Our Staff

Leigh Murdoch-Poe began working at Murdoch Funeral Homes in 1986. In 1992, Leigh and her brother, John Murdoch, became the fourth generation of the Murdoch family to operate the funeral homes. She currently acts as Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer of the company.

Leigh grew up in Marion, Iowa, where she graduated from Marion High School in 1978, and went on to attended Coe College. She has two children, Megan and Kyle and an amazing grandson, Marlo. Leigh loves spending time with her family, and that was expanded when she married Stan Poe in 2020. She is proud to be part of his large family which also includes his two children, their spouses and two grandchildren. Leigh is on the Board of Directors for Discovery Living; formerly served on the Marion Library Foundation Board of Directors and Marion Chamber of Commerce; and is a member of O.O.P. Club. In her free time, Leigh likes to travel, go bike riding, and attend sporting events.

John Murdoch, a lifelong resident of Marion, began working in the family business in 1975. After receiving his A.A. Degree from Kirkwood Community College, he attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1983. He received the Albert Worsham Award for academic achievement. In 1986, he was appointed President of Murdoch Funeral Homes, which he currently serves as. John and wife, Kim, have six children, Brett Murdoch, Jaime Steward and Hailey Murdoch, and Brock, Cody and Jordan Bickford. Together they have eight granddaughters, Reagan, Makinley, Alivia, Maddyn, Campbell, Avery, Emery and Thea, and one grandson, George. John is a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association and the Indian Creek Country Club. He served as a past board member of the YMCA. John, with his sister, Leigh, are honored to continue the family heritage of serving the communities and families in their time of need.

Jaime is our Pre-Planning Coordinator and a Licensed Funeral Director who has worked at Murdoch Funeral Homes since 2007. She is part of the fifth generation of the Murdoch family. She received her B.A. in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa and received her Mortuary Science degree from Des Moines Area Community College. Jaime is a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.

Jaime lives in Marion with her husband, Dann, daughters, Maddyn & Campbell, and son, George. Jaime and her family are members of First United Methodist Church in Marion. She enjoys Iowa Hawkeye and Green Bay Packer Football, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Hailey began working at Murdoch Funeral Homes & Cremation Service in 2016. She is a graduate of Marion High School and Kirkwood Community College, where she received degrees in Business Administration and Project Management. She is part of the fifth generation of the Murdoch family. Hailey lives in Marion and loves spending time with her three daughters, Reagan, Makinley, and Alivia, family and friends. Hailey and her family are members of First United Methodist Church in Marion. She enjoys camping, kayaking, live music, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the beach.

Jeff was born and raised in Manchester, Iowa. Jeff began working at what is now the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home in 1986 while in high school. Following graduation from West Delaware High School he attended UNI in Cedar Falls and then graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Jeff returned to the Murdoch Funeral Homes in 1991. Jeff lives in Hiawatha and is a member of First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids and the National and Iowa Funeral Directors Associations. When not at the funeral home, Jeff enjoys working out at Top Shape Gym in Cedar Rapids, traveling, mowing the yard and spending time with his friends, family and slightly spoiled corgi, Maxine.

Bill currently serves as a funeral director for Murdoch Funeral Homes & Cremation Service. A native of Estherville, Bill graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in the paralegal program. He earned a management finance degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Bill worked as a bank examiner for the FDIC and State of Iowa Department of Finance before obtaining his diploma from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1993. Bill was a funeral director in Readlyn before joining the Murdoch family in August of 1999. He enjoys spending time with his sons, Blake and Bret, and volunteering in the community.

Karl, a third-generation funeral director has been licensed since 1995 and re-joined the staff at Murdoch Funeral Homes and Cremation Service in November of 2015. He was born and raised in Clinton, Iowa; a 1986 graduate of Mater Dei High School; earned an Associate of Arts in Business Management degree from Clinton Community College and in March of 1994, earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Funeral Service from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas. Karl then moved to Cedar Rapids and began his career with Murdoch Funeral Homes. He continued working as a licensed funeral director at firms in Clinton and the Des Moines area. He is thrilled to be back at Murdoch Funeral Homes to finish his career. He is a member of Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and a Fourth-Degree member of Loras Assembly. In 1995, Karl married the love of his life, Debi. They enjoy spending time with friends and family, being on the lake, country living, grilling, going for long walks, swimming, watching movies and traveling. As dedicated and loyal fans of both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers they enjoy watching football games, especially at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. "Go Hawks!” and “Go Pack Go!"

