Staff

David Carpenter, Owner

David was born and raised in Corning, New York where he lived over Carpenter’s Funeral Home.  He graduated from the former Corning Northside High School in 1962; attended Taylor University, North Carolina State University and Simmons School of Mortuary Science.

He began his career at Carpenter’s Funeral Home in 1968 as a third generation funeral director.  After two years working at the family business, David changed his career path by joining the Marsellus Casket Company in Syracuse, NY.  He became Director of Sales for the Southeastern US.   In North Carolina he met his wife Brenda and worked in the hardwood casket industry until 1980 when they moved to Fullerton, CA where he became Vice President for Development of Church Resource Ministries.  In 1990 they returned to Corning where David and his brother, Jon, purchased Phillips Funeral Home.  David's wife Brenda managed the Endoscopy Department at Corning Hospital where she retired in 2004.

They have two daughters and four grandsons.   David is a member of the Corning Rotary Club, past President of Corning Meals on Wheels and the Salvation Army.   They are active members of Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post, NY and McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, FL where they enjoy their winters.

Funeral Service has been a lifelong passion for David.   “Watching my grandfather, my father and some wonderful funeral directors throughout the country selflessly serve bereaved families inspired me to return to Corning to develop a business built on those same foundational principles.”

Stan Swan, Operations Manager & Funeral Director

Stan Swan is a native of Jasper, New York. He graduated from Alfred State College in Alfred, New York and later from the Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York.

Stan worked as a broadcaster for Rustcraft Broadcasting and Price Communications which operated WHAM in Rochester and WKBW in Buffalo respectively. Stan and wife, Sandra owned and operated the Mulholland-Swan Funeral Home in Andover, New York for 20 years before selling the funeral home in 2003. During those years, Stan also served as a sergeant in the corrections division of the Alleghany County Sherriff's office. Stan began serving families in the Corning area at Phillips Funeral Home in 2007. Stan is also an Operations Manager for Carpenter's Funeral Home LLC.

Stan is part of the Department of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services in the Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team, Region 2. He assisted in recovery work at both the Twin Towers disaster in New York City and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Port, Mississippi.

Stan and his wife Sandra reside in Newark, New York with their beagle, Sadie.

Steve Von Volen, Funeral Home Manager

Steve Von Volen was born and raised in Jamestown, New York.  He graduated from Maple Grove Jr.-Sr. High School in 2001, Jamestown Community College in 2003, and Canton College of Technology in 2006 with honors.  During his college years Steve was a member of the Canton Mortuary Science Association and the Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society.

Steve started his career at the Addison Funeral Home in Angola, NY where he gained a true appreciation for the funeral profession, while serving his residency there.  After completing his residency he worked with Fantauzzi Funeral Homes of Fredonia and Westfield, NY.

In January of 2011, Steve began working at Phillips Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Although, he misses his family ties in Jamestown he feels welcomed by the Carpenter family and enjoys serving the Corning community.  Steve is also a Funeral Director for Carpenter's Funeral Home LLC.

Steve is married and has one daughter.  He attends Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post.  Steve is a member of the sons of the Corning American Legion Post 746.  In his spare time Steve enjoys working on and driving classic cars, being outdoors, and most importantly spending time with his family.

Steve feels that taking care of a loved one that has passed on and the family they left behind is what he was called to do.  Steve says, “Every day I try to learn something new, thank God for all I have, and be the best funeral director I can be.”  Steve always plans on working in the funeral business and carrying on the traditions and customs that he has learned, past and present.

Garrett DuVall, Funeral Director

Garrett is a native of Addison, New York.  He was introduced to the funeral profession as a teen.  Garrett’s original mentor was Leland Flint, a funeral director and funeral home owner in Addison, New York.  Leland’s empathy for the families he served and the life long bonds that he built with those families is what attracted Garrett to the funeral profession.

In 2004, Garrett graduated from Addison Central School.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Keuka College in 2008, and then attended Simmons Institute of Mortuary Science.  Graduating in the Spring of 2009, Garrett completed his residency under the professional guidance of the Carpenter family.  In November of 2010, he received his funeral director’s license.  Since receiving his license, Garrett has been a funeral director for Phillips Funeral Home, Carpenter's Funeral Home LLC as well as manager of the Carpenter-Flint Funeral Home.

Garrett and his wife April, are the proud parents of two boys. Garrett and his family reside in Corning, and maintain close ties to the Addison community where Garrett and April were born and raised.  He and his family attend the First Baptist Church in Addison.  In his leisure time, Garrett enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, and especially playing with his children.

Garrett’s satisfaction in funeral service comes from the relationships that he builds with the families he serves.  Garrett’s desire is to ensure that he fulfills the wishes of families while providing a specialized service that is a fitting tribute to the loved one.

Kelly Datoush, Funeral Director

Kelly was born and raised in Watertown, New York.  She graduated from Watertown High School in 2003. While in high school, Kelly was on the varsity swim team.  Kelly attended SUNY Brockport, graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology.  She went on to the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in 2008.

Kelly completed her residency at the Brew-Finch Funeral Homes in Auburn, New York.  She then moved to the Southern Tier area, working as a funeral director for two different firms for a period of two and half years.  Kelly joined the staff of Phillips Funeral Home & Cremation Service in March of 2012.  Kelly is also a funeral director for Carpenter's Funeral Home LLC in Corning and Carpenter-Flint Funeral Home in Addison.

Kelly has grown to love living in the Corning area and plans to make the Corning area her home.  She is engaged, soon to be married.  Kelly is a member of the Corning Rotary Club, participating on the Membership Committee and Habitat for Humanity Committee.  Kelly is also a member of the Salvation Army Board.  In her spare time, she loves going to the gym, being outside, reading, cooking and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Kelly said, “I am so proud of my profession and what I do for others.  There is no feeling more rewarding than knowing you've made a family's difficult time that much easier.  I strive every day to continue to learn and grow as a funeral director.” 

Pete Russell, Funeral Director

Pete Russell was born in New Jersey.  He was raised in Endicott, New York.  Pete attended the Seton Catholic Central High School in Binghamton graduating in 1988.  In 1990, Pete graduated from SUNY Canton with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science.  From 1990 to 1995, Pete was a funeral director for a few upstate New York funeral homes.  In 1995, Pete began working as a funeral director for Carpenter’s Funeral Home and in 2008, he became the Manager for Carpenter’s Funeral Home.  Pete is also a funeral director for Phillips Funeral Home & Cremation Service.