Staff

Our Caring Staff

Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.

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IN MEMORY OF ROBERT E. LEE

December 10, 1935 - November 11, 2025

Mr. Lee, along with his wife Marge, owned Ferguson-Lee for over 50 years before retiring in 2016. Bob remained a licensed funeral director with the firm until 2025, when he allowed it to go into inactive status. He continued to serve as a consultant and friend to the staff until his death on November 11, 2025. His wisdom and leadership will be remembered and valued, and it is an honor to continue the tradition of excellence that he established.

Robert Edward "Bob" Lee Obituary
Robert E. “Bob” Lee, 89, of Bedford, died on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Born on December 10, 1935, in Clinton, Indiana, and raised in Rockville, Indiana, he was the son of Daniel Dorsey and Ellen Newkirk Lee.

Bob was a graduate of Rockville High School, where he was heavily involved in both sports and the arts. He loved his “Rox” classmates and kept in touch with them throughout his life. After graduation, Bob headed south to Bloomington to attend Indiana University, which would have a profound effect on the remainder of his life. While at IU, he played cornet in the Indiana University Marching Hundred, sang with the Singing Hoosiers, and became President of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He was the first of three generations of his family to ride in the famous Little 500, followed later by his son Robert, and then Robert’s son, Evan. But most importantly, it was at IU that he met Marjorie (“Marge”) Boone, while working in the kitchen of her sorority house.

Bob graduated from IU and left Bloomington with a love for his alma mater that never faltered, as evidenced by the fact that he held season tickets for both Indiana University men’s football and basketball for 68 years. In good seasons and in bad, no matter the weather and regardless of the opponent, Bob rarely missed a chance to cheer on the Hoosiers. Everyone was welcome to stop by his tailgate, pull up a chair, and grab something to eat and drink.

After college, Bob attended the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. Bob was a proud veteran of the military, having served for three years in the United States Army, where he achieved the rank of Captain.

Bob and Marge married on November 15, 1958, with $50 to their names but an abundance of optimism. Their optimism served them well as they moved to Bedford, Indiana, to establish their new life together. Bob served the community as a funeral director and owner of Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home for nearly his whole life. He later expanded his business to include additional funeral homes in Shoals, Jasonville, Mitchell, and Loogootee, Indiana. Bob and Marge devoted themselves to Bedford and made friends who became their extended family. Bob donated resources to numerous organizations in Bedford and Lawrence County and was a member of the Bedford Elks #826, Bedford Lodge #14 F&AM, American Legion Gillen Post 33, and the Kiwanis club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford, Indiana University Alumni Association, Indiana University Varsity Club, active at the state level of the American Red Cross Indiana Region, and the President of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association.

In addition to the Hoosiers, Bob loved the Indianapolis 500, boating, and fishing. Tailgating at the Indianapolis 500 (beginning before the crack of dawn) was a family standard. Bob was a long-time active member of the United States Power Squadron. He completed the “Great Loop,” a 6000-mile boating adventure around the eastern United States and Canada. Bob loved being on the water. Whether it was on the Ohio River, Kentucky Lake, the Great Lakes, or throughout Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, he was always ready to take the boat out. Bob loved fishing and taking fishing trips with his friends and family. Incredibly, no matter who joined him, Bob always managed to catch the biggest fish and the most fish.

Above all else, Bob loved his family. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and loved spending time with them, talking with them about their lives, accomplishments, and plans for the future.

Bob is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marjorie; his children, Julie Jenkins and her husband, Mike, Sarah Lee and her husband, Tom Murphy, Christopher Lee and his wife, Laura, Andrew Lee and his wife, Caice; grandchildren, Stephanie Shryock and her husband, Ben, Elizabeth Guilfoyle and her husband, Rob, Laura Booth and her husband, Keenan, Bobby Lee, Jennifer Lee, Nathan Lee and his wife, Morgan Geeslin, Evan Lee and his wife, Alexis, Nicholas Lee, Joseph Lee, Matthew Lee, Andrew Lee and Jackson Lee; great-grandchildren, Florence and Fritz Shryock, Reis and Eden Guilfoyle, and Ford and Scout Beatrice Booth.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Dorsey and Ellen Newkirk Lee; his son, Robert E. Lee II; his brother, David Lee; and his wife, Docia.

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AMY HANSON THORNE

Owner

Granddaughter of Seymour residents (deceased) John and Eva (Tempest) Schumacher, Amy was born in Bedford and raised just to the west in the small town of Owensburg, Amy is the daughter of the late Joe Hanson, the late Kathleen Schumacher Combs and Billy Combs. She graduated from Eastern Greene High School in 1983 and excelled in all sports, especially basketball, volleyball and track. She also spent a lot of time playing softball in the Oolitic leagues while growing up.

