Staff - Carpenter's Funeral Home, LLC

David Carpenter, Owner	David was born and raised in Corning where he lived over Carpenter’s Funeral Home. He graduated from the former Corning Northside High School in 1962; attended Taylor University, North Carolina State University and Simmons School of Mortuary Science. David began his career at Carpenter’s Funeral Home in 1968 as a third generation funeral director. After two years working at the family business, David changed his career path by joining the Marsellus Casket Company in Syracuse, NY. He became Director of Sales for the Southeastern US. In North Carolina he met his wife Brenda and worked in the hardwood casket industry until 1980 when they moved to Fullerton, CA where he became Vice President for Development of Church Resource Ministries. In 1990 they returned to Corning where David and his brother, Jon, purchased Phillips Funeral Home. David's wife Brenda managed the Endoscopy Department at Corning Hospital where she retired in 2004. David and Jon Carpenter, grandsons of the founder, purchased Carpenter’s Funeral Home in December 2007, once again making Carpenter’s Funeral Home LLC., locally owned by the original Carpenter family. David and Brenda have two daughters and four grandsons. David is a member of the Corning Rotary Club, past President of Corning Meals on Wheels and the Salvation Army. They are active members of Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post and McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, FL where they enjoy their winters. Funeral Service has been a lifelong passion for David. “Watching my grandfather, my father and some wonderful funeral directors throughout the country selflessly serve bereaved families inspired me to return to Corning to develop a business built on those same foundational principles.”

Jon Carpenter, Owner	Jon Carpenter is a native of the Corning area. Coming from a long heritage of funeral directors, Jon grew up in the funeral business. As a child, he lived in what used to be known as the Carpenters Funeral Home in South Corning. He grew up knowing how important it was to serve others and reach out to the community in times of loss. Jon is a graduate of the Ben Lippen School in Asheville North Carolina. He attended Toccoa Falls College in Georgia and went on to receive his Mortuary Science Degree at the College of Boca Raton, Florida. Shortly after receiving his Mortuary Science degree, he returned to the Corning area. He and his brother David purchased Phillips Funeral Home in 1990. Jon is married and has children. He is a member of the North Baptist Church as well as the Corning Rotary. He is a past President of the Corning Kiwanis Club. Jon serves on the Corning Salvation Army Advisory Board. In Jon’s spare time he enjoys spending time with family, the outdoors, rock climbing and bow hunting. Why does Jon enjoy being a funeral director? "Every day is a new day. It is a time to reach out and to make a difference. Helping people through grief is an extremely gratifying job for me. It is carrying on a family tradition of service to the community."

Pete Russell, Manager	Pete Russell was born in New Jersey. He was raised in Endicott, NY. In 1990, Pete graduated from SUNY Canton with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. From 1990 to 1995, Pete was a funeral director for a few upstate New York funeral homes. In 1995, Pete began working as a funeral director for Carpenter’s Funeral Home and in 2008, he became the Manager for Carpenter’s Funeral Home. Pete is married and has 3 children. He is a member of the Corning Kiwanis as well as the South Corning Fire Department Auxiliary. Pete is a volunteer for the Painted Post Colonial Days and is an active volunteer in the Corning Painted Post schools. Pete feels that each day is different in the funeral home business. "You meet new people and develop a relationship with them as they plan an extremely important and meaningful event in a person’s life, a funeral. For some, it is the first time that they have been part of the planning process and they don’t know what to expect. I enjoy guiding them through the process, paying particular attention to their needs and desires. I feel that the “thank you” that you receive following the planning and funeral is extremely rewarding."

Steven VonVolen, Funeral Director	Steve Von Volen was born and raised in Jamestown, NY. He graduated from Maple Grove Jr.-Sr. High School in 2001, Jamestown Community College in 2003, and Canton College of Technology in 2006 with honors. During his college years Steve was a member of the Canton Mortuary Science Association and the Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society. Steve started his career at the Addison Funeral Home in Angola, NY; where he gained a true appreciation for the funeral profession, while serving his residency there. After completing his residency he worked with Fantauzzi Funeral Homes of Fredonia and Westfield, NY. In January of 2011 Steve began working at Carpenter’s Funeral Home. Although, he misses his family ties in Jamestown he feels welcomed by the Carpenter family and enjoys serving the Corning community. Steve is married and has one daughter. He attends Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post. In his spare time Steve enjoys working on and driving classic cars, being outdoors, and most importantly spending time with his family. Steve feels that taking care of a loved one that has passed on and the family they left behind is what he was called to do. Steve says, “Every day I try to learn something new, thank God for all I have, and be the best funeral director I can be.” Steve always plans on working in the funeral business and carrying on the traditions and customs that he has learned, past and present.