From the very beginning, Carson Funeral Homes has responded sensitively to the needs of people, and after over 50 years, the tradition of trust and care continues.
The staff at Carson Funeral Homes live and work within our community as our friends and neighbours, supporting various service clubs, local churches and community organizations. All of our staff are trained in grief counselling, being aware of, and responding to, the individual needs of every family we serve. Every person and every funeral is different. Many of our funerals are still quite traditional. The funeral services which we provide, help bring families comfort in a time of grief. Yet, many people today are asking for more personalized services, including the display of mementos, pictures, live music and a service held in non-traditional settings. Being sensitive also means helping to organize the right funeral within a family's budget.
But our relationships don't end with the funeral service. We follow-up for several months with people who are in need of grief counselling, and will refer them to professional assistance if required. We also help secure any advice that may be needed with estate and legal issues.
The pre-planning of funerals is also becoming more common, and our professional staff is on hand to offer assistance. Pre-planning a funeral can help prevent the stress that family members face when arranging the funeral of a loved one. It can be very hard on a family to suddenly have to make decisions about a funeral, especially if the death was unexpected.
Our staff are here to meet your needs and help you to plan the funeral that best suits your family's traditions and values, whether through a unique and personalized service or a more traditional one. We are here for you.
Carson Funeral Homes Administration
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Bob Carson - President, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: rcarson@carsonfuneralhomes.com
Bob Carson, owner and President of both the Lynn Chapel of Carson Funeral Home in Midland, and the Doolittle Chapel in Orillia, has been working in the funeral industry for almost 50 years. He and his wife Ann, and their 3 sons, Rob, Dan, and Dave, have called Simcoe County home for over 30 years.
As a 17-year old, Bob was drawn to the funeral service profession following the death of his father due to the kind and caring treatment his family received. He began working full-time for Humphrey Funeral Home in Toronto shortly afterwards, simultaneously working towards his Funeral Director’s License in the evenings. Bob and Ann purchased a small funeral home in Brooklin, Ontario, near Whitby, in 1975, which they ran for several years before purchasing the Doolittle Funeral Home-Crawford Chapel in Orillia in 1982. In 1995, Bob and Ann purchased the Lynn-Funeral Home in Midland, again promising to continue the care and service that the Midland area had come to expect from James Lynn, a tradition of service and care in a family-owned environment.
Bob is very active in the community as a member of the Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and the Shrine Club. He is also past-president of the Orillia & Area Chamber of Commerce, and a past member of the board of directors for both the Georgian Bay Lung Association and the Salvation Army.
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Ann Carson - Office Administrator
Ann Carson has been involved in the funeral service profession with her husband for over 25 years. She and her husband Bob, and their three adult children Rob, Dan, and Dave, have called called Simcoe County home for almost 30 years. In addition to working with her family at both the Lynn Chapel of Carson Funeral Home in Midland, and the Doolittle Chapel in Orillia, she is a very active member of the community. Ann is involved in the Quota Club, the Women’s Business Association and Breast Cancer Recovery.
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Robert Carson II - Operating Manager, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: rjcarson@carsonfuneralhomes.com
Rob Carson, a licensed funeral director since graduating from Humber College in 2000, has been involved in the family business his entire life. After gaining additional experience working for Ward Funeral Home in Brampton, ON and Tubman Funeral Home in Ottawa, ON, Robert has now stepped up to the responsibility of Operations Manager, and Chapel Manager of the J.H. Lynn Chapel.
Rob is a Senior officer of the Twin Lakes Lodge No 718 of the AF&AM in Orillia, Vise President of the Orillia Shrine Club (member of the Desert Rider Car Unit), Director on the Board of Management of the Ontario Funeral Service Association (A Provincial Association of Independently Owned and Operated Funeral Homes), member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 80 Midland; and has enjoyed assisting several local charities with events and fund raising.
Parrishener of St. James' Anglican Church in Orillia. Away from the office, Rob enjoys spending time with family and friends, outside and on the water in the summer and the ski hills, in the winter; has volunteered as a youth soccer coach, and coached alpine ski racing in the winter.
