Directors

Bruce A. Overton, Founder and Former CEO 
Bruce's dedication to serving families in our communities is truly missed.  
 Bruce Allen Overton was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on December 3, 1943, the son of Milford Lewis & Marjorie Ruth (Worthington) Overton.
Bruce was raised in Hopkinton, Iowa until he was in fifth grade. Then the family moved to Dysart when Milford purchased the local funeral home. Bruce graduated from Dysart High School with the class of 1961, afterwards enrolling at the University of Northern Iowa. Furthering his education, Bruce graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. Choosing to come home, he joined his father in the funeral business, eventually running Overton Funeral Service until his retirement in 2005.
   On April 20, 1963 Bruce was united in marriage to Barbara Joy Paustian at the Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart. Bruce and Barb made their home in Traer until Barbara's death on January 19, 2003. Blessed with finding love again, he married Denise Trunck Stansbery on November 19, 2005.
Bruce was a longtime advocate for funeral service and actively worked to advance the profession. He served as President of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association in 1986-87, and was elected President of the National Funeral Directors Association in 1995-96.
   He gave much of his time to his home community of Traer, volunteering for the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and Masonic Lodge. Bruce was also a member of the Shrine, chairman of the local municipal utility, and chartered the beginnings of the Traer Ambulance Service.
   Over the years Bruce enjoyed traveling, and visited almost every state through his travels with NFDA. He developed treasured friendships through funeral service, and always relished getting together to "solve the world's problems". He and Denise enjoyed his last years wintering in Florida, visiting with his sons, and playing with his grandchildren. Bruce was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2009, which he battled until Saturday, January 23, 2010 when he passed away at his home, with his family by his side. He was 66 years old.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara; father, Milford; brother, Scott; and granddaughter, Susan Ellie.
   His memory is cherished by his wife, Denise; his mother, Ruth; Son Blair with wife Whitney and children Alex, Tyler, and Ryan; Son Brent with wife Rachael and children Claire and Seth.

Shawn Overton
email: shawn@overtonservice.com

Shawn has been a licensed Funeral Director since 1983. He received his high school education from Dysart-Geneseo High School in Dysart, Iowa. He then attended the University of Northern Iowa and in 1981 attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation, he was presented the Albert Worsham Memorial Award in recognition of Outstanding Academic Achievement, the Mu Sigma Alpha Award and Embalming Theory Award. Upon returning home he joined the family firm. Shawn makes his home in Traer, Iowa and  is Manager  Overton Funeral Homes in Dysart, Traer and Garwin as well as Parrott and Wood Chapel of Memories in Waterloo. He attends the United Presbyterian Church and also a member of the Traer Lions Club, and Hesperia Masonic Lodge. He is married to his wife Cherie who is a Special Education Teacher in the South Tama School District in Tama, Iowa. They have two sons Blake and Brodie.

Christine M. Erie long time and experienced licensed funeral director with Overton Family Funeral Homes/Parrott and Wood Funeral Home since 2003. She was born and raised in Waterloo,Iowa, and was a graduate of West High School. Christine continued her education at Hawkeye Community College and Upper Iowa University. She attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. Christine makes her home in Waterloo, with her husband Greg and son Henry. She is a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and is also involved in the Waterloo Police Auxiliary, Friends of the Waterloo Public Library and the Grout Museum District.

Paul A. Smith
email: psmith@overtonservice.com

Paul has been a licensed funeral director since December, 2009 after serving his internship with the Overton Family Funeral Homes.  He is a graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines.  Paul furthered his education and graduated from Hawkeye Community College and the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Economics and Finance in 1988.  He received his education in Mortuary Science at the Des Moines Area Community College and graduated in August 2008.  Paul and his wife, Gina, are the adoptive parents of twin sons, Austin and Grant.  They reside in Waterloo and attend church at Trinity Bible Church in Cedar Falls.  Paul and his family enjoy camping in their spare time.  He is a member of the Cedar Valley Hospice Friends Committee, serves on the board of directors for Cedar Valley Lions Club, is active with Iowa KidSight and a member of the Sons of AMVETS, Post 49 in Cedar Falls.

Angela K. Chambers
email: angela@overtonservice.com        

Angela has been a licensed funeral director since December, 2009 after serving her internship with the Genesis Memorial Group in Waterloo.  She is a graduate of East High School in Waterloo and furthered her education and graduated from Upper Iowa University with a degree in Psychology in 2009. She received her education in Mortuary Science at the Des Moines Area Community College and graduated in August 2008.  She resides in Waterloo and attends Heartland Vineyard Church.   She is a member of the Humane Society of the United States, is an avid supporter of the Black Hawk County Humane Society and for animal rights everywhere.

Sandy Sheda
email:sandy@overtonservice.com
Sandy joined the Overton Family Funeral Home in 2002 after 30 years of banking experience. She graduated from South Tama Community Schools and Cedar Rapids Business College. She and her husband Larry have lived on and off in Traer for over 30 years. Sandy works out of the Traer office and handles a variety of duties which include reception and general office functions. She is also there to help families during visitations and funerals. Sandy is a member of the Traer Presbyterian Church, where she served on the Board of Trustees and Board of Deacons, and is Treasurer of Sunrise Hill Care and Rehab Center. She and her husband are the parents of two daughters, Kimberly and Kelli and two grandchildren Payton and Jamison.

 Ron Waters