Our History
Kingsburg's one and only Funeral Chapel has been serving it's community for nearly 90 years, with it's beginnings as Ericson Funeral Parlor in 1930 and later George & Beatrice Garner Funeral Home. Jack Creighton, who grew up on a farm, was a college student at North Dakota State University in Fargo, when he took a job at a local funeral home, which ignited his passion for serving his community. In 1965 Jack purchased the Kingsburg Funeral Home from the Garners, where he and his two sons, Tom and Ben Creighton spent the next 54 years tirelessly serving the families of Kingsburg and the surrounding communities. When Ben decided it was time for him to retire, he honored his father's wish and offered to sell Creighton Memorial Chapel to Steve Dillard, who started his over 40 year career in the funeral industry at the age of 14, washing cars for Jack at his funeral home in Hanford. Steve is the owner of Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel in Visalia, CA, which he, along with his former partner, built from the ground up and opened it's doors in 2003. Their dedication to families along with their desire to offer new and innovative options and services, has firmly secured their reputation as Tulare County's premier Funeral Provider. Steve and his staff are excited to welcome Lydia Paul to their team and bring the Salser & Dillard passion for funeral service to the families of Kingsburg.
-
Steve P. Dillard, Owner/Funeral Director
Experience and passion is what Steve Dillard brings to Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Born and raised in Hanford where his parents and one sister still live, Steve started his, nearly 40 years experience in the funeral business, at 14 washing the cars at Peoples Funeral Chapel in Hanford, where his uncle John E. Lemos worked, and Steve continued to learn the business there for the next several years. At 20 Steve began an apprenticeship as well as broadened his experience with Whitehurst-McNamara in Hanford and continued working for the Lowen Group until he moved to Laguna Hills California in June 1987 where he worked for O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary. While working at O’Conner's, he attended Cypress College of Mortuary Science and graduated in December 1988 where he received the Ma Green Outstanding Student Award. After successfully completing the California State Board of Embalmers Exam and the National Board Certificate Exam he returned to the Loewen Group working for Hadley Funeral Chapel in Visalia January 1989. He worked at several Loewen locations in Kings and Tulare Counties before leaving in 1999. In 2001 Steve along with Jeff started the process opening their own chapel. When asked why he chose to open his own chapel, Steve's response was clear, "After traveling for many years with the Lowen Group, I had the opportunity to meet and work for many former chapel owners: Frank and Harold Keaton, Claude Wondrow, Lloyd Bledsoe, Don Miller, David and Paul Miller, Don Evans, Jack Creighton, Joe O'Conner, Dick Hemmingway, Clem McNamara, they all exemplified the importance of quality professional service and I wanted that for myself." Steve has a long history of funeral service here in the valley:
Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, Visalia, CA;
Peoples Funeral Chapel, Hanford CA;
Whitehurst McNamara, Hanford CA;
Hadley Funeral Chapel, Visalia and Farmersville CA;
Millers Memorial Chapel, Visalia CA;
Miller’s Tulare Funeral Chapel CA;
Bledsoe Family Peoples Funeral Chapel, Corcoran CA;
And he is excited to expand his business and continue the Creighton legacy in Kingsburg. A proud father of three and grandfather of seven, Steve's roots in the Valley are deep and he looks forward to continuing to serve his community for many years to come building a legacy that lasts for the generations. -
Amber E. Taunton, Director of Family Service & Marketing
-
Josh Golden, Director of Care
-
Lydia K. Paul, Family Care Director: Licensed Funeral Director
-
Emilio Alvarez, Family Service Director
-
Garry Bravo, Family Care Director
-
Monica Palomino de Ramirez, Clinical Care Specialist: Licensed Embalmer & Funeral Director
-
Brock Fleischman, Clinical Care Specialist: Apprentice Embalmer
-
Mike Brown, Clinical Care Assistant
-
Richard Del Real, Clinical Care Team: Cremationist
-
Lisa McCurry, Clinical Care Team: Cremationist
-
Robert Hernandez, Family Care Assistant
-
Leo Reynaga, Family Care Associate
-
Jim Gatto, Family Care Associate
-
Mark DiGirolamo, Family Care Assistant
-
Cristian Garcia, Family Care Assistant
-
Paul Dillard, Facility Care Associate
-
Gisselle Del Real, Family Care Associate
-
Gabriella Matlock, Family Care Associate
-
Tami DiGirolamo, Family Care Associate
-
Tony Brito, Family Care Associate
-
Frank Morales, Family Care Associate