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David Carson - Administration Manager, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: dcarson@carsonfuneralhomes.com
David was raised in Orillia and attended Hillcrest Public School, and then O.D.C.V.I. where he graduated with honours in 1998. Following high school, Dave continued his education at the Royal Military College of Canada where he obtained an Honours degree in Business Administration as well as receiving a Queens Commission as an Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. After serving as a reservist in the military for several years, Dave decided to follow in his father's footsteps and enrolled at Humber College in August of 2004. He worked at Ward Funeral Home while attending school, and completed his apprenticeship at Turner and Porter Funeral Home in Toronto. Dave graduated with honours and received his funeral directors license in June of 2006.
Dave has always been very active in his community, and currently serves as a member of the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, and is a member of the Board for the Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce. You may also recognize him from the soccer pitches where hehas volunteered as a little league coach, or around the Legion where he has helped out on events including the Scottish Festival.
Dave looks forward to his continuing commitment to the city of Orillia and all the families that he has the privilege to serve.
L. Doolittle Chapel
- Orillia, Ontario Canada
Jon Griffiths - Licensed Funeral Director
Jon Griffiths has been been involved in funeral service for over 25 years. He has been a licensed funeral director for over 20 of these years. In 1990 Jon received his Diploma in Funeral Service Education from Humber College of Applied Arts & Technology in Etobicoke and Obtained his Ontario Funeral Director's License from the Ontario Board of Funeral Service. After completing his apprentiship at McKersie Funeral Home in Milton, Ont., Jon moved to Orillia to pursue his career in Funeral Service.
Jon is very active in the Orillia community, getting involved in many of his children’s activities including, being a Beaver Leader and a Scout Leader for Scouts Canada, officiating for his daughter's swim club, (The Orillia Channel Cats) and has coached for his son and daughter's T-Ball teams. He is also a 21 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #34, Orillia. Jon is currently on the Board of Directors for the Orillia Kiwanis Club and Vice President of the Orillia Channel Cats Swim Club. He is a former member of the Orillia Y's Men's Club and, along with his wife and children are members of St. Paul’s United Church in Orillia. After being diagnosed with MS in 2006 he has become a huge supporter of the MS Society of Canada, participating in the MS Super Cities Walk to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Jon resides in Orillia with his wife, Tammy, and their two children, Jon Jr. and Lya. In his spare time Jon enjoys quality time with his family, traveling, swimming, long walks, gardening, bowling, baseball and has a passion for hockey.
Colin Wackett - Pre-Arrangement Counselor
Colin Wackett, Pre-Arrangement Counselor for Carson Funeral Homes - Doolittle Chapel.
Born and educated in London, England, Colin joined the Royal Air Force following his school years, serving in the RAF Police he was posted to the Malaya war zone from 1953-1955.
Upon leaving the RAF he served in the London Metropolitan Police and then Toronto Metropolitan Police Service. He was approached by Mutual Life of Canada to investigate a career in financial services, which he did successfully for 35 years before retiring from that industry. During his insurance career Colin earned the following designations; Chartered Life Underwriter. Chartered Financial Consultant. Certified Financial Planner. In addition he is a Life Member of The Million Dollar Round Table.
Colin lives in Orillia and is married to Cathy; he has one daughter Alexandra, and had a son Mark (deceased).
Known for his community work, Colin is Chairman/Convenor of the Orillia Prostate Cancer Awareness Group. Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 34 Executive Committee, Chairman Ukrainian Festival of Barrie, Past President of Orillia Channel Cats Swim Club, a Past President of The Ontario Gymnastics Federation and Vice President of the Canadian Gymnastics Federation, Volunteer fund raiser for OSMH building fund, and has been chair of Church councils and member in both Toronto and Barrie. He also serves with other groups in and around Orillia.
Anne Shivers - Receptionist
Anne Shivers, has been a part of the Carson Funeral Homes team since 1996. Married for 37 years, Anne and her husband Colin have 2 sons, and 3 grandsons. A member of the Church of the Guardian Angels in Orillia, Anne is also an active member/volunteer fitness instructor for the Orillia YMCA. Anne and Colin have made Orillia their home for the past 18 years.
