About Us
No two funerals are the same. Each family we serve has unique and important needs that we strive to satisfy. By working closely with your family we can arrange a funeral ceremony that will express the special, one-of-a-kind relationship that you shared with your loved one and help enrich the memories that you will cherish forever.
We believe that you will only find this type of dedication from a locally owned funeral home. We are pleased and proud to continue our tradition of compassionate service, from our family to yours.
We hope that our site will be able to answer any questions you might have and we thank you for your interest in our funeral home.
Maintaining a tradition of quality service is our top priority. It is our privilege to uphold that tradition while helping you in your time of need.
We are a family with values, beliefs, and traditions. We are a proud family, much like yours. We understand the special care families need during their time of loss and beyond. We understand about families, because we are one.
We know how important respect and dignity are to a family. That's why we care on a personal level, not because it's our business, but because it's our way of life. As a locally owned and operated home, we take personal pride in providing you with more personalized services, conducted in comfortable surroundings, without high-pressure sales.
We do our best to deliver service beyond expectation. Whether you come to us when your loved one has died, or when you want to make your arrangements in advance, we provide you with services tailored to your needs and desires. Our staff members are your caring friends and neighbors, who are active in your community, and ready to serve you and your family.
Our Valued Staff
Martin D. Vernon, Owner / Funeral Director / Embalmer
Randy & Cindy Walters, Former Owners / Funeral Directors
Randy is a 1978 graduate of Lebanon High School in Lebanon, MO and a 1984 graduate of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. He joined the Memorial Chapel staff in 1987 and obtained his funeral directors license in 1988. Cindy is a 1980 graduate of Lebanon High School in Lebanon, MO. She joined the Memorial Chapel staff in 1987 and obtained her license as funeral director in 1988. Randy and Cindy have two daughters: Sarah and her husband, Matt, and Whitney and her husband Daniel: and two grandchildren: Kinslee and Camden.
Bill & Janell Walters, Founders / Retired Funeral Directors
Layne and Becky Lercher, Funeral Directors
Layne joined the staff in 2000 and was licensed in 2001 as a funeral director. Layne is a life long resident of Waynesville and a 1989 graduate of Waynesville High School. He furthered his education by attending Missouri State University, Drury University and received his Bachelor's Degree from Columbia College. In the Spring of 2010, Layne accepted the position of Mortuary Affairs Coordinator for the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood where he served until returning full time to the funeral home in August 2018.
Becky joined the staff in 2002 and was licensed in 2003 as a funeral director. She is a 1988 graduate of Mountain Grove Christian Academy in Mountain Grove, Missouri and a 1993 graduate of Free Will Baptist Bible College (now known as Welch College) in Nashville, Tennessee. Layne and Becky were married in June 1998 and they make their home in Waynesville along with their daughter: Lauryn. They are active in their community and attend Westside Baptist Church of Waynesville.Cheryl Oursbourn, Administrative Assistant for Richland
Cheryl has been on staff with the funeral home since December 20, 2002. She is the Administrative Assistant for the Richland facility that opened it's doors in February of 2003. She grew up in Lebanon, MO, where she met, and soon married, Barry Oursbourn, in May of 1976. The couple made their home near Stoutland, and are blessed with one son, Adam and his wife, Anna, and are proud grandparents to grandson, Elijah. Barry and Cheryl are long-time members of Grace Baptist Church in Richland..
Morris & Lois Williams, Pre-Need Consultants
Morris and Lois have been employed with Memorial Chapels as pre-need consultants since February 1992. They have two children: Tami and her husband Keith and Darrin and his wife Deanna. They also have five grandchildren: Nathan, Matthew, Ashley, Jeffrey and Kristopher. They are members of the Concord Baptist Church of Jefferson City, Missouri.