Lindsey is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and has worked at Murdoch Funeral Homes & Cremation Service since 2010. Lindsey knew from a very young age that Funeral Service was her calling. She grew up in Colesburg, Iowa and was a graduate of Edgewood-Colesburg High School. She attended Kirkwood Community College and in March of 2004, she graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois.

She and her husband, Adam, live in Winthrop. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and spoiling her nephew and nieces, Ethan, Alli, and Avery.

Lindsey loves to be outdoors. You will usually find her out boating, target shooting, enjoying bonfires, hosting friends for cookouts, and playing frisbee with her black lab, Duke.

Amy (Ziolkowski) Hart grew up in the Chicago suburbs and graduated from Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois. She graduated as a Presidential Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s University in Queens, New York, where she studied history and art history. While in college, she was very active in the performing arts, appearing on the Little Theatre stage and working behind the scenes with the Chappell Players Theatre Group.

Amy later went on to Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, graduating with the September Class of 2011, where she received the Albert E. Worsham Memorial Award. She moved to Iowa in October of 2011 to begin her career in funeral service.

Amy and her husband, Jesse, have lived in Cedar Rapids since 2014. Jesse works as an elementary school teacher in the Linn-Mar School District. Amy and Jesse welcomed their first child, Aaron, in April of 2017.

Amy joined the Murdoch Funeral Home family in September of 2017. She is passionate about all aspects of funeral service. Amy enjoys working closely with families to plan unique funeral and memorial services, and truly believes in the celebration of a life well-lived. She is a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, as well as the National Funeral Directors Association.

Outside of work, Amy and her husband are enjoying parenthood and love to take family outings with Aaron. Amy also enjoys listening to talk radio, watching documentaries, and visiting local museums.

Matt joined the staff of Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service in March of 2019 and currently resides in Center Point. He is a Vinton native and a 1997 graduate of Washington High School. He began his interest in Funeral Service while in high school completing a job shadowing program with Phillips Funeral Home of Vinton. Matt attended the University of Northern Iowa majoring in Sociology where he lived and worked at Dahl Van Hove Schoof Funeral Home. In 2002 he graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science while working at Cumberland Chapels in Norridge, Illinois. He was privileged to receive the first Joan Tomzak-Bak Award for Professionalism selected by the faculty of Worsham College. Following graduation, Matt joined Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory of Mason City to complete his internship and was licensed by the State of Iowa in 2003. In 2006 Matt joined Phillips Funeral Homes serving the communities of Benton County.

He has a passion for giving back to his community and has served on various church boards, as trustee of the Vinton Public Library, board member of Happy Time Child Development Center in Vinton, and a member, Past President, and Board Member of the Vinton Kiwanis Club. Matt also volunteers for various events and activities Families Helping Families of Iowa. He currently holds membership in the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Iowa Funeral Directors Association (IFDA), and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).

Most of all, Matt is proud of his two sons, Gavin and Reagan, and enjoys attending both their club and school sports and activities.

William E. “Bill” Judd Jr. is a native of Clinton, Iowa, and became interested in Funeral Service after touring a funeral home while in high school. He is a graduate of Kirkwood Community College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Bill has been a Funeral Director for more than 30 years and is licensed to practice in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. His career has given him invaluable experience serving people of all faith traditions. Bill is pleased to support and assist families with the myriad of decisions that must be addressed following death and to help create meaningful tributes.

Bill and his late wife Mary Ann have a son, Jonathan W. Judd who is married to Chelsea (Bearbower) and is a Funeral Director in Waterloo. He has a variety of interests including electronics and has earned an extra class amateur radio license - WØWMT. Bill enjoys photography, reading, spending time with family and friends being in the outdoors, hiking, camping, and fishing. Bill especially enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, Ian and Iyla.

Coming Soon.

Angela is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and has worked at Murdoch Funeral Homes since 2005. She is a graduate of Anamosa High School and Kirkwood Community College. She received her Bachelor of Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Angela, her boyfriend Jon, and their daughter Ellie Mae currently live in Marion. She enjoys playing golf at Fawn Creek Country Club in Anamosa, playing cards, Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball, Kansas City Chiefs football, spending time with her family, and most importantly -- being a mommy.

