History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Our History
Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel has served the surrounding communities since the early 1890’s. Frank E. Carlisle began in funeral service by purchasing an interest in the J.H. Rusie Furniture and Undertaking business.
In 1895, with partner Daniel Gilbert, Frank purchased a storefront in downtown Mooresville (the building is currently occupied by the Harris & Currens Law Office). After one year, he purchased Gilbert's interest and began conducting business under his own name. Frank’s son, Milford E. Carlisle, joined the business in 1929 shortly after his father’s death.
In 1949 the funeral home moved to its present location of 39 East High Street. In 1952, after his service in the Marine Corp during the Korean War, Milford’s son, George E. Carlisle, joined the firm. George’s son, Samuel E. Carlisle, joined the firm in 1988 after graduation from Ball State University and Mid America College of Mortuary Science. Sam owned and operated the business until January of 2007, when Sam sold the business to Chris and Mary Beth Branson.
The facilities of Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel have changed over time to meet the needs of the community it serves. Even the name has changed. But not the quality of service or commitment of the owners.
Chris and Mary Beth find pride and privilege providing personalized care to the families they serve. In December of 2010, Chris and Mary Beth Branson opened the first crematory in Morgan County to better serve the families who request our services.
Our Valued Staff
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 and has been in funeral service since 1992. He was employed by Leppert Mortuary for twelve years leaving there in 2005 as the general manager.
Chris, and his wife Mary Beth, have been owners of Carlisle and Son Funeral Chapel since January 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 chapel, Chris stays busy by serving on the boards of the Community Foundation of Morgan County and the Mooresville Senior Center. He is a member of the Mooresville Kiwanis Club, Mooresville Lions Club, Mooresville Masonic Lodge #78, and the St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus. He is also a parish council member at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
Mary Beth Branson, Owner
Mary Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and personality to Carlisle & Son that is much appreciated by the families we are honored to serve. She enjoys working visitations primarily and also assists with family follow-up, after the service. Mary Beth spends her free time volunteering in the community, serving on the Advisory Board with the United Way of Morgan County and also serves on the board of the Morgan County Literacy Coalition. Mary Beth is always available to assist our families in their time of need.
Jim Forester, Service Assistant
Jim Forester has been employed by Carlisle and Son Funeral Chapel since 2007 following his retirement from the Mooresville Consolidated School System after 28 years. Prior to retirement, he served as Principal of Newby Memorial Elementary and North Madison Elementary. He graduated with the 1962 class of Mooresville High School. He received his undergraduate degree in Education from Franklin College and his master’s degrees from Ball State and Butler Universities.
In addition to working with the children in the area school system, Jim has been active in his community by serving on the Mooresville Park Board and is a member of the Mooresville First United Methodist Church, Mooresville Kiwanis, and the Elks in Plainfield. He enjoys his association with the funeral chapel because it allows him to work in a caring, friendly, family atmosphere.
He and his wife, Dana, who is the secretary for the Mooresville First United Methodist Church, have five children and seven grandchildren.
Mike Haskins, Service Assistant
Mike Haskins has been employed by Carlisle and Son Funeral Chapel 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.
Mike has always been active in his community serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman, member of Mooresville’s Veteran’s Memorial Committee, Mooresville Redevelopment Corporation and The Church at Mt. Gilead. While employed by IPL, he was a member of its Ambassadors Club. He and his wife enjoy traveling the United States following some of their favorite country musicians.
Mike can often be found on Saturday mornings cheering on his grandsons at their various sporting endeavors.
Asbury Howard, Service Assistant
Asbury “Assie” Howard has been employed by Carlisle and Son Funeral Chapel since September 2001. Following his retirement from Indianapolis Power & Light where he worked in the line clearing division for 23 years. Asbury grew up in Leslie County, Kentucky and has lived in the Mooresville and Martinsville area for over 50 years.
Asbury enjoys being around other people and finds working for the funeral chapel a way to stay active while at the same time making a difference in people’s lives. He is a member of Martinsville Evening Lions Club and in his younger years was a reserve police officer.
He and his wife, Nellie, have three children and five grandchildren and are members of The First Christian Church in Martinsville, Indiana.
Randy Keeton, Service Assistant
Randy Keeton has been employed by Carlisle and Son Funeral Chapel since 2004. 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 in the out of doors 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.
An Arkansas native, he and his wife Karen, who is on the staff of the Mooresville Decatur Times, have lived in Mooresville for 28 years where they raised their two sons.
Randy is very active with his church, The Church at Mt Gilead, where he is in charge of special events parking and enjoys his involvement with the church’s small group interaction.
Savanah Light, Apprentice
Savanah Light began her work with Carlisle and Son Funeral Chapel in 2007. A 2005 Monrovia High School graduate she is currently enrolled in Vincennes University working toward a degree in Mortuary Science. She has been a resident of Monrovia all of her life.
The funeral chapel has served members of her family and she was impressed by its level of service and felt it a good place to enhance her skills as she works toward her degree. She enjoys helping other people and believes funeral service provides her the opportunity to do something she enjoys.
Don Noel, Service Assistant
Don Noel has worked for Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel since January of 2005, following his retirement from Amtrak, where he worked as a plumber and pipe fitter. Don grew up in the Monrovia area and now lives in Mooresville. He graduated with the Monrovia Class of 1963 and shortly thereafter married LaDonna Parks Noel. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Don served in the United States Army during the Viet Nam War. He and his wife are very active with the Gasburg Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and volunteers with many committees.
Don enjoys being around people and felt the need to remain active following retirement. He believes the Lord led him to continue serving others, and he finds working at Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel allows him to do that.
Allen Whitesel
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 which is 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.