Our Staff

Our funeral home is a family owned and operated business. We are large enough to give our families the same service as the largest funeral homes around, yet we are small enough that each family gets the level of attention and care they deserve.

Ken started in the funeral business at Martin Bros. Funeral Home when he was a senior at Flint Central High School in Flint, Michigan where he graduated from. Later he worked at W.H. Loss Funeral Home, The Brown Funeral Home and John J. Reigle Funeral Home.
Enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and released from active duty in 1946.
Then attended Worsham Mortuary School graduating in 1949.
In 1953 Ken Hamsher and George Justen & Son of McHenry decided to open the Justen-Hamsher Funeral Home in Fox Lake. In 1958 Ken bought out George and Robert Justens' interest and became the sole proprietor of what is now called the
K. K. Hamsher Funeral Home. He also operated an ambulance service in Lake & Mc Henry counties for over 25 years.
Ken served on various committees as village trustee, Mayor, and on the Grant Community High School board.
K.K. Hamsher Funeral Home has been serving the community for over 58 years with dedication and dignity.
Retiring in 2008 after 70 + years in funeral service. His daughters Debbie & Sharon are now managing the business, continuing the family committment to serve your family as ours would wish to be served.

	Michael Carroll Funeral Director/Embalmer Raised in Itasca, IL. Graduated from Lake Park High School in Roselle, IL. Attended DuPage Area Vocational Education Authority, College of DuPage, Mc Henry County College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science, graduating with an Associates Degree in Applied Science. In the early eighties volunteered for the Civil Defense,(later called Emergency Services Disaster Agency-E.S.D.A.) Came to Mc Henry in 1998 residing with his wife, Tamra, and 3 sons, Steven in the U.S. Army, Harley and Greg who serves in the United States Air Force. Mike is a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners, American Society of Embalmers,the Illinois Funeral Suppliers,owns MTC Mortuary Tranpsort Care LLC. Mike enjoys involvement with church activities, music, outdoors, cooking, traveling and spending time with family. While attending college in McHenry and working at Northern Illinois Medical Center in 2003, Mike introduced himself to Ken Hamsher and became a member of the funeral home staff. "The crux of my desire: to help in the time of need, to be of service, someone to turn to, rely on anytime, anywhere. In Today's world, sincere service is difficult to find. I hope to make an impact in this area."
	Debbie Hamsher Glen Funeral Director Debbie was raised in Fox Lake graduating from Grant Community High School in 1968. Attended Northern IL University. Graduated from Worsham Mortuary School in 1971 and worked at the funeral home since 1974 heading the pre-arrangement & trust programs. She is a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg, St. John's Endowment Society, member & director of the Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Woodland Green Garden Club. She enjoys traveling, boating, sports, reading and spending time with her family.
	Sharon Hamsher Breunig Administrative Assistant Sharon graduated from Grant High School in 1970 and attended Stratton Business College in Chicago. She serves as an office administrator and manager for the funeral home as well as a monument consultant since 1981. She is a member of St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg and resides in Spring Grove with her husband Alan. She enjoys hiking, biking, travel, gardening and reading.
	Ed Becker Funeral Assistant Raised in Chicago, Ed attended Luther High School North. In 1961 he was working at the First National Bank in Chicago when he married Karen Suckow and moved into the Fox Lake area. Hired by McHenry State Bank in 1967, he worked himself up to Senior Vice President and retired in 1997 when the bank was sold. Ed currently works part-time in the emergency room at Northern Illinois Medical Center. He has been an active member of the Fox Lake Fire Department for 47 years, serving as a paramedic for 30 of those years. Ed enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing, traveling, and spending time with his family.
	Jennifer Valentine Funeral Director Born and raised in Chicago, IL. Graduated from Lane Technical High School in Chicago. Attended Wilbur Wright College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science, graduating with an Associates Degree in Applied Science. She formerly worked at a local funeral home in Buffalo Grove and started at K.K. Hamsher in August 2010. She currently resides in Buffalo Grove and is a member of D.A.N.K. Haus- German American Cultural Center as well as an enthusiast of foreign languages, traveling, sewing, and computers.