Barbara Higgins

retired funeral director and former vice president, Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Youngstown, Ohio, and mother of funeral director
Judith Higgins-Reardon, died June 13, 2026, at age 91.

Higgins graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science.

Higgins was active in Girl Scouts, St. Christine School, the Austintown Kiwaniqueens, the Athenaeum Club, Cardinal Mooney High School, the Youngstown Area Federated Women’s Club and the Ohio Federated Women’s Club. With these organizations, she held numerous leadership roles. She also devoted many years to supporting kidney patients through her work with the Eastern Regional Kidney Foundation and Western Reserve Care System.

Higgins is survived by daughters Patricia, Susan, Katie and Judy; eight grandchildren; and five great-granddaughters.

Kenneth R. Hofmeister

retired funeral director and former owner, Hofmeister Funeral Home, Parker, South Dakota, died June 2, 2026, at age 90.

Hofmeister attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, South Dakota, and South Dakota State College in Brookings. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science.

He owned and operated the Hurley Leader newspaper from 1965 until 1973, then he followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by working in funeral service. He and his wife purchased Hofmeister Funeral Home in 1973. Later, he was a founding member of Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which opened in 1988. He officially retired in 1998 but continued to help with funerals.

Hofmeister was a founding member of ParMar Country Club, as well as a member of the Parker Development Corp, Parker Area Medical Board, Parker Commercial Club and Rosehill Cemetery Association. He was a member of Parker Masonic Lodge, where he served as past master; a member of the Yankton Consistory, El Riad Shrine and Parker Shrine Club; and a 30-year member of the Parker Volunteer Fire Department. Lastly, he was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian, where he served as a trustee, elder and deacon.

Hofmeister is survived by wife Mary Lou, children Pamela and Darrin, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Timothy Kowalski

funeral director and instructor, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois, died May 27, 2026, at age 75.

Kowalski himself attended Worsham College. A few years after graduation, the owners of the school asked him to join the faculty, and he gladly accepted. For more than 35 years, he influenced generations of young (and not-so-young) funeral directors and embalmers. He always said teaching at Worsham was rewarding beyond belief. He also had an undergraduate degree in classical languages, and he maintained his interest in classical literature and history.

Kowalski is survived by wife Mary Jane, brother Thomas, in-laws, nieces and nephews.   

Richard S. Mansfield Jr.

owner and funeral director, Miles Funeral Home, Holden, Massachusetts, died June 10, 2026, at age 70.

Mansfield graduated from the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Boston, Massachusetts, with a degree in mortuary science. He later attended Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After 18 years at Miles Funeral Home, Mansfield went on to purchase the firm and provide more than three decades of service to the community.

Mansfield was a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes and former board member of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association. He also served as president of the Greater Worcester Funeral Directors Association.

Devoted to senior advocacy, Mansfield served as chairman of the Holden Council on Aging for more than 10 years and helped guide the development of the town’s senior center. He also completed two five-year terms on the Elder Services of Worcester Area Board of Directors. He served on the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce, as well. Additionally, he was treasurer of Holden’s 250th Celebration Committee, a member of the Shriners and a Scottish Rite Mason.

Mansfield is survived by wife Beverly, children Ashley and Richard S. III, and granddaughter Summer.

Richard A. Nienow

retired funeral director and past owner, Hafemeister Funeral Home, Watertown, Wisconsin, died May 30, 2026, at age 69.

Nienow pursued his education in Madison, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then served both communities through his involvement in emergency medical services. He graduated with a mortuary science degree in 1980.

For more than 30 years, Nienow served the Watertown Fire Department Auxiliary as a Certified Firefighter II, engine-pump operator and emergency medical technician. He was a member and past president of the Watertown Lions Club, and he was certified in eye-tissue enucleation for corneal transplants with the Wisconsin Eye Bank. He was a member of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and Watertown Moose Lodge, as well as a former board member of Crossroads. Nienow served on the executive board of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce. He also completed more than 18 years of service as a board member and chairman of the Watertown Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Nienow was a lifelong member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he dedicated his time to numerous boards and committees.

Nienow is survived by sons Michael and Mark, and his granddaughters.

Robert F. Vandenbergh

retired funeral director, NFDA past president, Michigan Funeral Directors Association past president and former partner, Kaul Funeral Home, Rochester, Michigan, died May 26, 2026, at age 78.

Vandenbergh served in the Army National Guard and on the Department of Defense facility inspection team from 2013 to 2018.

Vandenbergh graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Over the years, he became partner and eventually president and CEO of Fred H. Kaul Funeral Homes, which has locations in Roseville, Clinton Township, and St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

He served on numerous committees and in all offices of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association before his term as president. On the national level, he served on every NFDA committee and in all NFDA offices, including president. He earned the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and eventually became a member of the Service Corporation International Former Owners Council.

He tirelessly served the future of the profession and created paths to opportunity through scholarship programs. He was a member of the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science Advisory Committee, a team member of American Board of Funeral Service Education Accreditation, an ambassador for and member of the board of trustees of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, and a member of the Eugene Applebaum School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Board of Visitors.

He also proudly held a lifetime membership with the Belgian American Association.

He is survived by wife Bonnie, and brothers Albert and Peter.