J. Warren Funeral Services

Our Staff

Meet Our Caring Staff

Our knowledgeable staff are passionate about providing families guidance and support during the funeral planning process and well after the funeral. Together, we can honor your loved one’s life while beginning your grief journey.

Jerry Warren
Jerry Warren
Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer
Jerry Warren
Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer

Born in Casa Grande and raised in Eloy, Jerry is a graduate of Santa Cruz Valley Union High School. He attended Mesa Community College and Central Arizona College. He took his apprenticeship at Valley Chapel in Eloy for two years before attending the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, where he obtained his Associate of Arts degree. He served as a volunteer with the Eloy Fire Department for 25 years and is a member of the Eloy Lions Club and the Casa Grande Rotary Club. He is a Past President of both the Funeral Directors Association of Arizona and the National Association of Approved Morticians. Always in the service of his community, Jerry leads the J. Warren team with a lifetime of experience, integrity and compassion.

Janet Warren
Janet Warren
Owner / CFO
Janet Warren
Owner / CFO

Janet was born in Tucson but grew up behind the Valley Chapel Funeral Home in Eloy, which her father built and acquired in 1953. It was only natural for here to go into the funeral business herself. She and Jerry are committed to the excellence and trust the community expects and deserves. She serves on various local committees and boards. She and Jerry were selected business owners of the year for 2013 by the Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce.

 Kristin Gramando
Kristin Gramando
Advanced Funeral Planning
Kristin Gramando
Advanced Funeral Planning

Kristin was born in Wisconsin but when she married Al who was in the service, she moved to North Carolina, New Jersey and Korea. When he retired they settled in New Jersey until moving to Arizona in 2000. Since then she acquired a real estate license and a life insurance license. Her experience in customer service, public relations and sales has been useful since she joined the staff at J. Warren in 2012. She enjoys meeting with and advising people in the community, helping them with their pre-planning. Very active in Toastmasters, on the Board of the Santa Cruz Valley Historic Museum, she has one son and two grandchildren.

Bill Dering
Bill Dering
Advanced Cemetery Planning
Bill Dering
Advanced Cemetery Planning

Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois. He, and his wife Mary Lou made Arizona their home in 2006. They have three children, and three grandchildren. Bill brings his vast experience of working with others to his position of advanced funeral planning. Some of these experiences have included hospitality promotion, business ownership (3x), cemeteries (served in cemeteries both in Seattle and Tucson) and social work. He’s a long-standing member of The Knights of Columbus, and enjoys sports, video productions and his children.

Cynthia Keck
Cynthia Keck
Events Manager
Cynthia Keck
Events Manager


 Nan O'Donnell
Nan O'Donnell
Bookkeeper
Nan O'Donnell
Bookkeeper

Nan was born in Greenville, Mississippi, and moved to Arizona in 1999. She joined J Warren in 2003. Her background includes accounting for the State of Texas Purchasing Department, the Texas Association of Counties and US Natural Resources. Nan was a member of the Miami-Copper Cities Rotary Club in Miami, AZ. She is married and has two step-children and one grandchild.

Paul Neville
Paul Neville
Operations Manager
Paul Neville
Operations Manager

Paul is our Operations Manager for J. Warren Funeral Services officing at Cole & Maud

The Gardens Chapel in Casa Grande. Paul grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado

where his father was in the U.S Air Force, in fact his three older brothers all served in

the Air Force as well. Graduate of Ellicott High School in Ellicott, Colorado, studied at

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of

Mortuary Science in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After spending many years in funeral

service in California, he was asked if he would like to try serving in Arizona. In 2011 he

made the move and fell in love with the Arizona desert and mountains. Paul is past

President of the Arizona Funeral Cemetery & Cremation Association and served in

various capacities on that associations Board of Directors. A resident of Casa Grande

and member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church he is honored to serve families of

all faiths and is a true believer in being a "Servant Leader" for all our fellow staff

members. In the fall of 2023 Paul will begin his 40th year in Funeral Service as a

member of the J. Warren Funeral Service family.

