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OUR CARING STAFF

From our family to yours.

Chris Branson

Chris Branson

President/Owner

Chris began working in the funeral service industry when he was 17, during summers and holidays at Leppert Mortuary in Indianapolis. He is a graduate of Xavier University, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and has been in funeral service since 1992. He was employed by Leppert Mortuary for 12 years, leaving there in 2005 as the general manager.


Chris, and his wife Mary Beth, purchased the funeral home from Sam Carlisle in January of 2007. They have two sons, Benjamin and Buddy. Chris enjoys the funeral service industry and serving the community in their time of need.


In addition to the day-to-day operation of the funeral home, Chris stays busy by serving in the community. He is active with the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce, Mooresville Senior Center, Mooresville Kiwanis Club, Mooresville Lions Club, Mooresville Masonic Lodge #78, and the St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus. He is a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Chris also serves as the Chairman of Citizens Bank and on the Franciscan Foundation Board of Directors.  

 Mary Beth Branson

Mary Beth Branson

Owner

Mary Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and personality to Carlisle-Branson that is much appreciated by the families we are honored to serve. She primarily enjoys working visitations, but also assists with family follow-up, after the service. Mary Beth spends much of her free time volunteering in the community. She serves on the Advisory Board of the United Way of Morgan County, is on the Board of the League of Miracles, and formerly served on the Literacy Coalition Board of Directors. She is actively involved at Saints Francis & Clare Catholic School, where she is a member of the school commission. Mary Beth is always available to assist our families in their time of need..

Greg Guffin, CFSP

Greg Guffin, CFSP

General Manager & Licensed Funeral Director

Greg joined the Carlisle Branson team in 2017 after serving 21 years at a firm in Indianapolis. Greg grew up in Indianapolis where he graduated from North Central High School, attended IUPUI and graduated with honors from Vincennes University. Greg and his wife Codie are the proud parents of Bethanie and Jacob and the proud grandparents of Kenslie Mae. Outside of the funeral home, Greg enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, fishing and going to sporting events. He is an avid fan of IU Basketball, Notre Dame Football, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Blackhawks, and Indy Car Racing.

Jen Gruver

Jen Gruver

Pre-Planning Specialist


Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith

Celebrant & Monument Specialist

Wendy holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Associate Degree in Mortuary Science, Ministry Certification, Insight Celebrant Certification and numerous Service Excellence Awards. Wendy began her career as a funeral director and embalmer over 30 years ago. Over the last the last five years her concentration has been serving the Indianapolis area as a funeral celebrant. As your storyteller and/or minister, Wendy offers individualized ceremonies that honor and celebrate your loved ones life. She works closely with your family weaving together the different stories of one’s life to create an authentic funeral service that is unique to each person. Wendy resides in Fishers with her husband, two children, and  two dogs. She is a member of Fishers Grace Church. In her spare time, Wendy enjoys traveling with her family and friends and reading.

Amber Miller

Amber Miller

Office Manager

Amber Miller began working at Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home in 2021 as the office administrator. Amber’s strong desire to help others and to grow professionally makes her a perfect fit for our staff. She is honored to help families in need and is especially proud to share personalized touches to honor loved ones, such as the Life Celebration products. A graduate of Decatur Central High School, Amber now resides in Greenwood with her two children. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, outdoor activities like kayaking and camping, movie nights, and visiting local attractions with her children.

Kennedy Downing

Kennedy Downing

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kennedy is a native of Greencastle and a graduate of Vincennes University. Outside of the funeral home, she enjoys spending time with her two children, Jayce and Tatum as well as going to concerts and shopping.

Corben W. Kinder

Corben W. Kinder

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Corben graduated from Martinsville High School in 2012.  He earned his degree in Mortuary Science and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2016. 


Corben is honored to continue serving the families of Morgan County and surrounding area.  Corben’s golden doodle, Lilly, has also joined our staff! 


In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, biking, watching musical and theatre performances, and relaxing. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends. Additionally, he is an active member of the First Christian Church in Martinsville. 