Sue Morris - Receptionist
Sue Morris is a long time resident of Orillia. Having recently retired from a 23 year career providing home daycare, she joined the Carson Funeral Home family in 2006 in the capacity of Funeral Director's Assistant, Receptionist, and Administration. Sue is married to David Morris and they have two sons, Tyler and Zachary. Additionally, she works part time as a customer service representative at House of Wonders by Marsha’s Flowers, and as a Creative Memories consultant.
Sue is actively involved in volunteer work throughout the Orillia community. She currently works with the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #34 Orillia, and is co-founder of the Guardian Angels Christmas Wish Dinner. In her spare time, Sue enjoys scrap booking, baking, reading and spending time with her family.
Joe Edwards - Funeral Director Assistant
Joe Edwards has been an Funeral Directors Assistant (FDA) with Carson Funeral Homes since 2007. Joe has lived in Orillia most of his childhood and is now raising a family of his own. He married his public school sweetheart Meredith in 1997 and has two children, Josie and Hughie. Joe volunteers for the Orillia Channel Cats Swim Club as both of his children are competitive swimmers, and his wife the Head Coach.
Joe became interested in funeral service after the passing of his mother Judy in 2005. He was impressed with the service Carson’s staff provided and appreciated how empathetic and supportive they were. It was then he realized he wanted to be part of such a professional and caring team. He wants to ensure all families are treated as well as he was during such a difficult time.
Joe enjoys spending time with his family traveling around Ontario for his children’s swim meets as well as boating and camping in the summer months.
J.H. Lynn Chapel
- Midland, Ontario Canada
Sam "Noreen" Scott - Receptionist
Born and raised near Waubaushene, Ontario, Sam attended Midland District High School, and then went on to the University of Toronto. Sam is the proud mother of 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Is the owner and operator of Sam's Antiques in Midland. Member of the Rebekah Lodge #199 Midland since 1999 and is the Noble Grand for 2007.
Shaelyn Williamson-Melvin - Funeral Director Assistant
Shaelyn was born in Toronto, and shortly after moved with her family to Midland. Shaelyn is the youngest of three children. She attended Midland Secondary School and in 2004 as a co-op student she did a placement at the “Carson Funeral Homes Lynn Chapel” on First St. in Midland. After her co-op she decided this was the career she wished to persue and after graduation in 2005 she started with the Carson Funeral Homes Lynn Chapel fulltime. Shaelyn has started her studies to become a Licensed Funeral Director by taking the courses offered at Humber College Toronto.
Shaelyn married Thomas Melvin of Penetanguishene in August 2008, than in September 2009 she gave birth to their son Connor. Shaelyn enjoys spending time with her husband, son and two dogs at their home by the beach. Shaelyn also enjoys running, ski-dooing and hockey and is happy to call Midland home.
We are pleased to have Shaelyn as part of our family serving your family when you need our expertise and services.
Beverley Macdonald - Pre-Planning & Aftercare Counsellor
Bev was born in Hamilton, ON but raised in the Midland area. She has accumulated extensive office administration experience in schools, insurance, and dental offices since 1974. This experience was punctuated by opportunities to work as an assembly technician for a major manufacturer in the early 1990s as well as operating her own Bed & Breakfast accommodation for five years beginning in the year 2000.
Through the years, Bev has contributed to the community as a Sunday school teacher, as a facilitator for women’s retreats, and more recently she has received hospice training.
In her spare time, Bev immerses herself in the great outdoors. Living close to Awenda Provincial Park provides her ample opportunity to walk through nature capturing its wonders with photography. She may stop to record her thoughts in a short story, or set out for an adventure on a motorcycle ride. She has recently published her first book written specifically for women, and is currently completing her second book which is geared to children. She continues to write advertising articles for local businesses and newspapers. She truly values every minute of life to the fullest.
Bev remarks that all her experience brings her closer in touch with people, and she now aspires to assisting others through the services of Carson Funeral Homes. She is currently focusing on continuing her career at Carson’s as a Pre-Need Counselor.