Kelly Rae Whitt
Kelly Rae Whitt
Funeral Arranger & Family Specialist
Kelly Rae Whitt
Funeral Arranger & Family Specialist

Born in Flagstaff, AZ, with Kelly currently residing in Maricopa, AZ.  She loves anything to do with European or Royal History.  She collects vintage photography, enjoys working with autistic children, and LOVES true crime documentaries & and live music concerts.  When she has an extra minute she spends it with family, especially her lovely grandkids.


She has a very close-knit family, two adult sons ages 25 & 31.  She has 4 grandbabies, (18 months, 5, 7, and 11  years old) with her parents living close by too, as well as one dog named "Buddy".


She has worked in the industry for 17 years.  Previously she worked 7 years in utility recruiting and human resources. 


"I wouldn't trade my experience in this industry for anything in the world.  I'm so grateful for my J. Warren Family.  This is more than just a "job" to me, it's a major part of my life to be able to serve my community, my time is split between Casa Grande & Maricopa.

Jove Warren
Jove Warren
Funeral Arranger
Jove Warren
Funeral Arranger

Jove was born in Chandler, AZ.  He currently resides in Eloy AZ.  Jove is a sports enthusiast, he enjoys keeping up with all AZ professional sports teams.  He also loves hiking and snowboarding.  So much so, that he frequently travels to Flagstaff to enjoy the outdoors.


He is a new father to his beautiful daughter.  She is his everything!  He has two dogs that he spends every day with.


He is a family-oriented person and spends as much time with his family as he can get.

Brittany Levario
Brittany Levario
Florist
Brittany Levario
Florist

Brittany was born in Pinal County, AZ, and currently resides in Coolidge, AZ.  She likes spending time with her family, enjoys cooking, doing crafts, going to the movies, and shopping.


She comes from a big family, she is the youngest of 5 and will be welcoming her first baby in less than a week.

Daniella Gomez
Daniella Gomez
Florist
Daniella Gomez
Florist

Daniella was born in Pinal County, AZ, and currently resides in Coolidge, AZ.  She enjoys spending time with her family, she enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and taking photography.


Daniella is a mother of 4, 3 daughters, and 1 son.


She loves working in customer service and is super friendly and easy to get along with.

Carina Silvas
Carina Silvas
Administrator and Cemetery Arranger
Carina Silvas
Administrator and Cemetery Arranger

Carina was born in Chicago, IL, and currently resides in Casa Grande, AZ.


She loves watching her children compete in a variety of sports; wrestling, softball, and track.


She has been happily married for 14 years to her better half.  She has 3 daughters and 2 sons, and 3 American Bully's.

Genevieve Valentine-Davis
Genevieve Valentine-Davis
Funeral Arranger(for the Tohono O'odham Nation)
Genevieve Valentine-Davis
Funeral Arranger(for the Tohono O'odham Nation)

Genevieve enjoys family gatherings, hiking, photography, reading, and gardening.


She has three adult children and three grandchildren.

Jim Smolenski
Jim Smolenski
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Jim Smolenski
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Jim was born in Detroit, MI.  He loves the outdoors and enjoys golf and hockey.  Jim has three children and seven grandchildren.  He is a long-time member of the Elks, a member of Casa Grande Valley Elks #1957, and past President of the Nevada State Elks Association.


Jim has worked in the funeral industry for over 50 years, he has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for 45 years.

Veronica Ayala
Veronica Ayala
Funeral Arranger
Veronica Ayala
Funeral Arranger

Veronica was born in AZ, and currently lives in Coolidge (Cool-Town).


Veronica and her husband Chris have 5 children; Ethan, Evan, Andrew, Anavaena, and Christopher and one dog Brutus.

Cecilia Padilla-Jones
Cecilia Padilla-Jones
Funeral Representative
Cecilia Padilla-Jones
Funeral Representative

Cecilia was born in Florence, AZ, and currently resides in Coolidge and Casa Grande, AZ.


Cecilia loves the outdoors, biking riding, fishing, nature, and animals.  She loves to cook for her family(inherited from her mother).  She collects angels and crosses from all over.  She also loves writing, poetry, and reading her bible every day.