David has been a licensed funeral Director and Embalmer since 2004 and joined Murdoch Funeral Homes in 2015. He is a native of Estherville, Iowa, and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Upper Iowa University and later graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. David, his wife Amanda, and their two sons, Tyler and Bryant currently live in Marion, Iowa.

Tony Porter has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1995, joining Murdoch Funeral Homes in 2018. He graduated from Ottumwa High School and later went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Iowa and his Bachelor of Mortuary Science from The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

Tony, his wife Stacy, their daughter, Paige, and their two Yorkies, Paisley and Penny live in Shueyville.

Outside of work, Tony enjoys golfing, attending his daughter’s school activities, traveling, and going to concerts, and is an avid and lifelong Iowa Hawkeye and Minnesota Vikings fan.

Bio Coming Soon

Oglesby graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science in 2024 and joined Murdoch Funeral Home the same year in November. Oglesby has been living in the Corridor area since 1996, and moved to Cedar Rapids in 2020 and currently lives there with their husband, daughter, and chickens.

Outside of work, Oglesby enjoys drawing and painting, and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Art in 2016. Other passions include reading, tending to plants both indoors and outdoors, weight-lifting, video games, film, listening to music and playing the fiddle.

Stanley Lawrence is a semi-retired licensed funeral director and started his career with Murdoch Funeral Home in 1966. Stan, a lifelong resident of the Central City and Prairieburg area, is a graduate of Central City High School and the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. He is a member of St. Stephen's Catholic Church, American Legion Post #421, and Amvets Post #37, all of Central City, and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association. He has also been a member of the city council, the volunteer fire department, and his church's parish council. Stan retired in 1994 but continues to direct funeral services for families in and around his community. He and his wife, Marianne (who continues to work as a funeral hostess), reside near Central City. They have two children, Steven Lawrence and Kathy Sole, and 5 grandchildren. Stan's hobbies include traveling, working in the outdoors, and organizing the Bingo program through his local legion post.

Eric is a Pre-Planning Specialist and began working for the Murdoch Funeral Home in 1993. Eric graduated from the University of Iowa and is a long time resident of Cedar Rapids. He attends First Lutheran Church and is active in various civic groups in the community. In his free time, Eric enjoys golfing, boating and spending time with his wife Andi and four children, Grace, Graydon, Wynnston and Lilly.

Joe Eagle is a Pre-Planning Specialist for the Murdoch Funeral Homes and Cremation Center. Joe mainly serves the Marion, Central City & Manchester areas. Joe, originally from Washington, Iowa, attended Upper Iowa University and married Jeane Hutchins of Marion in 1980. They have two children: Rachel, who teaches for the Linn-Mar school district, and Travis, who is a recent Mt. Mercy College graduate. On top of spending time with his children and their spouses, Joe enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. Joe is the owner of Charity Services, Inc. of Cedar Rapids and is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Indian Creek Country Club. He enjoys family activities, golf, hunting, and cooking.

Bio Coming Soon

Lori was born in and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Regis High School in 1988. After high school, Lori continued her academic and athletic pursuit at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, where she studied Physical Education and was a three-sport athlete. She currently lives in Cedar Rapids and has been a part of the Murdoch team since 2016. In her free time, Lori loves to golf, play cards, and spend time with her dog, Luna.

Marie Miller is a part-time employee at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home. She was hired for a three-month job which has grown into 23 years. Marie was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Saint Wenceslaus High School in 1948. She worked as a secretary for the City of Cedar Rapids Public Works Department, Charipar Plumbing, and the Sargent Manufacturing Company. Marie moved to California and lived there for over 25 years. She was a secretary in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Credit Union, and C F Braun Engineering Co. Marie returned to Ely, Iowa, in 1995, and helped care for her mother until her passing in 2002. Marie still resides in Ely and assists in a variety of office tasks for both the funeral home and Linwood Cemetery. Marie is a very happy and appreciative member of the Murdoch Funeral Home family.

Morgan was born in raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. She has been with Murdoch Funeral Homes & Cremation Service since 2019. Morgan currently lives in Palo and enjoys life on the farm with her son, Dante, her boyfriend, Bob, and his daughter, Emmy. In her free time, she enjoys boating, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and spending time with her family and friends.

