Staff

Robert Herr

Robert Herr is 1963 graduate of Collinsville High School and 1966 graduate from Southern Illinois University in Mortuary Science. He was the founding secretary of the Sigma Phi Sigma Mortuary Science fraternity. Some of his other accomplishments include:

• 1974-Distinguished Service Award from the City of Collinsville
• 1975-Citizen of the year from the Collinsville Lions Club
• 1988-City of Collinsville Spirit of Excellence Award
• 1992-Collinsville High School Alumni Achievement Award
• 1996-David Lee Hoskin Jr. Humanitarian Award
• 1996-Victor Williams Kiwanis Memorial Award

Robert serves on the Anderson Hospital Board of Directors and is still a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Historical Committee. He is also a former member of the Collinsville Memorial Public Library Board, Collinsville YMCA Board, Bi-State Chapter Red Cross Board, and past Vice-Chairman for Collinsville Redevelopement Commission. Some of his interests include computers, motorcycling, sailing, and collecting funeral service memorabilia. e-mail: Robert Herr

Barry Wilson

• 1994-95-Kiwanian Of The Year Award
• January 2000 - Kiwanis George F. Hixson Fellowship Award

Barry Wilson grew up in Collinsville, attended Collinsville High School, played basketball for the Kahoks, and also was the first baseman for the Kahoks 1980 State Championship Baseball Team. He joined Herr Funeral Home in 1978 and worked doing general maintenance, lawn mowing, and keeping the funeral cars clean. After three summers, he decided to go to mortuary science school and become a funeral director. He graduated in 1982 from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Mortuary Science and now manages the firm. Barry also holds Illinois & Missouri Funeral Director and Embalmer licenses, is a licensed insurance producer in Illinois, and is a Madison County Deputy Coroner. He is very active in the Collinsville Sunrise Kiwanis and has held the position of Secretary, Vice President, and President. He is past President of the Madison County Funeral Directors Assn. and past President of the Collinsville Chamber Of Commerce. He and his family attend and are active in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Some of his outside interests include golf and spending time with his wife, Janice, and two children, Chelsea and Abbey. e-mail: Barry Wilson

Jerry McChristian

Jerry McChristian has owned and operated a cemetery monument business for the past 25 years. He has been employed at Sunset Hill since May 1, 1998. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting/economics and a masters degree in finance. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He enjoys playing golf, listening to music, and spending time with his three children and wife, Patricia.

Email: Jerrym@sunsethillcemetery.com

Mark Johnson

Mark is responsible for supervising all the grounds maintenance and improvements. He coordinates the activities of 5 to 7 men every year. Mark and his wife, Tonya, have 3 children. He served in the U.S. Navy and is active in church work. He enjoys being outdoors and construction.

email: Markj@sunsethillcemetery.com

Lyle Hill

Lyle Hill is originally from Sparta, Illinois and has been a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in Illinois since 1972. Lyle holds a Bachelor degree from Southern Illinois University in Mortuary Science, and is currently obtaining a Masters Degree. He has been an employee at the funeral home since 1991. Lyle is also a licensed insurance producer. He is an elder and very active at the Presbyterian Church in Collinsville and also belongs to the Lions Club in Collinsville. Some of his outside interests are golf and gardening. e-mail: Lyle Hill

Ryan Zinke

Ryan is originally from Robinson, Illinois. He graduated from Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana, in 1994 with a degree in Mortuary Science and completed advanced embalming training at the Fountain National Academy in Springfield, Missouri in 2004. He served his apprenticeship at Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson before moving to Greeley, Colorado, where he worked for Adamson Memorial Chapels. Ryan returned to Illinois in November of 1998 to begin employment with Herr Funeral Home. Ryan and his wife Mandy were married in August 2002 and his daughter, Colleen Charlotte was born in August 2003. In addition to spending time with his wife and daughter, Ryan's interests include motorcycle riding, attending sporting events and keeping in contact with friends.

John Schemerhorn

John Schemerhorn is originally from Lawrenceville, IL. John graduated from Kentucky College of Mortuary Science in 1975, and has been a licensed Funeral Director since 1976. John also has a Bachelors in Sociology which he obtained in 1980 from Arkansas State University. John has lived in Collinsville since 1984, has been a member of the Herr staff since August 1999, and he brings 25 years of funeral service experience to the firm. John is an accomplished musician and has been involved with serveral area church music programs. John's family consists of his wife Karen, who works for Collinsville Unit #10, daughter Jamie, son Johnathon and sons Mike and Nick Schemerhorn who live in Arkansas.

Rita King

Rita is a member of the office staff at Sunset Hill. Rita has lived in the Glen Carbon area for the past 14 years with her husband Jac and two children Bryan and Emily. She has always enjoyed being a part of this Edwardsville/Glen Carbon community and especially enjoys being a part of the Sunset Family.

email: Ritak@sunsethillcemetery.com

Janis Guffey

Janis joined our Sunset Hill office staff in May 2004. She is a lifelong resident of Granite City and recently retired after working 30 years as a civil service employee. Janis is responsible for updating computer records containing lot owner information and providing administrative support to the office staff. Janis has one son who resides in San Diego.

email: Janisg@sunsethillcemetery.com

Receptionist/Secretary

Michele Chambliss

Kelly La Peire

Gina Gonet

Gina moved to the Collinsville area in 1988 with her husband Joe. Gina's past work experience includes a certificate from South Florida Floral Design School with 12 years in the floral industry. During this time, she completed classes and graduated from All-Med Academy with a certificate as a dental assistant. This enabled her to switch occupations and work the next five years for Dr. J. O. Bauer, a well respected orthodontist in the Edwardsville area. After a three year break to raise her family and help with her husband's graphic design business, she joined the staff at Herr, sharing the duties with Cindy. "I really enjoy working at Herr," she says. "Everyone is so friendly and caring and it makes me feel good being part of the staff."

Pam Biason

Marilyn Hinds

Marilyn Hinds is from Collinsville and does aftercare and pre-need marketing for Herr & Sunset Hill Funeral Homes. Marilyn came to work for Herr in 1993 and started working at Sunset Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home in November of 2003. She worked for Lakeview Memorial Gardens for 6 years before coming to Herr Funeral Home. She works during the day, Monday through Thursday. Marilyn graduated from Collinsville High School in June of 1968 and married Phillip Hinds in December of 1968. Phillip and Marilyn have two sons, Evan and Shane. Evan is married and he and his wife are high school band directors. Shane is a student at Lewis and Clark College studying Auto Technology. Marilyn, Phillip, and Shane are involved in Car Show Promotions. Marilyn is a collector of lighthouses, antiques and teddy bears and enjoys working in her yard.