About Us

Having a passion for their work and a desire to be closer to family, Gary and Stephanie Deiters saw an opportunity to provide the communities of Washington and East Peoria with a better funeral service option.  Their dream of funeral home ownership became a reality with the opening of their facility in Washington in 1999.  Built on the principals of service, facility, and price, Deiters Funeral Home has continued to grow in its service to the community over the past several years.

In May of 2005, Deiters Funeral Home in East Peoria was completed. After seeing a steady incline in the number of families served from East Peoria, Gary and Stephanie built a new facility located at 444 E. Washington Street in East Peoria, again offering the same first-class service, facility and competitive pricing. They are proud to offer the only family-owned funeral home in the East Peoria community.

Gary and Stephanie continue to be actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the business. Each enjoys different aspects of the operation, and both care deeply for the families that they have cared for over the past seven years. Gary and Stephanie have 5 children; Ally, Elizabeth, Luke, Claire and Issac and currently reside above the funeral home in Washington.

Community involvement is a very important aspect of Deiters Funeral Home.  Gary and Stephanie have a personal connection and passion for veterans.  They initiated an Annual Veterans Day Program in Washington where there is a presentation of Presidential Memorial Certificates for each family of a deceased veteran from the previous year. Having supported the construction of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. through their annual Veterans Day Program, the funeral home even sponsored a bus trip to attend the dedication in May of 2004.  Other activities such as a Marine Luncheon Sponsorship, a Veterans History Project with a local grade school, and a Veterans Night at the Symphony, are just a few of the various veterans activities they have supported.

Other funeral home activities include tours and programs for various schools, hospices, and organizations.  They have also been involved with the After Prom re-enactment at the local high school, book donations to various community libraries, and numerous conventions and meetings to better educate their staff on changes in funeral service. Deiters Funeral Home is also a proud recipient of the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Eagle Award in 2004 and 2005.

Deiters Funeral Home provides Washington and East Peoria with great service, first-class facilities, and reasonable prices.  Deiters Funeral Home is also pleased to be involved in the communities of Washington and East Peoria .  We realize the importance of giving back to the communities that have embraced us since we began, and we want you to know that we're here to help you.


 
 


Gary and Stephanie Deiters 		Gary Deiters - President, Funeral Director
Raised in Beckemeyer, IL, Gary graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He worked in both Danville and Decatur, IL, before he and his wife Stephanie started Deiters Funeral Home in 1999. He is currently serving as the President of the Washington Chamber of Commerce and is involved in the Rotary Club of Washington, the Kiwanis Club of East Peoria, St. Patrick’s Church in Washington and the Knights of Columbus (3rd and 4th degrees). Gary and Stephanie have 5 children; Ally, Elizabeth, Luke, Claire and Issac.

Stephanie Deiters - Funeral Director
Raised in Washington , IL , Stephanie is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and worked in two area funeral homes, one in Peoria , and one in East Peoria , prior to starting Deiters Funeral Home.  She is involved in the Washington Historical Society, the Carl Sandburg Mortuary Science Advisory Board, the Washington Leadership Challenge, St. Patrick's Church in Washington and is a past member of the Rotary Club of East Peoria.
 

Bryan and Holly Gibson
Funeral Director 		A 2002 graduate of the Carl Sandburg College Mortuary Science Program, Bryan has been with the Deiters family ever since. Bryan is a member of the East Peoria Rotary Club and is a den leader for the Cub Scouts of Pack 29 at Robein School in East Peoria. He currently serves as the president of IFDA District #8. Bryan and his wife Holly are members of Highview Christian Church in Washington where they play in the worship band and teach Sunday school. They have 3 children; William, Elliott, and Samuel.
 
Bruce started his career with Deiters Funeral Home as a funeral assistant before going back to school to become a funeral director. He graduated from the Carl Sandburg College Mortuary Science program in May of 2004. An Air Force veteran, Bruce’s first career had been with Illinois Central College as the Director of Computer Services. He is a member of the First Federated Church in Peoria, the Ivy Club and Arrowhead Country Club. He and his wife, Trish, have 2 daughters, Sarah Blake and Elizabeth Owens and 3 grandchildren.
Bruce and Trisha Fordyce
Funeral Director Apprentice
 
Before becoming one of the first employees at Deiters Funeral Home back in 1999, Ken served as the Superintendent at School District 51 in Washington before he retired in 1998. Ken is member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and has served as a board member for the Washington Fire and Rescue Squad (15 years) and Planning Commission (14 years). He is currently the Township Supervisor, which he has held for 6 years, and is also involved with the Illinois River Valley Council of Governments. He and his wife Mary Jo have 2 children, Jill and Chris, as well as 6 grandchildren.
Kenneth G. and Mary Jo Holford
Funeral Assistant
 
Ken, also one of Deiters Funeral Home's first employees, was involved in education for 38 years in Washington , retiring as a middle school principal in 1997. He and his wife, Karen, are members of St. Patrick’s Church in Washington. Ken is also a member of the St. Pat’s Knights of Columbus and the Washington Lions Club. Ken and Karen have 4 children—Janet, Tom, Marie and Jean, as well as 9 grandchildren.
Ken and Karen Gisleson
Funeral Assistant
 
Earl has been with us since April of 2005 but prior to this, he was a Kroger Warehouse Supervisor for 30 years and also spent some time with Caterpillar, Inc. He and his wife Carol have been members at St. Patrick Church in Washington for 37 years. Earl is also a 3rd and 4th degree knight with the Knights of Columbus. They have 2 sons, Joseph and Danny, 1 daughter, Jeannie Church, and 4 grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, Brooke and Jaden.
Earl W. and Carol Lee
Funeral Assistant
 
Carol joined the Deiters family in November of 2005. Carol is a member of the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria, and is also a member of the Pimiteoui Hiking Club and is proud to be a Tazewell County Master Gardener. She and her husband Doug (married for 43 years) have one son, Ted Ogle, and 3 grandchildren, Samantha, Natalie, and Abbe.
Carol Ann and Doug Ogle
Funeral Assistant
 
The “Jack-Of-All-Trades” at Deiters Funeral Home, Roger started with us in July of 2005 after spending 31 years at Caterpillar, Inc. He and his wife Zoe are members at Gamber Cove/Crystal Lakes Inc. and have been fishing and camping in the Galesburg area since 1991. They have 1 daughter, Stefanie and 2 grandchildren, Malori Jo and Alix.
Roger and Zoe Tate
Maintenance