Meet Our Staff
Outstanding Service is Our Priority
The highest level of care starts with the quality staff members who will meet with your family. When you lose someone you love, you need someone who will listen to you and provide a healing and meaningful experience. Our highly qualified staff is ready to assist you throughout this difficult time.
If you are interested in preplanning for your funeral wishes, we invite you to book a meeting with our Preplanning Specialist to learn more about the process and its benefits.
Kristan McNames graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor Degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service and has 25 years of experience in the profession.
She is a resident of Loves Park, where she lives with her three boys: Nate (21), Gabe (18), and Eli (15); a reclusive calico cat named Thunderbug; a scrawny tiger striped cat named Sherman Peacock; a delightful and mischievous ginger kitten named Cheddar; a grouchy Blue Heeler named Dingus; and Wally, an English Labrador puppy who is a comfort dog in training at the funeral home.
When she's not a work, Kristan enjoys spending time with her boys and her best friends. She also loves practicing yoga, attending Pilates classes, reading, embroidery, camping, and sampling whiskey.
Deborah graduated in 1994 from Southern Illinois University with her A.A.S. in Mortuary Science and Funeral Services. With 30 years of experience, Deb has worked in all aspects of funeral service and enjoys assisting families in creating meaningful experiences surrounding their loved ones' deaths.
Deb was born and raised in Monroe Center, IL and has lived in the Rockford area most of her adult life.
In addition to funeral service, Deb earned her M.F.A. in Writing and Consciousness from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2012. She teaches writing, is a Reiki Master, and facilitates women's retreats. She is a member of Womanspace and the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Samantha Rossi graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2007. After her graduation, she worked at funeral homes in the Chicago suburbs, and as a manager at Muzyka & Son Funeral Home in Chicago. She was given the freedom and flexibility to run the business as if it were her own; gaining valuable skills and bringing a progressive perspective to an often traditional field.
In 2014, Samantha had her first child, Louis and shortly after in 2015 her daughter, Marilyn. Samantha juggled being a new mom, running a new business, and managing the funeral home fulltime. She was on the path to funeral home ownership but life took an unfortunate turn when her mother was diagnosed with triple-negative-breast cancer in 2015. Stepping back from her full-time management position allowed her to start her own funeral trade service and pet cremation business, which gave her the flexibility and balance she needed to raise her children and help with her mother’s medical needs. She continued to push through the rollercoaster; sadly she ended up losing her father in 2018 (53 years old), and her mother in 2020 (54 years old).
Though her losses are tragic and she endured them at a young age, her life has allowed her to see things very differently. This strength allowed her to start Straight Paths, Inc. a funeral consulting company.
Samantha's motivation and life experiences bring a new light to the funeral profession. Samantha is a bright light in the funeral profession, she truly cares about her clients and the families she cares for. Her love of people, enthusiasm and professional skill set have had a great impact on Grace Funeral & Cremation Services.
Belen loves creating meaningful and unique events and experiences and has brought her passion for planning and events to Grace Funeral & Cremation Services, Faithful Friends Funeral & Cremation Services, and Edgewater Events.
Belen meets with families and clients to show them our event space, listen to their plans, and help make their ideas a reality.
She’s dedicated to creating meaningful celebrations of life, funerals, Quinceañeras, and special events that feel effortless, personal, and exactly as imagined.
Belen is bilingual, an avid baker and cupcake and cake decorator, and a long-time Rockford resident and enthusiast.
Pat was born and raised in Rockford, attended St. James and St. Peters and is a graduate of West High School, class of 1972. He’s been a drummer in several area bands for 60 years and worked locally in funeral service for 44 years. He lives in Rockford, with his wife Nancy and his dogs Buddy and Bella. He is warm and compassionate and enjoys partnering with grieving families in their time of need. Pat is assisting with operating our pet and human crematories. You’ll also see his friendly smile at visitation and funeral services.
Wally is a three-year-old English Labrador that comforts grieving families and their guests. He enjoys working visitations and funeral services, imploring people for snacks and rump scratches.
The best part of Wally’s day is when his best friend Pete, our UPS delivery driver, swings by the funeral home.
In addition to his Comfort Dog responsibilities, he is the Director of Human Resources. When Wally’s off the clock, you can find him loafing around the McNames household, going on long car rides, swimming, and camping.
Tony relocated to the Grace Funeral & Cremation Services facility in the summer of 2024. He’s a lifelong Rockford resident, and a 4 generation funeral director. Tony attended St. Francis Consolidated grade schools, Boylan Central Catholic High School, Western Illinois University, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He and his wife Nicole have raised 3 boys in Rockford. More information about his business can be found here: www.tonygasparinifunerals.com
