Jessica Turner

Assistant Manager – Pet Specialist

Jessica Turner is the assistant manager of Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory. Prior to joining Cherished Pets, Jessica was a long-time employee in the funeral industry and worked at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home.

She is a valuable, kind and compassionate member of the Cherished Pets team. She is a Certified Pet Funeral Director, Certified Pet Bereavement Specialist, and ICCFA Certified Crematory Operator. Jessica is a pet owner and understands perfectly the overwhelming grief that happens when a cherished pet passes away.

Jessica assists Richard, the general manager, in overseeing all aspects of Cherished Pets, as well as training new team members. As an experienced funeral director, she regularly meets with families to plan special ceremonies to remember their pet family member.

Jessica grew up in the Springfield area and has been in the funeral business for over 20 plus years. Jessica is currently completing her degree in mortuary funeral science.

Jessica has one son Evan, who often accompanies her on long trips to escort those to be laid to rest at their designated cemetery. In her spare time she enjoys going to her son’s sporting events and time with family

Michael Humiston

Pet Specialist – IT Specialist, Transportation, and Crematory Tech

Michael is the son of Dr. Ruth Ann and joins the family as a third generation family member dedicated to serving our community when a family member passes away. His role at Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory includes being the IT specialist, driver, and crematory tech.

Michael attended school in Republic K-12. He was very active in the band program with percussion instruments. Michael was also a part of the FFA.

Upon graduating from high school, Michael attended college at Missouri State University and Ozark Technical Community College.

Michael’s first dog was the family’s beloved Buddy, an Australian Shepard, who passed away in 2021 from cancer. Missy joined Buddy soon after to Michael’s family, then Stella just a few years ago. Michael has shown horses in the past, winning the National High Point Lead Line honor, however, he states that he would rather not “watch horses go around in circles at a horse show.” He does love a good horse race and spending time at the race track trying to choose the winners (no money being involved).

In Michael’s spare time, he enjoys playing video games. He has always been tasked with doing all the IT projects for his family.

Gabe Humiston

Pet Specialist and Crematory Operator

Gabe Humiston is Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory preneed agent. He is the third generation family member in the funeral industry, following his grandparents and mother’s footsteps. He brings valuable skills and expertise in many supportive ways to better serve those who have passed away and their grieving families.

He has worked at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd – DeGraffenreid-Wood Crematory for several years as a licensed preneed agent, licensed insurance agent, apprentice funeral director, and notary.

Gabe graduated from Republic High School where he was very active in FFA, receiving many awards and degrees, and achieving the highest prestigious National FFA American Degree.

Gabe is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys raising, training and showing horses, with a world championship and a couple of reserve world championships to his name. Gabe’s furry and feather family members include Dale, his Australian Shepherd, barn cats, and chickens.

Debbie Stafford

Pet Specialist and Administrative Assistant

Debbie Stafford is a pet specialist and administrative assistant with Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory. She joined the Cherished Pets team after a long tenure in the funeral industry as a well-known family counselor in her previous role with corporately-owned cemeteries in the Springfield area. Prior to a career in funeral service, Debbie managed three gift stores including the Gift Attic at the Battlefield Mall.

Pet families are fortunate to have Debbie at Cherished Pets with her vast amount of experience working with grieving families. She helps pet families in many capacities including planning for celebrations of life.

Pet families will appreciate Debbie’s caring and compassionate heart. Debbie has several pets herself that include cats and dogs. She has had a lizard and iguana as well that have passed away. She truly understands from experience that not only human family members grieve the passing of a loved one, but our pets do as well.

Debbie is a Springfield native. She has two daughters and a grandson.

Phillip Wright

Pet Chaplain

Phillip Wright is our designated pet chaplain here at Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory. He has been one of our highly trusted and appreciated pastors and celebrants for families at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home for many years, with his comforting personalized messages to celebrate the lives of loved ones.

Phillip is a seasoned pastor with an unwavering commitment to faith and community. For nearly five decades, he has dedicated his life to challenging traditional religious boundaries and inspiring others to embrace love as the cornerstone of their lives. With a passion for fostering a loving and inclusive community, Phillip encourages his congregation to extend compassion and service to all.

Deeply influenced by the teachings of St. Francis, Phillip lives by these words, “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission—to be of service to them wherever they require it.”

Phillip personally understands the grief of having a pet family member pass away, as his family loved Sprinkles, their family dog, who passed away.

Combining his many years of ministry as a spiritual leader and his personal understanding of pet grief, Phillip is available to be of support to conduct memorial and funeral services for pet family members.

Phillip is married to Denise, and they have two grown sons.