Who We Are

Marissa Berdan joined our team in September 2023 as Administrative Assistant. With her warm smile, calm nature, and genuine ability to connect with others, Marissa quickly became an important part of the care we provide to families each day.

Often the first voice a family hears when contacting our funeral home, Marissa is dedicated to ensuring each person feels welcomed, heard, and cared for from their very first interaction.

Raised in the area, Marissa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Gerontology while studying in Fredericton. She now resides with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching hockey and baseball, playing along with Jeopardy, and visiting the beach in every season.

Jacqueline Darroch has played an important role in the work we do for more than 20 years. While her responsibilities have changed over time, her dedication to the families we serve and her careful attention to detail have remained constant.

Originally from Lucan, Jacqueline now calls the area home. She is also the Past Chair of the VON Palliative Care Advisory Board in Perth-Huron.

Jen Denys brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to her role as Aftercare Specialist and Funeral Pre-Planner. With a background as a facilitator and business professional, Jen helps families with pre-arrangements and supports them as they navigate estate paperwork following a loss.

A Certified Funeral Celebrant and Certified Professional Coach, Jen also completed her Master of Theological Studies in 2023. Raised locally, she now resides in the area with her husband and children.

Wes Elmes, licensed since 2013, joined the Haskett Funeral Homes team in 2017 and quickly became a trusted leader within both our organization and the profession.

Raised in a rural community, Wes appreciates working with families and communities that value personal relationships, trust, and compassionate care. Deeply committed to the families he serves, Wes takes pride in helping create services that are personal, meaningful, and reflective of each individual life.

In addition to being a licensed Funeral Director, Wes is a Certified Funeral Celebrant and Registered Practical Nurse. He also serves as the current President of the Western Ontario Funeral Service Association.

Outside of work, Wes enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing hockey, and playing pickleball.

Kaylee Geiger holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Waterloo and is passionately working toward her goal of attending medical school. She hopes to one day serve rural communities as a dedicated physician.

Alongside her role at Haskett Funeral Homes, Kaylee also shares her knowledge and experience by tutoring students as they work toward their own academic goals.

Bill Haskett, licensed in 1971, is the fourth generation of the Haskett family to own and operate the family business. Throughout his career, Bill has contributed greatly to the funeral profession, including serving as Past President of the Western Ontario Funeral Service Association.

Bill also represented the profession for three consecutive three-year terms as one of two funeral directors in Ontario serving as panel members for the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

After raising his family above the funeral home in Lucan, Bill and his wife, Sue, moved just north of Grand Bend to the family cottage.

Colin Haskett is a proud fifth-generation funeral director who has been licensed since 2002. He is passionate about ensuring families continue to receive compassionate, personal care while helping guide the profession forward.

In addition to his role at Haskett Funeral Homes, Colin serves as Senior Director of Operations and Business Development at Southwest Crematoriums and is the Vice Chair of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.

Colin also chairs the Governance Board at Jessica’s House Hospice, coaches youth hockey, and contributes to various local boards and committees.

Above all, Colin is a proud husband and father of three.

Mary Hulley joined our team after closing her retail business of 20 years. Coming from a service-oriented background, Mary felt drawn to a profession where she could provide meaningful support to others during difficult times.

A proud mother and grandmother, Mary has called the area home for more than 30 years. She brings a calm presence, a sense of humour, and a wealth of life experience to our team, and we are grateful for the care she provides to families and colleagues alike.

Paul McTaggart has quietly worked behind the scenes since 2016, assisting with property, building, and vehicle maintenance. After a career as a welder, Paul takes great pride in making sure things are kept in good order and ready when they are needed.

Paul also enjoys the flexibility of being able to get out on the lake when the fish are biting.

Noah Mitchell began his journey with Haskett Funeral Homes as a teenager in 2013, helping with various tasks around the funeral home. Inspired by the meaningful difference funeral service can make, Noah chose to pursue it as a career and attended Humber College in 2017.

Noah became a licensed Funeral Director in December 2019 and became a Certified Funeral Celebrant in 2020. With deep roots in the community and a compassionate approach, Noah is honoured to support families with care and professionalism during some of life’s most difficult moments.

In his spare time, Noah enjoys spending time with his buddies, attending concerts, and hitting the slopes on his snowboard.

Julia Onclin, originally from St. Marys, joined our team in 2024 as a licensed Funeral Director. She brings a thoughtful approach to funeral service and a deep respect for the dignity and individuality of every life.

Julia is passionate about helping create personalized and thoughtful services that reflect the unique legacy of every loved one.

In her downtime, Julia enjoys trips to the family cabin on the Bruce Peninsula and spending time with her beloved dog, Lenny.

Amanda (Gadsby) Rood is a licensed Funeral Director who joined the T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home team in the spring of 2013. A graduate of Trent University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science, Amanda later completed her Funeral Director’s Licence through Humber College, where she was recognized on the Dean’s Honour Roll.

Originally from Oil Springs, Amanda came to Dashwood following a one-year internship with Smith Funeral Home & Family Centre in Sarnia, where she gained valuable experience in both pre-planning and at-need funeral services. Amanda is dedicated to helping families navigate difficult times with compassion, professionalism, and a thoughtful understanding of the many options available to them.

Allyson Squire has devoted more than two decades to working with Haskett Funeral Homes, serving families throughout our communities with compassion, professionalism, and care.

A past president of the Western Ontario Funeral Service Association, Allyson is also a skilled Certified Funeral Celebrant known for her heartfelt approach and her ability to help create services that truly reflect the life being honoured.

Outside of funeral service, Allyson gives back to her community by coaching baseball and hockey for young women.

We are grateful Allyson has found her calling in serving families through funeral service. She approaches every family she serves with the same care and kindness she would extend to her own.