Our Staff
Rachel Zdilar-Headley
General Manager, Licensed Funeral Director
Longview native and R.A. Long High School graduate, Rachel first started working at Steele Chapel in 2011 as the Cemetery Administrator. Rachel left the funeral industry for a short time while living in Texas, but stayed active in serving her community there. Life led Rachel to Hawaii where she went back into the industry as a funeral director. Rachel moved back home to Longview in 2021 and did not think twice about coming back to Steele Chapel to serve her community again, this time as a Funeral Director and General Manager. Rachel has since had twin girls, Anna and Adaline, who are her world. When she is not working, Rachel is a part of several different community events, playing with her children and pets, and gardening.
Rick Little
Vice President, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
As a 28 year resident of Longview/Kelso, WA, Rick has been employed all that time as a licensed funeral director and embalmer who is currently The Vice President of the Pierce Group Inc. Rick currently serves on the regulatory board for Funeral Homes and Cemeteries in the State of Washington. He is a Past President of the Kelso Lions Club and Past President of Longview Community Church. He is also Past President of the Washington State Funeral Director’s Association of which he was honored as Funeral Director of the Year in 2009. Rick has been involved with Stageworks Northwest (a NonProfit Community Theatre) for the past seven years currently serving as President of the Board of Directors. He has been married to Lorraine for the past 25 years and has two children Lance and Amy.
Susan Sherwin
Funeral Director and Director of Family Services
Susan proudly started working at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel in 2007 after her mother died. She is committed to caring for families with the same compassion shown to her when her mother died. It’s been over 16 years now and she still enjoys coming to work each and every day. Susan is currently our Director of Family Services and is a Funeral Director. Susan is a native of Cowlitz County. Growing up in Longview and then later moved to Kelso where she raised her four children. When not working at the cemetery/funeral home, she enjoys playing with her grandchildren and spending time with her family.
Steele Chapel
Kari Cavaness
Manager of Family Services, and Pre-Need Counselor
Kari has greatly enjoyed working at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel as a Family Services Counselor since 2018. She has lived in Cowlitz County for 19 years and has no intention of leaving this beautiful part of God’s country. Kari is a proud mother of two children; Marissa is a Kelso school teacher and Grant is living at home while he completes his education. She likes to keep busy and involved in her community and is actively a part of her church council, has joined a community fundraising committee, and is a local non-profit board member. Before joining the amazing team at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel Kari worked in employment services assisting those with barriers in obtaining a meaningful life. She is honored now to have the opportunity to assist others at, and before, their time of need.
Jean Ledgerwood
Cemetery Office Administrator
Northwood Park Funeral Home & Cemetery
Mike Dahl
Licensed Funeral Director, Family Service, and Pre-Need Counselor
Mike grew up in the funeral industry and has been with Northwood Park since 2008. He graduated from Kelso High School in 1977 and earned an Associate Degree from Lane community College in Eugene, Oregon in 1980. Mike comes to us after a long career in aviation where he logged over 14000 flight hours mostly as a Bush Pilot in Alaska.
Mike is licensed as both a Funeral Director and an Insurance Agent representing ForeThought Life Insurance Company. Mike can assist you with all your funeral, cremation, and cemetery needs and is a specialist in pre-planning.
Mike has been married to his wife, Paula, since 1981. They have three grown children and five grandchildren. In their spare time they enjoy family time with their grandchildren, boating and the company of their Scottish Terrier.
Mike is very active in the Elks Lodge where he is a Past Exalted Ruler and a State Officer.
Hubbard Funeral Home
Allan Harris
Family Service and Pre-Need Counselor
Allan was bron in Emmett, Idaho and grew up in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Two years after community college graduation he began a career in railroad car repair that spanned 43 years and several moves around the United States until his retirement in November 2017. He and his wife Donna have five children and 18 grandchildren and have called Longview their home since arriving in 1988. Serving others is an important part of everyone's life and Allan finds his work as a Family Service Counselor a rewarding opportunity to help and serve others at their time of need.
Groulx Family Mortuary
Kari Cavaness
Manager of Family Services, Family Service and Pre-Need Conselor
Kari has greatly enjoyed working at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel as a Family Services Counselor since 2018. She has lived in Cowlitz County for 19 years and has no intention of leaving this beautiful part of God's country. Kari is a proud mother of two children; Marissa is a Kelso school teacher and Grant is living at home while he completes his education. She likes to keep busy and involved in her community and is actively a part of her church council, has joined a community fundraising committee, and is a local non-profit board member. Before joining the amazing team at Longview Memorial Park/Steele Chapel, Kari worked in employment services assisting those with barriers in obtaining a meaninful life. She is honored now to have the opportunity to assist others at, and before, their time of need.
