Our Staff

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Meet 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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Cody M. Nielsen

Owner/Funeral Director

Cody M. Nielsen, Owner/Licensed Funeral Director-Cody has been a resident of McBain his entire life and graduated from McBain Public High School in 2007. In 2009, he married his high-school sweetheart, Jessica (Dick) Nielsen. They reside on the outskirts of McBain with their two children, Tenley and Kade, as well as their Golden Retriever Cash. Cody received his degree in mortuary science from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, and obtained his license from the State of Michigan shortly thereafter. Cody and Jessica purchased the funeral home from Cody's Grandparents Keith and Norma Burkholder in 2026. They are excited to continue their legacy committed to serving this community.
Cody is a member of the Prosper CRC in Falmouth and enjoys hobby farming and gardening with his family.

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Jessica Nielsen

Co-Owner

Jessica has been a lifelong resident of McBain, graduating from McBain Public High School. She is married to Cody Nielsen, and they have two children, Tenley and Kade.

Jessica works full-time as the Missaukee County Administrator for Missaukee County. She is "behind the scenes" at the Funeral Home but enjoys helping Cody and staff serve the community.

In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, bringing her kids to and from and watching them play sports, reading and gardening.

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Alyssa Hamilton

Office Manager

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Keith Burkholder

Licensed Funeral Director

Keith Burkholder is the former owner of the Burkholder Family Funeral Home LLC.

Keith served his community as a funeral director for over 50 years.
Upon graduating high school from Lake City in 1965, Keith went on to pursue a degree in mortuary science from Wayne State University, graduating in 1971 and receiving his mortuary license the same year with the help and support of his wife Norma J. He then went on to work at Brown Funeral Home in Flint and Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in Lansing. In 1974, he returned home to Missaukee County (McBain) and began serving the families of McBain and the surrounding areas, and is continuing to do so to this day. Keith has always been active and worked many jobs to support his family. He enjoys many different hobbies, collecting, deer hunting, and traveling.

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Ken Roede

Funeral Staff

Ken is a lifelong resident of the McBain/Marion area. He is very active in the NMC school, Highland CRC, and helping anyone out that he can. He and his wife enjoy spending time in their garden, canning and going for walks.

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Steve Herweyer

Funeral Staff

Steve and his wife, Connie, have been lifelong residents Missaukee County. Steve assists with various tasks around the funeral home, and can be found assisting on most funerals. In his spare time, he enjoys cutting firewood, hunting, and going camping with his wife.

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Carl Dick

Funeral Staff

Carl Dick is a lifelong resident of Missaukee County and a graduate of McBain Northern Michigan Christian School. After farming for many years, Carl became a licensed contractor and has been building and remodeling for over 30 years. Carl joined the funeral home as part-time support staff in 2023. Carl and his wife, Chris, live in Falmouth and in their free time enjoy spending time with their five children and many grandchildren, as well as hunting, gardening, and hobby farming.

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Duane Sawmiller

Funeral Staff

Duane is a resident of McBain. He graduated from Cadillac High School and served in the United States Army from 1982-1993. After his military service, Duane served on various EMS crews around Wexford and Missaukee Counties. Duane is responsible for maintenance and yard duties around the funeral home.

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Sidney Flynn

Funeral Staff

Sidney has been a resident of McBain her whole life. A 2023 graduate of McBain High School and a 2026 Baker College graduate. She enjoys spending time outdoors and plans to extend her career into mortuary science.

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Brent Deller

Funeral Staff

Brent moved to Missaukee county in May of 2008. He resides in McBain with his wife Katie and two kids. He has served the community and state through the dairy and automotive industries. Brent moved into elementary education at NMCS in 2025. When he isn't working/serving he can be found bass fishing, camping and road tripping with his family. He also enjoys supporting local and professional sports in Michigan.

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Julie Bonham

Office Assistant

Julie moved to McBain in 1966 and graduated from McBain Rural Agricultural School. She and her husband, Steve, married shortly thereafter and have 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. Julie worked at Mercy Hospital/Munson Cadillac Hospital for 40 years and retired in 2017. She now assists in the office at the funeral home as needed, and volunteers at Friends Ministry Thrift Store in Lake City and with the McBain School Backpack Program.