Staff
Our dedicated staff members 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.
As a 28 year resident of Longview/Kelso, WA, Rick has been employed all that time as a licensed funeral director and embalmer who is currently The Vice President/General Manager of the Pierce Group Inc. where he manages the operations of Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park and Dahl McVicker Funeral Homes as well as several other funeral homes in Southwest Washington. Rick currently serves on the regulatory board for Funeral Homes and Cemeteries in the State of Washington. He is a Past President of the Kelso Lions Club and Past President of Longview Community Church. He is also Past President of the Washington State Funeral Director’s Association of which he was honored as Funeral Director of the Year in 2009. Rick has been involved with Stageworks Northwest (a NonProfit Community Theatre) for the past seven years currently serving as President of the Board of Directors. He has been married to Lorraine for the past 25 years and has two children Lance and Amy.
Susan proudly started working at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel in 2007 after her mother died. She is committed to caring for families with the same compassion shown to her when her mother died. It’s been over nine years now and she still enjoys coming to work each and every day. Susan is currently our Director of Family Services and is continuing her education to become a Funeral Director. Susan is attending Lower Columbia College to earn her associate degree thereby completing her internship. Susan is a native to Cowlitz County. Growing up in Longview then later moving to Kelso where she raised her four children. When not working at the cemetery/funeral home, she enjoys playing with her grandchildren and spending time with family.
Steele Chapel
Family Service Counselor Dawn Johnson-Deal joined Steele Chapel in 2019. She has two grown sons, Travis and Jacob. She is very proud of them and enjoys embarrassing them on a regular basis. You may have read the monthly humor column Dawn wrote, inspired by Travis and Jacob, during her 19 years at The Daily News. Dawn was in charge of the paper’s obituary desk for 16 years, and processed an estimated 20,000 obituaries. She considers it an honor to assist families during their time of need, and she has gained the trust of the community she serves. Having dealt with so many grieving families Dawn understands the importance of preplanning. Dawn also schedules local speaking engagements called “Having the Last Word,” explaining the 10 building blocks she personally designed for writing your own obituary. The Johnson family moved to the local area from Minnesota in 1964, and Dawn was raised in Kalama with her six siblings (Yes, one of those Johnsons).
Hubbard Funeral Home
Allan was born in Emmett, Idaho and grew up in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Two years after community college graduation he began a career in railroad car repair that spanned 43 years and several moves around the United States until his retirement in November 2017. He and his wife Donna have five children and 18 grandchildren and have called Longview their home since arriving in 1988. Serving others is an important part of everyone’s life and Allan finds his work as a Family Service Counselor a rewarding opportunity to help and serve others at their time of need.
Northwood Park Funeral Home & Cemetery
Mike grew up in the funeral industry and has been with Northwood Park since 2008. He graduated from Kelso High School in 1977 and earned an Associate Degree from Lane community College in Eugene, Oregon in 1980. Mike comes to us after a long career in aviation where he logged over 14000 flight hours mostly as a Bush Pilot in Alaska.
Mike is licensed as both a Funeral Director and an Insurance Agent representing ForeThought Life Insurance Company. Mike can assist you with all your funeral, cremation, and cemetery needs and is a specialist in pre-planning.
Mike has been married to his wife, Paula, since 1981. They have three grown children and five grandchildren. In their spare time they enjoy family time with their grandchildren, boating and the company of their Scottish Terrier.
Mike is very active in the Elks Lodge where he is a Past Exalted Ruler and a State Officer.
Groulx Family Mortuary
Kari has greatly enjoyed working at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel as a Family Services Counselor since 2018. She has lived in Cowlitz County for 19 years and has no intention of leaving this beautiful part of God’s country. Kari is a proud mother of two children; Marissa is a Kelso school teacher and Grant is living at home while he completes his education. She likes to keep busy and involved in her community and is actively a part of her church council, has joined a community fundraising committee, and is a local non-profit board member. Before joining the amazing team at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel Kari worked in employment services assisting those with barriers in obtaining a meaningful life. She is honored now to have the opportunity to assist others at, and before, their time of need.
