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.
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Steve P. Dillard, Owner/Funeral Director
Experience and passion is what Steve Dillard brings to Salser & Dillard Funeral 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: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 now a long and successful history owning his own chapel. 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.
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Amber E. Dillard, Director of Family Service & Marketing
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Josh Golden, Director of Care
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Mark Digirolamo, Director of Care
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Lydia K. Paul, Family Care Director: Licensed Funeral Director
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Garry Bravo, Family Care Director
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Cristian Garcia, Funeral Director/Cremationist/Clinical Care Assistant
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Emilio Alvarez, Family Service Director
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Jessica Matta, Family Service Director
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Juanita Matta, Family Care Office Manager
Born and raised here in the Central Valley, Juanita is all about family; one of 19 children, she is a loving wife and mother of four. After graduating from College of the Sequoias and working with the Easter Seal Society and Wells Fargo Bank, she found a home working at Holy Family Catholic Church for 14 Years. Her time with the church is what ushered her into serving families in need starting at Miller Memorial Chapel where she first met Steve & Jeff and in Juanita's words was "impressed with their honesty, sincerity and professionalism." She was therefore honored to join their staff in 2004 helping to provide families the utmost in care.
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Beth Conty-Golden, Family Care Assistant
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Melissa Reynolds, Family Care Assistant
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Camisha Garcia, Family Care Assistant/Clinical Care Assistant
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Christine Serna, Family Care Assistant
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Mary Huerta-Perez, Family Care Assistant/Family Service Associate
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Rosie Flores, Family Care Assistant
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Richard DelReal, Clinical Care Team: Cremationist
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Rebekah Tsuboi, Clinical Care Assistant/First Responder
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Jadon Aguilar, First Responder
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Zack Barnes, First Responder
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Randall Hamman, Clinical Care Assistant
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Steve Bardonex, Clinical Care Assistant
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Leo Reynaga, Family Care Associate
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Nate Esparza, Family Care Assistant
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Frank Morales, Family Care Associate
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Tony Brito, Family Care Associate
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Elisha Cervantez, Family Care Associate
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Joe Rodriguez, Family Care Associate
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Sebastian Galaviz, First Responder/Family Care Associate
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Stephanie Dias, Family Care Associate
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Stephanie Moglia, Family Care Associate
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Sabrina Molina, Family Service Associate
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Kent Mishler, Family Care Associate
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Jason Alvarez, Family Service Associate
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Holly Ford, First Responder
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Deanna Dunton, Family Care Assistant
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Helio Amaral, Facility Care Associate
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Paul Dillard, Facility Care Associate
