The Irwin Chapel Staff
Once you request the services of Irwin Chapel, we will immediately put our experienced funeral professionals to work for you. A single, dedicated individual will stay in contact with you every step of the way and guide you through the decision-making process. He or she will carefully explain your options, make recommendations at your request, take care of all the small details, and ensure that you and your family’s personal touch is always present.
Our Staff:
Back Row Left to Right:
Rev. Clint Wisdom, Larry Cooper, Tony Wallis, Bob Stanton, Greg Modrusic, Robert Jones, Jason Denton,
John Irwin, John Wallace, Don Bohley, Fred Epperson, Ken Halbe, Norm Hessler, Kenneth Bone
Front Row Left to Right:
Liz Geisler, Merna Davis, Maggi Vaught, Mary Collett, Randall Irwin, Linda Irwin, Mindy Morgan,
Jackie Logan, Michelle Strack, Barb Mersinger, Judy Propes
A life-long resident of Granite City, Illinois, Randall was born on October 26, 1946. He graduated from Community High School in 1964, attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and Carbondale, and graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1966. Randall married the former Linda Gilbert in 1970.
Mr. Irwin is a licensed funeral director and Madison County deputy coroner. He opened his first funeral home, Irwin Chapel for Funerals, in Granite City in 1978, and a branch location in 1989. In 1997, he opened a third funeral home, Irwin Chapel of Glen Carbon, in Glen Carbon, Illinois. Randall is a member of the National and Illinois Funeral Directors’ Association. He received IFDA’s Professional Certification Award four consecutive years. He has served on the State Association’s Community Education Committee and the Speakers’ Bureau Committee. Mr. Irwin was a member-by-invitation of National Selected Morticians. Randall has served as secretary, vice president, and president of the Madison County Funeral Directors’ Association.
Randall has formerly served as vice president of the Granite City Optimist Club, treasurer of the Granite City Lions’ Club, and Chairman of the Board of Hospice of Madison County. He has served on the board of the American Cancer Society, Lewis and Clark Lung Association, Tri-Cities Area United Way, Association for the Protection of Animals, and the Boy Scouts’ Executive Council. Randall was a member of the board of directors of First Granite City Savings and Loan. He was also a member of the Granite City Jaycees, Granite City Ambassadors’ Club, Breakfast Kiwanis, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Mr. Irwin is a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Ainad Temple, and the Scottish Rite Bodies. He is the recipient of the DeMolay Active Legion of Honor Award and a member of the Court of Chevalier. He holds memberships with the New Hope Chapter #432 Order of the Eastern Star, Triple Lodge #835 A.F.&A.M., Granite City Low Twelve Club, Loyal Order of the Moose, BPOE Elks, Granite City Optimist Club, and International Order of Odd Fellows, Mr. Irwin is a charter member of the Old Six Mile Historical Society.
Randall is a trustee and deacon of Central Christian Church. He is a member of Solid Granite, Faith in Action, Granite City Scholarship Foundation, Southwestern Illinois Chamber of Commerce (since 1989), and the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce (since 1997).
In June of 2009, the Illinois Funeral Directors Association honored Randall for over forty years of “licensed" service to the funeral profession. Randy and his wife Linda have been married for over 50 years and reside in Granite City with their pets.
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1949, Linda Gilbert moved to Granite City, Illinois, in 1962. She graduated from Community High School in 1967, and from Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) in January of 1971 with a degree in elementary education. In 1970, she married Randall A. Irwin.
Mrs. Irwin was employed by Granite City School District #9, immediately after graduating from college. She taught middle primary, gifted education, and Learning Center during her twelve-year assignment at Lake Elementary School. From 1987-1991, Linda served as a member of the Granite City Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
Linda helped organize the Quad-City Unit of the American Cancer Society serving as vice chairman, secretary, and Service and Rehabilitation Chairman for a decade. She was also a member of the Association for the Protection of Animals for ten years, publishing their annual newsletter (Linda was named by Mayor Von Dee Cruse as “Honorary Humane Officer" in 1988). Mrs. Irwin previously served on the board of directors of the Tri-City Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was formerly a member the Cloverview Garden Club, Women of the Moose, Granite City Ambassador’s Club, Golden Agers Club (ancillary member), Granite City Opti-Mrs. Club, and the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce.