She is happily married with three great-kids and she is blessed with five grandkids.  They also have a German Shepard named Zandros and a cockatiel named Joey, with two baby turtles named Choco and Blonde.


She is a devout Catholic belonging to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.  


She has had experience in various retail spaces and management.


In 2018 she was introduced to the Warrens and began working in the office.  She never would have imagined that she would be working in the position of a funeral arranger that she is today.  It only took one meeting with a family for her to know that was right where she needed to be.  She believed God answered her prayers with this job.  She has always wanted to be able to help people, and being a funeral arranger has fulfilled her purpose.  Her heart and soul go into helping every family she meets with.  She takes pride in what she does.  This is her calling and plans on being a funeral arranger for a very long time.  Family is very important to her and J Warren is a family oriented business.  "(J Warren) has definitely made us all feel like a part of their (family)."

Karla Tagliabue
Karla Tagliabue
Secretary
Karla Tagliabue
Secretary

Karla was born in Mexicali, Mexico.  She resides in Eloy/Casa Grande.  She loves her plants, wine tasting, painting, and martial arts.  She spends most of her free time caring for her plants and canine child, named Tara.


Her family life constitutes of her mom, brother, and her canine child Tara.


She has worked in finance and has vast experience with interpretation.

Josephine Vidal
Josephine Vidal
Josephine Vidal

Josephine was born in Eloy, AZ, and currently resides there.  She enjoys cooking and baking.  She loves spending time with her family, going to church, and traveling.


She is a mother of eight. Her family consists of her parents: Junie and Richard Vidal, Richard Vidal Jr. Losta(Brother), and Donnie C Vidal (Brother).  Her children are; Sheena and Sherri Vidal (Twins), Lorenzo Vidal, Juan Vidal, Joshua Montiji, Khrystila Ramirez, Santos Ramirez (Passed), and Karrissa Prieto.  Haleigh Wells (Granddaughter), Noah Eugene Catozzi (Grandson)


She is a part of the Arizona Phi Beta Lambda, Central Arizona College.  Phi Beta Lambda First United Pentecostal Church, and Ladies Ministry UPCI.  She has a degree in Culinary Arts & Baking and Pastry.  She was born and raised in Eloy.

Joell Powers
Joell Powers
Cremator Operator
Joell Powers
Cremator Operator


Pepper Corbin
Pepper Corbin
Headstone
Pepper Corbin
Headstone

Pepper was born in Carlsbad, N.M.  and currently resides in Arizona City, AZ.  Pepper enjoys going to the beach, yoga, and gardening.

Pepper's family consists of 8 Children, 6 Grandchildren, and 4 Great Grandchildren.

Pepper's previous work experience includes; Admin Assistant to Fire Chief, Arizona City, Owned Corbin's Tax Service & Accounting.

Samuel Kinghorn
Samuel Kinghorn
Embalmer/Funeral Director
Samuel Kinghorn
Embalmer/Funeral Director

Samuel was born in Indiana and resides in Tucson, AZ.  He is a classically trained pianist and keeps fair practice.  He is a homebody and enjoys spending time with his wife Victoria and their fur family.  They enjoy their meals and relaxation at home and walk in their beautiful southern Arizona landscape.

Darrell Grubbs
Darrell Grubbs
Darrell Grubbs


Joy Grubbs
Joy Grubbs
Joy Grubbs


Christopher Hurst
Christopher Hurst
Advanced Funeral Planning
Christopher Hurst
Advanced Funeral Planning


Alejandra Aceves
Alejandra Aceves
Alejandra Aceves


Elodia Viezcas
Elodia Viezcas
Elodia Viezcas


Devin Warren
Devin Warren
Devin Warren


Richard Vidal
Richard Vidal
Richard Vidal


Sherri Vidal
Sherri Vidal
Sherri Vidal


Kristen Perez
Kristen Perez
Kristen Perez


Martii Sullivan
Martii Sullivan
Martii Sullivan


Chance Kakar
Chance Kakar
Chance Kakar


Rhonda Palmer
Rhonda Palmer
Rhonda Palmer


Albert Gomez
Albert Gomez
Albert Gomez


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