Robin Gudenkauf was raised on a farm near Ryan, Iowa, and graduated from West Delaware High School in 1984. She worked in various fields during her career ranging from agriculture, health care, and clerical. In November 2018, Robin joined the Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service as a Hostess and later moved into an Administrative Assistant position. Working for the Murdoch family is very rewarding. Since Robin has experienced the loss of family members and close friends, she feels that her own personal experience could help others who are going through the grieving process. The help and guidance that one receives during difficult times can make a huge impact on their life.

Robin and her husband, Jim, farm near Masonville, Iowa, where they raised their daughter, Kaitlin, and son, Nathan (DeAnna). In her spare time, you can find Robin with the family, playing games, four-wheeling, taking walks, working on the farm, or having Sunday brunch after church.

Shelby Radig grew up in Shellsburg, Iowa, and graduated from Vinton-Shellsburg High School in 2010. She has been with Murdoch Funeral Homes & Cremation Service since 2021. Shelby currently lives in Marion with her husband, Dan, and two children, Magnolia and Harrison. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, taking Jeep rides, and soaking up the cuddles from her Dachshunds, Wade and Hundley, and kittens, T’Challa and Peach.

Amanda joined the Murdoch Funeral Home family in 2023 and works as an Administrative Assistant at the Marion location. She is an Iowa native and graduated from Prairie High School. Amanda has a long-time history working for the Ahn Clinic out by the airport, and then in the UnityPoint Clinics around Cedar Rapids. Outside of work, Amanda likes to cook, play cards with family, read, and watch Discovery Plus. She is honored to be able to support the surrounding Eastern Iowa communities, as they go through the difficult process of preparing for the loss of their loved ones.

Matt Witting is a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids. He grew up on the west side of Cedar Rapids on the family farm where he has helped work his entire life. He attended St. Ludmila Grade School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1979. He went on to earn a two-year degree from Kirkwood Community College in Agribusiness and then a four-year Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Business from Mount Mercy.

Matt joined the Murdoch Funeral Homes in 1991 and has worked in many capacities for the company over the years. With his experience and education in agriculture, he became the cemetery superintendent for the overall management of Linwood Cemetery in 1998.

A lover of the outdoors, Matt also enjoys fishing, boating, and hunting with his beloved dogs. In addition to his time spent in the outdoors, he likes to volunteer at various local events such as St. Ludmila’s Kolach Festival and the St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival. He is a longtime member of St. Jude Catholic Church.

Robert has been associated with Murdoch Funeral Homes since 1980. He is a retired funeral director for the funeral home. He is a graduate of Marion High School, Kirkwood Community College, and Southern Illinois University. He served in the United States Marine Corps during Vietnam. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, American Legion Post 298, Trojan Lodge No. 548 A.F. & A.M., The Cedar Rapids Consistory, El Kahir Shrine, and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association. Robert's family includes his wife, Denise, and daughters, Tina and Stacy, and grandchildren, Aubrey, Olivia, and Max. He enjoys sailing, music, radio, and being a member of the Hawkeye Bicycle Association. Robert died on August 16, 2024.

Duane is an Iowa native, who grew up in Mason City. He received his funeral director license in 1984 and joined the Murdoch family in 1994. Duane retired in April 2020. Duane is married to Renee (Willett,) who was employed at the Marion Police Department and they have four children: Desiree, Britney, Brooklyn, and Dalton; and two grandchildren, Mya and Ava.

Amy is originally from Michigan, moving several times before settling in Marion in 1999 and joining the Murdoch Staff in 2000. She is married to Bruce Reynolds and their family includes a daughter, Sara & her husband Eric and a son, Andrew & his wife Brianna. Amy enjoys trips to Michigan, traveling anywhere with Bruce, giggling with granddaughters, Lola & Cohyn, and any time spent with family and friends. Amy retired in 2024.

Jim Clifton attended Iowa State College and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1959. He was a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer from 1961 until 2019. He owned and operated the Clifton Funeral Home from 1964 until selling it to the Murdoch family in 2004. Jim retired from the funeral home in February of 2018.

Jim and his wife, Connie, were involved in the Earlville Community where Jim had always lived. They were active members of the Earlville United Parish and served on the Board of Directors for the Maquoketa Valley Dollars for Scholars Chapter. Jim also served as the secretary of the Earlville Fairview Cemetery Association beginning in 1971. Connie passed away in 2023.

The Cliftons have two married sons and three grandchildren. Jim enjoys woodworking, traveling, and spending time with his family.