Our Staff

Jon D. Cozean passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born March 30, 1938, in Bonne Terre to the late Charles Hugo and Zelda Theo (Martin) Cozean. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Dr. Charles Cozean and Robin Cozean; one sister, Mary Cozean Alexander; and two brothers-in-law, Donald Jacob and Jim Alexander.

Jon was a respected funeral director, historian, writer, and lifelong advocate for the town of Farmington. He was a proud veteran who faithfully served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his career, he served on numerous civic and professional boards. He was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Farmington.

A fourth-generation owner of Cozean Memorial Chapel, Jon guided the Cozean Memorial Chapel, which is one of Missouri’s oldest and most distinguished funeral homes. Under his leadership, the funeral home earned twenty-three consecutive Pursuit of Excellence Awards from the National Funeral Directors Association. His innovation, compassion, and professionalism within the funeral profession led to his induction into the NFDA Hall of Excellence.

A man of many talents, Jon’s insatiable curiosity led him into a myriad of hobbies and interests, such as journalism, operation of a small radio station at a young age, history, photography, and astronomy. His fascination with communication led him to study journalism at the University of Missouri. He later earned a master's degree from George Washington University and a doctorate in international relations from American University in Washington, D.C. Jon worked for the New York Times Washington D. C. Bureau, which was, as he put it, a favorite chapter of his life.

Jon’s passion for history, learning, and creativity stayed with him throughout his life. An accomplished writer and photographer, he chronicled local life by capturing everything from community events to high school football games. Jon was an ardent supporter of education and civic engagement, often working closely with Mineral Area College and the Zelda Martin Lecture Series. He taught History at Mineral Area College, as well.

His career and character embodied the best of small-town America: intellectual curiosity, quiet dignity, and a steadfast belief in the power of community. Whether speaking with families in grief, mentoring young professionals, or recording the living history of his hometown, he brought compassion and insight into every endeavor.

Larry Lacey is a dedicated member of the Farmington community, having lived in the area for his entire life. With an impressive 42-year tenure at the Farmington Police Department, he has risen through the ranks to become a respected Captain.

Since 2006, Larry has brought his expertise and compassion to Cozean Memorial Chapel as a valued member of our licensed staff. In 2014, he obtained his Funeral Director's license, showcasing his commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients. Additionally, Larry is a licensed preneed agent and a certified crematory operator.

Outside of work, Larry finds joy in his family life, being happily married to Brenda. They are proud parents to three sons, Derrick, Nathan, and Lucas. Derrick's wife, Jen, and their children Graham and Greta, add even more happiness and love to Larry's life.

A native of Carthage, Missouri, Deanna Roberts has been a licensed funeral director/preneed agent for twenty three years and has been part of the Cozean Memorial Chapel team since May 2009. Before coming to Farmington, Deanna served as a lead director for a funeral home in Springfield, Missouri.

She enjoys her role in assisting families throughout the funeral process. 

She and her husband, Roy are  members of Memorial United Methodist Church. They have a daughter, Mackenzie Roberts.  When not working, Deanna enjoys traveling and trout fishing.

A lifetime resident of Jefferson County, Missouri, Dawn Schwartz joined the Cozean staff in March of 2018. She is passionate about her career and feels honored to assist families through the difficult task of funeral planning.  She is also a licensed preneed specialist, a certified crematory operator, a life insurance agent, and has over twenty five years experience in the industry. Dawn is also a member of Kiwanis International.  Her biggest enjoyment in life is spending time with her mom and her daughters, Alaina and Emma. She enjoys being outdoors, attending country music festivals, working on her property and being at the beach. She is also a mom to her five feline companions, Gus, Leo, Macie Rae, Ruby Mae and Tom. 

Dustin Sellars was born and raised in Bowling Green, Missouri, where he graduated from Bowling Green High School in 2016. Guided by a strong desire to help others, he pursued a career in nursing, graduating as salutatorian from Pike-Lincoln Technical Center in Eolia, Missouri. He went on to spend five years working in various healthcare settings, gaining valuable experience and a deep understanding of compassionate care. While working at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Festus, he received the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in recognition of his compassion and excellence in patient care.

