Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
John W. Kunsch joined the funeral home staff in 1968. His service as a licensed funeral director evolved in 1978, when he partnered with his father-in-law, Owen Beidelman, in the family business. This prompted the firm's official name change to what is currently known as Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory.
John is a Naperville native and has been actively involved in the community with memberships in the VFW, the American Legion and the Kiwanis Evening Club. He is a 1963 graduate of John Carroll University and 1969 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Prior to his association with the funeral home, John, a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor in Vietnam.
John has been married for more than 40 years to wife, Cassie. Together they have three children: a daughter and twin sons. His sons, John L. and Joseph, grew up in the family business and have served as licensed funeral directors at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory for over 10 years.
Cassie is the granddaughter of Oliver J. Beidelman, one of the founders and daughter of Owen Beidelman. She grew up in Naperville and has been married to John W. Kunsch for more than 40 years. Cassie is very active in the community as she has been a member of the Naperville Woman's Club for over 25 years.
In her free time, Cassie enjoys spending time with family including her children and grandchildren. In addition, she has a passion for knitting, crocheting, water colors and oil based painting. Along with her husband, John, Cassie is a member of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville
John L. Kunsch, along with his twin brother Joseph, has been involved in the family funeral business throughout his entire life. As a witness to his father and grandfather's profession, John has gained valuable first-hand knowledge over the years, in preparation for his own service as a licensed funeral director.
A 1997 graduate of Loras College, John earned his diploma to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Illinois at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1998. While growing up in Naperville, he attended Naperville North High School where he graduated from in 1992.
John has been a lifelong member of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville. He is a member of the Naperville Post 43 Sons of the American Legion Squadron and the American Legion Riders Naperville Post 43. John is married to wife, Vicki and together they have two daughters, Paiton and Ailey. In his free time, John is a motorcycle enthusiast, enjoys cycling and spending time with his family.
Joseph O. Kunsch has been involved in the family funeral business throughout his entire life. In addition to his formal training as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, Joe, like his brother John, has unique professional experience as he is the 5th generation to continue the family legacy in the funeral home business.
Joe earned his diploma to become a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Illinois from Loras College in 1997. Like his father and brother, he graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science as a licensed funeral director for Illinois in 1998. Raised in Naperville, Joe graduated from Naperville North High School in 1992.
He is a member of the Naperville Post 43 Sons of the American Legion Squadron. Joe has a daughter, Julianne. When away from the office, Joe enjoys spending time outdoors, especially cycling. He attends Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church where he has been a lifelong parishioner.
Phillip T. Barnum joined the funeral home staff in 1990. With over 30 years of experience as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, Phil offers great wisdom and compassionate care to the families we serve.
A 1978 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Phil is an active member in the local community. He is the past President and Program Chairman of the Naperville Lions Club, of which he is currently a member. Phil is also a member of the Founding Board for the Naperville Turkey Trot. In addition, he was involved with a number of community groups in past years including service with the Heritage YMCA: Invest in Youth Camp, Ambassador for the Naperville Chamber of Commerce, and serving as past president and current board member of his condominium complex, Harbor Cove.
In his free time, Phil enjoys traveling, writing and actively participating at his church, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Naperville, where he has been a member for over 20 years. At St. Thomas, Phil previously served as a lector and Commentator while he was also a member and frequent host of "Gatherings," a small faith community.
Ron Kurza has been with the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory since 2011. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Certified Funeral Service Practioner, Pre Need Specialist, Crematory Operator, Website Manager, Social Media Manager, and assists with various administrative, marketing and family follow up tasks.
Ron was elected to the Board of Directors for the Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) as the Region One Director in June of 2020. As Region 1 Director he represented the counties of Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, Dupage, Grundy, Henry, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Lasalle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, Mercer, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will, and Winnebago. In 2022 he was elected to the Executive Committe where he served as Secretary/Treasurer, and is currently serving as Vice President of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association.
Many professions grant special recognition to members upon completion of a series of academic and service requirements that eclipse those of state or national licensing boards. This level of achievement is often recognized by the use of initials after one's name to signify this level of achievement.
In 2023 Ron obtained the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner -- CFSP. He willingly amassed 180 hours of continuing education requirements. Even in instances where states may not have formal continuing education requirements, funeral professionals across the country participate voluntarily. The fact that they have joined the Academy and worked toward this goal of certification shows that they believe in continuing education, but more importantly, the goals of the Academy.
Ron is a 1989 graduate of Millikin University, where he earned his B.A. in Public Relations. Member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Naperville. Ron has two children, Kendall and Evan Kurza.
Kelly is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the States of Kansas and Illinois and has been involved in funeral service for the past 36 years. Previous to joining the staff of the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home & Crematory, he was affiliated with Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. of Broadview, IL. During his tenure with Wilbert, Kelly was involved numerous times with the interment of deceased veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. He was also instrumental in arranging the donation, construction and personalization of The Wilbert Bronze® burial vault for the interment of the 184 victims of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon at a special memorial service held on September 12, 2002 at Arlington National Cemetery.
Building upon his passion for funeral service, knowledge of the profession and his deep desire to help families Kelly joined the staff of the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home & Crematory as the Aftercare and Family Service Counselor. Kelly and his wife Laura currently reside in Plainfield, IL.
Shelley has served as an integral part of the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory staff at the Washington Street location since 2007. Her kind and compassionate manner provides comfort to each person who steps through our doors. In addition, Shelley assists in printing services and various other specialized tasks that are needed to provide quality service to our families.
With family roots of over 100 years in Naperville, the town she was raised, Shelley attended Naperville North High School where she graduated from in 1990. She went on to attend Illinois State University and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.
In her free time, Shelley enjoys staying active in the community by assisting the elderly. She is married to husband, Andre, and together they have two daughters: Madison and Maya. She is a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville
Kenneth Garhan has been a part of the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory staff for over 20 years. He is married to wife, Dorothy and they have 4 children. In his free time, Kenneth enjoys working for the Veterans for Foreign Wars organization and traveling. He is an active member of the community, in addition to his service for the VFW, Kenneth works with the American Legion and he is an Usher at his church, Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville.
