Business, which restocks first aid kits, for 15 years. 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 assists families and Funeral Directors before, during, and after a funeral celebration. He is a graduate of Capitol Hill High School and Central State College. Gary had a career in sales for 35 years until his retirement. Gary is married and has a daughter and granddaughter. He also volunteers at Will Rogers Airport Military Welcome Center. He is very glad to teach Sunday School as well as playing volleyball at Oklahoma City Community College.

David Roberts

Ambassador

Ambassador David has been part of Resthaven for the past year. David helps and prepares for all types of funeral services and always wants to be of service to others. He is married and is active in the city of Moore by serving on the City Council. He greatly enjoys playing golf.

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 2011.

Robert O'Dor

Ambassador

Robert has been with our team over a year and a half and enjoys assisting families and other staff members with funeral ceremonies and all of 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, Eric and Jennifer; two grandchildren, Evan and Madison; and a dog, Jackson.

Dr. Danny Frazee

Ambassador

Pastor Danny 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 for nine years. A native of Blackwell, Danny earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern State University, a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Theological Seminary. Danny has served on the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma board of directors and as chairman of the BGCO nominating committee. He has also served in various leadership roles with the Capital Baptist Association. Danny and his wife, Judy, have two children, Woody and Rachel, as well as four grandchildren, Deacon, Delanie, Hagen, and Hudson. Danny joined the Resthaven team in November 2016 and is happy to help families through difficult times.

Mason Polk

Ambassador

Born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Mason moved to the area when he was in college and 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 and takes joy in training young men and women who are going into the ministry.  He and his wife Karinda are the parents of a beautiful little girl, Adley Jo.  Since September of 2019 Mason has had the privilege of serving families at Resthaven.

Matthew Allen

Ambassador

Jerry Willey

Ambassador

Sharon Anderson

Family Service Counselor

Sharon has been with Resthaven since 2011. She is passionate about serving at work and also helps families to understand the importance of pre-planning.  When Sharon is not working, she enjoys serving at her church and spending time with family and friends.

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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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Jay Berry

Family 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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Anne Richard

Family Service Counselor

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Billy Payahsape

Family Service Counselor

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Thomas Bates

Family Service Counselor

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Laquita Jones

Hospitality

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.

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.

Sydnee Gunter

Hospitality

Mary Williams

Hospitality

Mary began working at Resthaven December 2007.  Mary finds it rewarding to be a part of this team, and with a kind heart and a warm smile, she feels gratitude to be able to assist families at their time of need.  Mary enjoys her church and church families, and her time is filled with travel, shopping, reading, and fun of entertaining two very special furbabies.

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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Richard Willis

Cemetery Grounds Foreman

Richard has lived in the south Oklahoma City/Moore area for more than 20 years. He is a native Oklahoman and has been with Resthaven for many years. He enjoys all sports and also working to improve the cemetery grounds.

Luis Batras

Grounds & Interments

Patrick Martin

Memorial Installation

Ray Logan

Grounds & Interments

Ryan Gosh

Grounds & Interments

Paul Box

In Loving Memory: May 29, 1931 ~ November 28, 2014

Paul enjoys cars of all kinds. He has been part of the Resthaven team for two years. He is also well known in the south Oklahoma City/Moore area for his ministry as a Baptist Minister. He loves spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He wants to help people and appreciates working with our great team at Resthaven. Helping with funeral celebrations of all kinds is rewarding to him.