After gaining valuable experience in the nursing field, he felt a calling to make a career change and transitioned to the funeral industry. While attending the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, he began working at Cozean Memorial Chapel in 2022, gaining hands-on experience and further developing his skills. In December 2023, he graduated as valedictorian with an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science and was inducted into Pi Sigma Eta, the National Morticians Honors Fraternity, which recognizes excellence in academics, embalming, and restorative art. He is now a licensed funeral director, embalmer, preneed agent, and certified crematory operator, dedicated to providing compassionate care to families in need at Cozean Memorial Chapel.

He is dedicated to furthering his education in the funeral service industry. Currently, he is enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service. This commitment to ongoing learning allows him to stay up to date with the latest practices and advancements in the field, ensuring that he can provide the highest level of care and service to the families he works with.

Outside of his professional life, Dustin enjoys spending time with his two children, Oakleigh and Isaiah, and his canine companions, Roxy and Autumn.

Born and raised right here in Farmington, Missouri, my life’s journey has been defined by a deep devotion to faith, family, and community. After graduating from Farmington High School, I pursued a double major at college in Evangelism and Theology, which laid the foundation for my ordination and years spent pastoring congregations across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Music has also been a profound piece of my story, including the incredible privilege of singing with the legendary Hemphill’s gospel group in Nashville, Tennessee.

Eventually, the road led me back home to Farmington. Today, I combine my ministry background with a hands-on commitment to supporting people during their most difficult moments, serving as an apprentice funeral director, a crematory operator, and a hospice chaplain. My ultimate desire is to touch the lives of families in a deeply positive and comforting way when they need it most.

Outside of my work, I am a devoted family man. Together with my wife, we share a vibrant blended family of six children, seven grandchildren, and one angel grandchild. An outdoor enthusiast at heart, I love spending my free time fishing, enjoying water sports, and I am an avid Cardinals baseball fan.

Mike Grimes serves as a certified crematory operator at Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory. He is a valued member of the Cozean team who assists with the dignified and respectful transfer of loved ones into our care. Mike takes great pride in his role, ensuring every family is treated with compassion and professionalism during their time of loss.

Gary Cooper serves as the IT and digital media specialist at Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory. He creates the chapel’s digital signs, outdoor signage, and video tributes, ensuring each tribute is meaningful and personalized. 

Gary is also a valued member of the funeral team, assisting with services as a funeral assistant, driving the hearse, and providing compassionate support to families during their time of loss. In addition, he serves as the sexton for Cozean’s three cemeteries.

Linda grew up in Fredericktown, Missouri, and graduated from Fredericktown High School. Her parents owned Najim Funeral Home in Fredericktown for over 30 years. Linda has three children, two grandsons, and one granddaughter. Linda and her husband, Glenn, live in Farmington with their dog, Remington. She loves to cook, kayak, and go fishing in her spare time.

Sandi Brooks was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She has dedicated 45 years to nursing, a career that has allowed her to care for others and build meaningful connections throughout her life. She now works at Cozean Memorial Chapel as a part-time secretary.  Her faith and family are the center of her life. She is actively involved in her church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and enjoys serving through volunteer work at the local food pantry. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and pursuing her hobby of quilting. 

Sue Parmley was born in Middletown and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University. She spent 40 years working in the food service industry, a career that allowed her to serve others and build lasting relationships. 

In her free time, she enjoys gardening and staying active in my church community.She has been married for 31 years to David Parmley and they are blessed with two daughters and three grandchildren.

Tim Morgan is an associate at Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory. He was born and raised in Clinton, Kentucky, and is a graduate of Hickman County High School. He went on to attend Murray State University, where he earned a degree in Health and Physical Education.

Tim then pursued a career in law enforcement and faithfully served for 14 years after completing the police academy. In addition to his public service background, he is an ordained minister through the Nazarene denomination and currently serves as pastor of New Beginnings Worship Centre.

Tim and his wife, Janet, have one son and are the proud grandparents of five granddaughters. He brings compassion, faith, and a strong sense of service to his role at Cozean Memorial Chapel, where he is dedicated to supporting families with care and understanding during their time of need.

Jane Carleton was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, and her family moved to Fredericktown, Missouri, when she was three years old. She has been a nurse for over 40 years and ended her nursing career as a Physician Recruiter. Shehad the great opportunity to work with some of the finest physicians in Farmington. She was married to Chuck Carleton for 49 years and they had two children which are also nurses.