Our staff's commitment to you
Our staff is committed to providing support, compassion, information, and direction as needed to all members of our community, their families, and friends who are dealing with loss and grief.
Jeffrey C. Waddell graduated from SIU at Carbondale in 1979 with an Associate's degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service.
A licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since January 1981 Jeff has Forty-Two years experience in funeral service. His career began in 1978 at Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton. In 1984, he became associated with Johnson Hughes Funeral Home, Herrin. In May 1997 his work focused more on serving other funeral directors when he became a regional salesman with Batesville Casket Company in Southern Illinois.
In 1999, Jeff and Greg Meredith formed Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home, Ltd., Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home opened on September 1, 2000.
In Loving Memory (2008-2018)
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness, that we are letting you know that Bella, passed away at 8:24 p.m. Saturday, October 27, 2018 in the loving arms of her father with her mother holding her paws.
We have had Bella in our lives for 10 wonderful years. She will be missed by our family, work family and most of all her parents.
Bella was born August 30, 2008 at Kirkpatrick’s Rock Creek Kennel in Pittsburg, IL to sire: Master Bogey Russell AKC no: RM35107701 and Dam: Rock Creek’s Anna Grace AKC no: RN03251401.
She chose Jan and Jeff Waddell as her adoptive parents on October 31, 2008. When Jan went to choose a pet for Jeff, Bella went right to her. And it was love at first sight for Jeff. For the first days that she was with her new family, Jeff carried her everywhere. For he thought she didn’t know how to walk. That first day was hectic for Bella as she rode on the console in the truck on her new pad to run errands from Murphysboro, IL to Harrisburg, IL. The pad is still in the truck to this day.
Bella became a big part of the funeral home, she started coming in to work with her father when she was 8 weeks old and many families asked for her when they came in to make arrangements, visitation and services.
She has traveled across the country with her parents from Virginia this last July to Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains on vacation and Texas to visit extended family and many states in between.
Leaving behind to cherish her memory, are her parents, Jeffrey and Janice Waddell; adopted siblings, Precious and Baby.
J.C. Waddell graduated Magna Cum Laude from SIU at Carbondale in 2014 with an Bacholers of Science in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. He became licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in August of 2015.
J.C. graduated from Herrin High School in 1997. He joined the Illinois National Guard and then the U.S. Army serving at Fort Campbell, Ky and Fort Richardson, AK. While stationed at Fort Richardson, he was deployed to FOB Salerno, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.
J.C. returned to Southern Illinois in 2006 and started working part-time for his father at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home. He started working full-time at the funeral home after his graduation from SIU.
Anna Schlomas graduated Cum laude from SIU at Carbondale in 2017 with a Bachelors of Science in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. She became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in May 2019.
Anna graduated from Mother McAuley High School in Chicago in 2013. She moved to Southern Illinois to attend SIU at Carbondale in the fall of 2013. Anna joined the Meredith-Waddell family in 2016 while attending SIU.
Carole Martinez was commissioned a Chaplain in 2011 through N.A.M.B.S.B.C. She was a Stephen Minister since 1992.
Carole was a volunteer facilitator for "Tu Nidito" in Tucson, AZ, an organization that works with grieving children, teens, and adults. She received Death Notification Training in 2015.
Carole has also done volunteer work for Hospice of Peace in Denver, CO and Hospice of Southern Illinois. She started helping Jeff at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in November of 2011.
Bill Hatley started his career in the funeral home industry in 1967 working for his step-father, Junior Thornton at Thornton Funeral Home in Stonefort.
Bill worked for Paul Johnson at Johnson Funeral Home from 1967 to 1984. He continued to work for regional funeral homes until he moved to Florida in 2000 and worked for Dennis Johnson at Bauldolf Funeral Home in Orange City, FL. He bought and operated a removal service for funeral homes in the Deltona, FL region.
Bill moved back to Herrin and joined the Meredith-Waddell family in May of 2013.
Marvin was a former automobile dealer and car salesman. He formerly served as the Civil Defense Director for White County for eight years, was an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff for Williamson County for four years and was named ‘Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff Of The Year’ in 1985. Later in life, he enjoyed working at the Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home for ten years.
Marvin was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Herrin; past Worshipful Master of the following Masonic Lodges: Herrin’s Prairie Lodge #693, Enfield Masonic Lodge, Carmi Masonic Lodge, Williamson County Masonic Lodge #802 in Carterville. He also served as Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge #499 in Herrin, was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #233 in Mt. Vernon, Lodge Council Chapter Consistory Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Southern Illinois in Belleville, Ainad Temple in East St. Louis, Supreme Council Order of the Amaranth Court #29, White Shrine of Jerusalem #94 in McLeansboro and the Herrin Elks Lodge # 1146.
