Lasting Impact Awards

Price, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations at Park Lawn Corporation, has dedicated himself to advancing the deathcare profession’s future. As President and Chairman of the ICCFA Educational Foundation from 2015 to 2023, he led significant growth in donations, scholarships, and initiatives. Now a Trustee, Price also serves on the Government & Legal Affairs and Veterans Committees and was inducted into the ICCFA Hall of Fame in 2022.

Doug is receiving this award in recognition of his commitment and contributions to the deathcare profession over his 44-year career. During this time, he has logged hundreds of hours as a speaker and educator at deathcare events across the globe and has presented at many ICCFA events. Doug has earned numerous national awards and has served as a consultant for marketing and merchandising projects on an international scale.

Stansbury’s legacy is notable for her training and development of celebrants, who offer an alternative to services provided by clergypersons for families who are not affiliated with a church or who do not wish to have a traditional religious funeral service. They are trained to design services that are completely personal, incorporating those unique stories, songs and experiences that defined the deceased. Under her guidance, she has trained over 4,665 celebrants with an estimated 7.5 million individuals who have witnessed the impact of a ceremony performed by one of her trainees.

Robert Boetticher Sr. began his career as a supply sergeant and embalmer at the Army mortuary in Frankfurt, Germany. After graduating mortuary school and owning four funeral homes, Robert eventually joined Service Corporation International. Throughout his career, he has had the honor to serve in the ceremonial teams involved in many Presidential and high profile funerals. He took the experiences he gained and created LHT Consulting Group, LLC. In addition, Robert has been an industry consultant on numerous films and tv shows. He serves as CEO of the National Museum of Funeral History located in Houston, Texas. Robert’s passion for the industry and continuing education makes him an exemplary candidate for the Educational Foundation’s 2020 Lasting Impact Award.

Ernie Heffner is a second-generation funeral director who began his career after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. For over 30 years he has operated funeral home facilities throughout Pennsylvania and New York.

He has served on the boards of the Pennsylvania Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral association (PCCFA) and the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). Heffner volunteered his time and efforts to the ICCFA for many years, where he chaired both the Hospice and Annual Convention committees. In 2000, Heffner was appointed a Vice President on the ICCFA Board of Directors. He went on to become the founding dean of the College of Cremation Services at the ICCFA University (ICCFAU) from 2005 to 2012. In 2012, Heffner was appointed as the Chancellor of the ICCFAU, which he oversaw for over two years.

Creator of the famous Avenue of 444 Flags, and the War on Terror Memorial, as well as placing the first Canine Companions for Independence grief dog into a funeral home, Tom’s dedication to honor those who have died in the name of freedom and teach future generations of the high price of that freedom, is a testament to his vision, morale code and character. Tom will proudly share this honor with his beautiful dog, Soloman!

Jan Scruggs, recipient of the 2017 Lasting Impact Award from the ICCFA Educational Foundation, envisioned a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., that would include the names of all who died in the war, and spearheaded the effort to get it built. He served as president and director of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund until retiring in 2015.

Jan now serves on the advisory board for the Global War on Terror Foundation, which is working to build a monument in Washington. He was appointed to chair the Selective Service Appeals Board by President Obama and still serves on the board.

Big Jim is the “Walt Disney” of Trigard and stays involved with every aspect of his family’s business. When he is in the building, the news spreads like wildfire. Employees seek him out and look forward to spending a few moments with him. He is quick to give a pat on the back and encourage them with his trademark phrase, “That’s good stuff!” What began as a small family business has grown to provide jobs for more than 100 employees working in funeral service, manufacturing, customer service, grounds maintenance and horticulture.

Current owners Donna Darby-Walthall, Linda Darby and Rich Darby continue Big Jim’s vision. His other two children, Karen Darby-Ritz and Scott Darby, have also joined the business along with several grandchildren, furthering his dream of a lasting legacy.

Wharmby began his cemetery career over 42 years ago with Gibraltar Mausoleum Corporation in Indianapolis. For 33 years, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Inglewood Park Cemetery and Parklawn Cemetery in California, and is now Director of Sales and Marketing for Western Memorial Corporation and Western Sequoia Corporation.

He has spoken for the ICCFA, the National Catholic Cemetery Conference, the Latin American Cemetery Association, and numerous other industry groups. Active in community service, he has been recognized by organizations including the National Council of Negro Women, American Red Cross, Congress of Racial Equality, and Habitat for Humanity.

“Having recruited and trained hundreds of people across the country and cultures over the past 42 years makes this recognition by my peers all the more meaningful,” Wharmby said.

Todd W. Van Beck, CFuE, (d. May 2023) was a manager of Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Memphis, Tennessee, and a past president of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas. He was a consultant in the funeral service industry and a highly sought-after speaker who presented in Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the United States. He was an author known for his series Funerals of the Future and published four books and 50 training manuals.

Van Beck was a past director of the New England Institute of Mount Ida College. Prior to this, he served as the director of education for the Loewen Group (now Alderwoods) and was responsible for implementing programs of professional and managerial training for funeral homes, cemeteries, preneed programs, and aftercare programs.

He earned his undergraduate degree at Mt. Mercy College and his Master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer and served as the dean of the Funeral Home Management College and the Embalming and Restorative Arts College for ICCFA University for 17 years.

He is remembered for his lifelong dedication to funeral service education and his lasting impact on the profession.