In 1986 Amy married lifelong Bedford resident Phil Thorne. The two of raised their three children in Bedford and also began serving local churches in various capacities while owning a business. In 2016 they purchased Ferguson-Lee Chapel in Bedford and in 2017 they acquired Burkholder Chapel in Seymour. She spends her time working at the funeral homes, tending to their hobby farm, and loving on her seven grandchildren. Phil and Amy attend First Baptist Church where Amy is active in the music ministry.

Amy has a compassionate heart and wants to serve the families of southern Indiana.

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PHIL THORNE

Owner/Staff Minister/Pre-Need Specialist

Phil Thorne is the President of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes, Inc. A Bedford area business owner and retired Pastor after over 30 years of ministry, Phil and his wife Amy have lived in Bedford all of their married life. They attend the First Baptist Church in Bedford.

Phil and Amy have three children who are all married, and eight grandchildren who all live in Bedford. They enjoy living on their small mini-farm where they have cattle, mini-donkeys, goats, and chickens, in addition to two dogs and a cat.

Phil loves serving the people of Southern Indiana and helping them during their most difficult times. Not only did he serve as a Pastor, he also served as a Chaplain for the Lawrence County Sheriffs Department for nearly 20 years and is a licensed Life, Accident and Health Insurance Agent. He attended Judson College, Indiana University and Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary.

Helping people during times of crisis brings him a sense of fulfillment. Phil has been involved with death care for over 38 years. He has been a facilitator for Grief Support Groups; as Chaplain, he had the responsibility of delivering death notices to families and helping them proces the worst news they had ever received; for nearly 40 years he has provided Pastoral Care.

As Staff Minister, Phil is available to help officiate services and provide Pastoral Care if requested.

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MICHAEL CLARK

A licensed funeral director for over 25 years, Michael was born in Bedford and has been with Ferguson-Lee since 2011. He is the son of the late Terry and the late Cathy Clark and is married to the former Kelly Kirkman, also a Bedford native. Michael is a graduate of Vincennes University and served in the U.S. Army for five years. We honor his service to our country! Michael and Kelly are members of First Baptist Church in Bedford and are the parents of three daughters and one deceased son.

Michael is passionate about helping during the most difficult of days and wants to make those days as easy as possible.

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SCOTTY WESSEL

Licensed Funeral Director

Scotty Wessel is a native of Seymour and is a graduate of St. John's Sauers Lutheran School. He attends Redeemer Lutheran Church where he serves as an Elder. He has lived in Seymour most of his adult life and his professional career began as an intern at Burkholder Funeral Chapel many years ago before working at other various funeral homes both in Seymour and in other cities and towns in Indiana. Scotty holds an Associates Degree in Mortuary Sciences from Mid America College of Funeral Service and enjoys spending time working on his family farm. He is engaged to Seymour resident Jana Frady and their children are Brayden & Kylee, Nic, and Gavin.



Scotty is available to serve any family that would like to work with him and welcomes you to call him with any questions you may have. He can be reached at either Burkholder Chapel in Seymour or Ferguson-Lee Chapel in Bedford.

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JON PACE

Licensed Funeral Director

Jon and Erin Pace—along with their family—are no strangers to the funeral business or to Bedford and Seymour. Born in Bedford and then moving to Seymour and managing Burkholders, Jon eventually started a business that served multiple funeral homes throughout southern and central Indiana. Jon then became the General Manager of Allen's Funeral Home in Bloomington, but they have now returned home to serve the people of Jackson and Lawrence Counties—the communities they love. His skill and dedication to the care and preparation of the deceased for viewing are unmatched, and we are truly fortunate to have him back—now working alongside Michael Clark, Scotty Wessel, and Julie Titus, they make up the most compassionate and experienced team in the region.



Jon’s wife, Erin, is right beside him in service. She works at Schneck Memorial Hospital, and the Paces are also deeply involved in their church, The Tabernacle at Sandy Creek, where they faithfully serve both their congregation and the Lord.



While Jon is primarily at Burkholder's in Seymour, no matter which location you plan to use, Jon is available to help you at any time. He has a compassion to help those in their most difficult days, so don't hesitate to reach out for his services.