Linda currently serves as Deacon Chairman, choir member and Council Secretary of Central Christian Church. She is a member of PEO, Chapter HT, Granite City Elkettes, New Hope Chapter #432, Order of the Eastern Star, the Chamber of Commerce’s “What’s Right, Right Here in Granite City" committee, the Granite City (formerly) and (currently) a member of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Business & Professional Women’s organization, Ed/Glen Chamber of Commerce, and a charter member of the Old Six Mile Historical Society. Linda has served for over ten years on the “Patriots in the Park" committee, which organizes the July 4th celebration at Wilson Park.
Mrs. Irwin has assisted her husband in his funeral business since it opened in 1978. It was her privilege to organize the annual Irwin Chapel “Service of Remembrance" every December for ten years. Linda and her husband Randy have been married for over fifty years and reside in Granite City with their pets.
Mary Jean (Zotti) Collett was born and raised in Granite City. She attended St. Margaret Mary Catholic Grade School and graduated in 1977 from Granite City High School. She resides in Collinsville with her daughter Lauren, who recently graduated from SIUE with a degree in Marketing. Her other daughter Josie, is a NICU nurse in St. Louis. Mary enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Previous to her dedication with Irwin Chapel, she had been employed at GCS Federal Credit Union for 16 years. She began employment at Irwin Chapel in 1997 as an administrative assistant until 2002 when she accepted the position of General Manager. She takes pride in overseeing the daily operations of the funeral homes and being the liaison between the funeral home staff and Mr. and Mrs. Irwin. Mary's goal is for the families we assist to be taken care of as if they are her own family.
Jason has dedicated his life to caring for families throughout the Riverbend communities. Born March 13, 1974 in Alton, raised in South Roxana and resides in Hartford. He graduated in 1992 from Roxana High School and in 1994 graduated from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park with an Associate Degree in Funeral Service. With nearly thirty years of care and compassion to families, he has worked with Irwin Chapel since 2005. He serves as a reserve Deputy Coroner with the Madison County Coroner’s Office. He enjoys helping the community with several organizations throughout the year. He helped to initiate Irwin Chapel’s H.O.P.E. support group. He truly feels fortunate to help celebrate one’s life and being able to help those going through one of the most trying times in one’s lifetime.
Jason and his husband, Ken Corbin enjoy spending time with family and friends and working around their home. They love spoiling their little Yorkie Poo, Corby and love making many memories on their travels to The Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. Jason is an extreme fan of Dolly Parton and attends as many events with her and her team throughout the year.
Robert has been a part of the Irwin Chapel family for over 25 years and has been blessed to meet and serve families of the Granite City and Glen Carbon communities. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a 1991 graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. During his free time Bob enjoys anything outside, especially fishing and riding his bicycle, or just spending time with his family. He takes great pride in being a part of the Irwin "family" and looks forward to serving many more families in the metro area.
Gregory A. Modrusic was born and raised in Granite City, Illinois, and is a 1989 graduate of Granite City Senior High School. He still resides in Granite City with his wife Christine. He served his country in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. Greg studied mortuary science at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park and graduated with an associate degree.
Greg has been at Irwin Chapel his entire career, lasting a span of more than 30 years, and is firefighter II certified. Greg is an avid fan of the St. Louis Blues and enjoys attending both Blues and Cardinal games.
John P. Irwin is a lifelong resident of Granite City. John came to work with his brother Randall in August of 1984. He contributes his knowledge of all aspects of paperwork and forms to assist the funeral directors and other staff members to assure families are thoroughly cared for during this trying time in their lives.
Lynda Deshon is happily married to Wallace J. DeShon, Jr. since May 21, 1982. She has two wonderful sons, Benjamin Tyler DeShon and Christopher Ryan DeShon. In her spare time she likes spending quality time with her family and enjoys daily walks with her dogs.
Lynda joined the Irwin Chapel family in June, 2022 helping to take care of the families that we provide services for at our Glen Carbon Chapel.