Christina Naughton

Christina Naughton

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Christina Naughton was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan and grew up in Canton, Michigan, where she still enjoys lake time with her family.  A second career for Christina, she has worked in funeral service for 15 years and joined the Carlisle – Branson team in 2022.  Christina and her husband, Tim, have three children, Josh, J’Aimee, and Jordan, and grandchildren, Bea, Norah, and Gwen.  Christina enjoys tropical travel with her husband, spending time outdoors, activities with the “Grands”, and playing euchre with family and friends.  She is a Michigan Wolverines fan and loves to attend concerts and festivals. 

Cyndi Cooke

Cyndi Cooke

Greeter & Receptionist

Cyndi began working with the Carlisle-Branson team in late 2011. A licensed insurance agent, Cyndi is often the very capable associate our families meet when pre-planning services. Cyndi's friendly and thorough nature provide a great fit for those who wish to plan ahead. In an effort to always provide the very best service, Cyndi follows up with each family that is served to ensure that all of the needs and expectations were exceeded. Cyndi and her husband, Gary, have one daughter. Cyndi's schedule can be very flexible, and she is happy to meet families in the comfort of their own homes if that is preferred.

Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey

Service Assistant

Bill started working at Carlisle-Branson in May of 2010, although he and his wife, Judy, have lived two doors away since 1975. Bill is a lifelong Mooresville resident and graduated from Mooresville High School in 1966. Bill worked at the local Post Office while attending night school at Butler University, where he earned a degree in business in 1981. After graduating Bill worked for 29 years as an accountant for Indiana Farm Bureau, retiring in 2007. Bill enjoys working with the staff at the funeral home because they are committed to offering the very best service possible. Bill is often the pleasant and friendly face our families see when we initially respond to a death. He also assists with visitations, funerals, and staffing the on-site crematory.

Wanda Davee

Wanda Davee

Greeter and Evening Receptionist

Wanda Skinner Davee has been keeping the funeral home spotless since 2010. Wanda is very thorough and takes great pride in always having the entire facility looking its best. She also enjoys greeting and serving families in their time of need. Wanda is an active and faithful member of Lifeline Baptist Church in Camby. She enjoys all kinds of animals, gardening, spending time with her family and cooking.

Mike Haskins

Mike Haskins

Service Assistant

Mike Haskins has been employed by Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory since 2003, following his retirement from the Property Management Department of Indianapolis Power and Light. Mike graduated from Mooresville High School with the class of 1964 and married Susan Kirk Haskins. They have two daughters.

Lowell Jones

Lowell Jones

Service Assistant

Lowell Jones has been a service assistant with Carlisle-Branson since 2018. Now retired from Eli Lilly, Lowell enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending church, fishing, raising cattle, and traveling. He is married to Carol Kinnett Jones, and is the father of three children and “Poppy” to eight grandchildren. 

Randy Keeton

Randy Keeton

Service Assistant

Randy Keeton has been employed by Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory for nine years. Having attended the University of Arkansas, he pursued a 38 year career with the Water Resources Division of the US Geological Survey. Finding full retirement not in his genes, he traded in his hip-waders for a suit when he joined the staff of the funeral home, but finds the change of pace suits him well. Still, he remains active outdoors and, when time allows, finds real enjoyment in fishing. He enjoys his work at the funeral home because it allows him to make a contribution to his community.

Steve Miller

Steve Miller

Service Assistant


Brad Nichols

Brad Nichols

Service Assistant


Janet Yaraschefski

Janet Yaraschefski

Greeter


Mike Smith

Mike Smith

Service Assistant

Mike Smith helps with visitations, services and about anything else that is needed around the funeral home. Mike is retired from Kroger’s and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, their 3 children and 6 grandchildren, as well as volunteering at Hendricks Live in Plainfield and is an auto racing enthusiast.

 Steve Remster

Steve Remster

Service Assistant

Steve Remster joined the funeral home staff in early 2014. Steve is a 1964 graduate of Mooresville High School. He worked for 32 years at General Motors before retiring in 1996. For the past 17 years, he has been a school bus driver for the Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation. He is married to his wife, Sarah, and they have five children. In his spare time, Steve enjoys boating, camping and working with his antique clock collection.

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