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JULIE TITUS

Licensed Funeral Director/Licensed Life Insurance Agent

Julie joined the staff of Ferguson=Lee in 2024 as a Funeral Director Intern. Having graduated from Mid Americal College of Mortuary Science and passed her Federal Boards, she served he internship until May of 2025 when she bacame a fully licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Indiana. In June of 2025 she also completed her studies and became licensed to be a Life Insurance Producer. These two lienses ensure that she has the knowledge and ability to help families make arrangement both at the time of need and in advance.



Julie is married to Theo, and they have two children. They reside in the Spice Valley are of Mirchell where she is active in the Eastern Starr and chasing her kids in their various activities. Primarily in the Bedford Chapel, she also works at both locations, seeing the needs of the families we serve are met.

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RICK KELLY

Facilities Manager & Funeral Assistant

A Springville resident, Rick is most well known for his former role as Principal/Administrator at the Springville Christian School and his involvement with Life Tabernacle in Springville. Rick is married to Star Kelley, and his experience in ministry makes him the perfect fit for helping people at Ferguson-Lee.

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RHONDA MILLER

Preneed Administrative Assistant/Funeral Attendant

Rhonda Miller is a Bedford native and lives in Heltonville with her Husband, Sam. She has been with Ferguson-Lee for several years and is tasked with keeping our prearrangements in order. She also helps by greeting at funerals when we have a need.

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BRITTANY WEBB

Office Administrator/Bookkeeper

Brittany Webb is originally from Kokomo, but is now a resident of Bedford. She was recently married and came on staff in June of 2025. Brittany is a Graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in accounting. She and her husband are members of Faith Mission Church in Bedford. While she is new to working in a funeral home, as the daughter of a Pastor, she knows firsthand the importance of ministering to people in need.

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NINA DOAN

Aftercare/Funeral Attendant

Caring for you after your loss is what Nina does best! She wants to make sure that after the funeral you know you are still cared about. You will also find her at the door greeting people at many of the visitations we have. Nina is married to Richard Doan and attends the Hillcrest Christian Church.

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KEITH THOMPSON

Funeral Assistant/Transportation

From Springville, Keith is known to many around the area as a most caring Pastor. He leads the Free Pentecostal Holiness Church in Little Cincinnati and is married to the former Sheila Bailey. Keith is one of the most genuinely caring people you will ever meet. While he works with us at many funerals, assisting in any way he can, in his transportation role, he goes to the place of death and takes the deceased into our care. Keith cares deeply for people and fits this position perfectly!

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RICK LEACH

Transportation/Funeral Attendant

Rick and his wife Laura make their home in Oolitic and Rick serves as the Minister at Central Church of Christ in Bedford. In his role at Ferguson-Lee Rick responds to the place of death to take the deceased into our care. Rick has a caring heart and wants to help anyone who is hurting, especially at the time of a loss. He also assists as needed at funerals.

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PHILLIP COLLIER

Transportation

Phillip and his wife, Katie, are active members of the Free Methodist Church and volunteer extensively in the Celebrate Recovery program. Phillip is involved in the transportation aspect of Ferguson-Lee.

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CALEB THORNE

Funeral Attendant

While his full-time job is as a Land Broker for farms and hunting property, Caleb assists at Ferguson-Lee in any way needed. His wife, Jacy, is our office manager, and they are expecting their first child in September.

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RON HENSON

Transportation/Funeral Attendant

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JANA REED

Funeral Attendant

Jana retired from IU Health Bloomington Hospital after many years working the front desk. She now works as an attendant at funeral visitations and funerals as needed.

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ANTHONY WEBB

Funeral Attendant

Anthony assists Ferguson-Lee as an attendant at funerals and visitations. He and his wife Marci own Webb Construction and they are heavily involved with Faith Mission Church.

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NORMA CUMMINGS

Funeral Attendant

Norma is married to Dennis Cummings and lives in rural Bedford.

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STEPHEN UNDERWOOD

Licensed Funeral Director, Retired

Now retired from full-time funeral service, Steve is still licensed and is the longest active and continually serving funeral director in Bedford. He started in the funeral business over 50 years ago and started with Ferguson-Lee in 1972. He was born in Orange County and was the President of his graduating class at Orleans High School. Shortly after high school, he began working at Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home, and most of his career has been spent serving the families of Lawrence and Martin Counties with both Ferguson-Lee and Queen-Lee.



Steve is also a licensed life and health insurance agent. He has served as our in-house expert on prearrangements and did a great job of preparing us to take the reins after he retired. Steve has a heart for helping those in their time of need, as well as helping them prepare ahead of time for when that unavoidable day comes. His passion for this was shared with the rest of the staff.