Funeral Directors

C. John Linge President & CEO, The Cedar Group

John leads the Cedar Group, which consists of Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery Association, Cedar Memorial Funeral Home Company and the Cremation Society of Eastern - Central - Western Iowa. The Cedar Group is the second largest death care provider in the state of Iowa. Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery manages the largest perpetual care fund in the state of Iowa.

John received valedictorian honors from the first graduating class in the Mortuary Science department at the College of Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Florida. He also received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver, Colorado - graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. He is an Iowa-licensed Funeral Director and Certified Preplanning Consultant.

He is a leader in the funeral industry serving as a past member of the Board of Trustees of the American Cemetery-Mortuary Council, and past president of the Association of Iowa Cemeteries. He speaks throughout the country on issues related to the funeral industry. John has also served on many community boards and committees including Hospice of Mercy, the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Mt. Mercy College.

John loves skiing (snow and water), scuba diving, golf and being with family. John and his wife Dina have two boys - Andrew and Clayton.

Ralph S. Osenbaugh Funeral Director

Ralph joined Cedar Memorial in 1980, as a licensed Funeral Director. His involvement in New Encounters (a widows' social group started by our funeral homes in 1977) is testament to his commitment to our community.

Ralph graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1966 and served with the US Army in Vietnam. He is a member of VFW Post No 788, Marion American Legion Post No 298, Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association, Kenwood Park United Methodist Church, and National and Iowa Funeral Director Associations. Ralph enjoys time with his family, wife Karen, son Mark, daughter Amy, son-in-law Corey, and especially his two grandsons Graham and Mitchell.

Jesse Mulvaney Funeral Director

Born and raised in Coggon, Iowa - Jesse has been a Funeral Director for Cedar Memorial since 1989. He received his B.A. degree from Loras College in Dubuque. After graduation, he enlisted in the army and did a tour with the infantry in Vietnam. After his discharge from the military, he graduated from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. In choosing funeral service as a career, Jesse has found unique opportunities to help families at a difficult time in their lives. He is a member of All Saints Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, both the Iowa and National Funeral Directors Association, VFW Post No. 788 and American Legion Hanford Post NO. 5.

In his spare time, Jesse enjoys golf, yard work, baseball and time spent with his family and friends.

David A. Pfiffner Funeral Director

David began his career with Cedar Memorial as a Funeral Directors Assistant. His involvement at every level of funeral service has given David a true appreciation for providing superior funeral direction and support for families. A 1991 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, David truly enjoys helping people adjust to the overwhelming emotions of grief and anticipating families' specific needs.

David is a native of Cedar Rapids and enjoys spending time with his family, gardening and celebrating the holidays.

Karl J. Palmer Funeral Director

Karl's knowledge of the burial customs of all faiths is invaluable. Karl is a 1979 graduate from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He is a member of both the National Funeral Directors Association and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association. He is past master of the Mt. Herman Masonic Lodge #263, and is now the Wise Master, Chapter of Rose Croix with the Cedar Rapids Consistory. He is also a member of the Jolly Jokers Clown Unit of the El Kahir Shrine located in Cedar Rapids.

Karl and his wife Lisa have been married for 23 years, and have three children. Karl enjoys spending his free time with the El Kahir Shrine and all they do for the community. He also enjoys yard work and gardening.

Barbara A. Teahen Funeral Director

Barbara is a licensed Funeral Director, graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She also has a Bachelor's degree in psychology and human development from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Barbara's twenty years of involvement in the funeral profession helps her understand loss and grief. Barbara has a passion for providing every family with a service that reflects their loved one's life in the most personal and memorable way possible.

Barbara has a daughter and a son and the "two most beautiful grandsons in Chico, California." She is a Resident Advocate at West Ridge Care Center, a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, and loves to spend her free time at her lake cottage in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

Brad Kurtz Funeral Director

Brad has been with Cedar Memorial since serving as a Funeral Directors Assistant in 2001 while attending Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. Brad is currently a licensed Funeral Director, receiving degrees from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and Kirkwood Community College. Brad is a member of Access Iowa, Christ Episcopal Church, Mt. Hermon Masonic Lodge, The Cedar Rapids Consistory, the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association.

Away from work Brad enjoys hockey, football, baseball, traveling, and spending time with family and his black lab, Abby. As a Cedar Rapids native, Brad and his family have helped many people throughout the area for many years, and Brad looks forward to continuing to serve his community through caring and compassionate service at Cedar Memorial.

R.J. Fagle Funeral Director

R.J. handles removals, preparation, cremation, and various other duties in the day-to-day operation of the funeral homes. He also assists families that choose the simplicity of a cremation plan from the Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa. R.J. finds it very rewarding to learn the unique needs of each family and provide the best possible service. R.J. spends his free time with his family.

Dave Farber Funeral Director

David is a licensed Funeral Director in Iowa and Illinois, graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. He also has a Bachelor's degree from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. David serves the families of Cedar Memorial Funeral Home as well as the families of the Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa. When he is not working, David enjoys hunting with his two golden retrievers, Riley and Casey, and spending time with his wife, Amanda.

Royce Lenger Funeral Director

Royce brings over 25 years of experience to families throughout the area. He maintains Iowa and Minnesota Funeral Director Licenses and is a CANA Certified Crematory Operator. He is here to suit your needs in a professional and dignified manner. In his free time, Royce enjoys flying.

Tom Willems Funeral Director

Tom is a licensed Funeral Director, graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Des Plaines, Illinois in 1991. Tom serves the families of Cedar Memorial and the Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa. Tom is a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Iowa Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association.

Tom and his wife, Angie have two children, Mitchell and Kaitlynn. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, boating, fishing, youth hockey, and coaching youth baseball.