Our Family

Our Family

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life.  Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

We Are Available 24/7, Call Anytime (585) 589-4471

David B. Mitchell

David B. Mitchell

Owner/Funeral Director

I was born and raised in the Albion area to Rho and Beverly Mitchell. I am a 1980 graduate of Albion High School and a 1983 graduate of Simmons Institute of Funeral Service, the same college that my father graduated from in 1953. I helped around the family business for many years until I became a funeral director. I purchased Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes from my father in 1992 and remain very involved in day to day business operations, meeting with families, answering the phone and even helping my son, Joshua cut the grass every now and then. I am the father of three boys who all graduated from Holley High School. I am an active member of the Holley Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the Albion Lions Club. My passion is helping our community in any way that I possibly can. The community has supported my family business for many years and our funeral homes would not be what they are today without the support from the community.

​Joshua R. Mitchell

​Joshua R. Mitchell

Owner/Funeral Director/Certified Funeral Celebrant

I grew up in Holley, NY, a son of David and Cindy Mitchell, the oldest of three boys. I graduated from Holley High School in 2008, where I played tennis and soccer. I attended Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse, NY, to follow in the family business. I graduated in 2011 with a degree in Mortuary Science, then lived in Cortland, NY for a year to do my apprenticeship at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home. I began working with my father, David in December of 2012 at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. I am a third generation funeral director since my grandfather started the business in 1957. I am currently the only Certified Funeral Celebrant in Orleans County, helping roughly 15-18 families a year through our firms. It is something that I really enjoy doing. I am an active member and past president of the Holley Rotary Club and also a Paul Harris Fellow. Since 2017 I have helped organize the annual Holley Rotary Gary Ahl Memorial Golf Tournament. I married my wife Tristin on August 21, 2021 and we reside in Holley with our cat Kitty and dog Charles. 

Paula H. Fuller

Paula H. Fuller

Funeral Director

I was born and raised in Macedon, NY to James and Laura Hirliman, one of three children. I graduated from Pal-Mac High School in 1992 and then attended SUNY Canton College of Technology in Canton, NY where I graduated in 1994 with an A.A.S in Mortuary Science. I began my career with the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. of Holley and Albion, NY in the summer of 1994. I married Joe Fuller in 2000 and we had our daughter Julia in 2006. I am a member of Holy Family Parish in Albion, NY, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Albion Fire Department, the Town of Albion Republican Committee as well as the Orleans County Vets Club in Albion. I enjoy bowling, volleyball, softball and vacations with my family. It was a dream of mine since I was 12 years old to become a funeral director and be a part of the community that I work in. 

Scott M. Schmidt

Scott M. Schmidt

Funeral Director

I was born in Buffalo to Bruce and Betty Schmidt and lived in Tonawanda until I was 14. My family moved to Middleport in the summer of 1977 and graduated in 1981 from Royalton Hartland Central School. For reasons of curiosity and love of science, I decided to attend Mortuary School…much to the amusement of my guidance counselor. After graduating in 1983 from SUNY Canton College of Technology, I received an A.A.S. degree in Mortuary Science. Immediately after college a Residency became available at the Urban Funeral Home in Cheektowaga. 6 months into my residency, I became aware of a position opening up at the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home in Albion. Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home was where my residency would be completed and where I would spend the next 15 years serving the communities of Albion and Holley as a Licensed Funeral Director. I was elected to the Office of Coroner in 2000 and have held that position ever since. Following a near-fatal car accident in 1996, challenges arose which led to the opportunity in 1997 to join the Christopher Mitchell team. Also in 1997, I was appointed Chief Coroner for Orleans County. I have embraced the opportunity to work in the community where I live and, remain active in and belong to many organizations including: Barre Center Presbyterian Church where I have served as organist since 2000, Kendall Lions Club, Albion Fire Department, WNY Volunteer Fireman’s Association and the NYS Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. I’ve been deployed to several major Mass Fatality disasters as a member of the National Disaster Medical System’s DMORT unit as well.

Becky Karls

Becky Karls

Funeral Director

I was born and raised in Albion NY, the daughter of Barbara Karls –Dawson. I graduated from Albion High School class of 1992 and then attended SUNY Canton College of Technology, graduating in 1997 with an A.A.S degree in Mortuary Science.  An opportunity came to me to complete my apprenticeship with the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home in Albion where I would spend the next 15 years serving the community as the firm Funeral Director/ Manager. I have a daughter Taylor and I enjoy traveling, bowing, and anything to do with Halloween. I belong to the Albion Rotary Club where I am currently the Club Treasurer and also a Past Paul Harris Fellow. I like to be involved in the community including organizing the Albion Strawberry festival Turtle race, The Rotary Golf Tournament and the Albion Car Show. Currently I work full time at the Office for the Aging  but am available to help families in their time of need.  

Warren Seager

Warren Seager

Funeral Assistant

I graduated from Albion High School in 1973 and have lived in the Orleans County area my entire life. I have been in the construction field for many years and started working at the Merrill Grinnell Funeral Home in 1991 where I assisted with many different jobs around the funeral home. I have been married to my wife June since 1983. I am a member of  the Masonic Renovation Lodge #97 in Albion and enjoy spending time outdoors. I am pleased to join the members of Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals, Inc. and serve the communities that the firms are a part of.

Dana Jensen

Dana Jensen

Funeral Assistant/Student

I was born in Rochester, NY and moved around a bit as a child and graduated fron Rush-Henrietta High School in 2012. I continued my education at Monroe Community College to get my Associates Degree in Psychology, which I obtained in 2019. Taking another leap with my education, I started attending SUNY Canton for Funeral Service Administration. I hope to graduate at the end of 2023. My life isn't all about furthering my studies, I had my daughter in 2015 and I enjoy going to concerts and finding new creative outlets.

Jeff Mitchell

Jeff Mitchell

Handyman/Funeral Assistant

Jeff is originally from the Spencerport area and ironically has the same last name as David and Josh but as we joke, no relation. He does many things around the firms, inside and out and really enjoys helping families with celebrating their loved ones life.

Laura Shupe

Laura Shupe

Funeral Assistant/Student


Charles

Charles

Grief Dog in Training

Charles is a Golden Doodle who is the proud furry son of Joshua Mitchell and his wife Tristin. He was born May 4, 2020 and you might see him around the funeral home from time to time. Be sure to request his attendance at the services for your loved one as he loves people! 

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