04/16/2026
We are so porud to be a part of the Herrin Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for the business spotlight!
āļøBusiness Spotlight: Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home
(submitted by owner: Vonda Rosado)
How long have you been a funeral director? How did you first get into the profession?
Iāve been working in the funeral industry for 32 years. I have always been very passionate about the families we serve and the loved ones we have the honor to care for.
My experience in funeral service officially began in 1986, when I was 13 years old. My first death and funeral experience was that of my beloved grandfather. I was enamored with everything from the funeral home aura to the services and professional compassion witnessed.
In Junior High, my science project was on the art of embalming. My journey in the funeral industry had begun. In all my life, I have never contemplated any other career option.
After graduation from Herrin High School in 1991, I attended John A. Logan College in Carterville and transferred to the Mortuary Science Program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. I served my summer internship at McClure Funeral Homes in Chester and Du Quoin.
After graduation from SIU in 1994, I served my apprenticeship at Lamb-Young Funeral Home in Gibson City, where I continued to work for five years. My love of home, my parents, and my family brought me back to Southern Illinois.
I began working at Hughes Funeral Homes in Herrin and Marion, where I have had the privilege to work for more than eighteen years.
My husband, William, and I purchased the āretiredā Maxton Funeral Home in Du Quoin, the Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, and most recently Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin, where I had the privilege to work for more than 20 years.
What is the job of a funeral director like? What are you responsible for in a typical week?
The job of a funeral director is not a job. It is a lifestyle.
When I was in school and job shadowing at a small funeral home, I will never forget what was told to me by the female ownerā¦ You have to appear as a duck in the waterāgraceful and calm on the surface, but under the water, what we donāt see is the duck paddling its feet like crazy under the mucky water.
The responsibilities of a funeral director are quite high. There are no mistakes. There are no do-overs. We realize we have only one chance to give the family the honor their loved one deserves.
We do strive for perfection in every aspectāfrom the original meeting with the family, the preparation and care of their loved one, to the celebration service of their life. There is no typical week in funeral service.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is getting to know people, hear their stories, and share in their memories, joys, and sometimes even the heartaches.
Seeing the love firsthand that a husband had for his wife of seventy yearsāsharing in the tears but also hearing his wonderful memories and seeing the love in his eyes while he is reminiscingāthis is my privilege and honor.
The raw emotions we encounter on a daily basis truly put life in perspective.
Being able to help guide families in a time where fear and emotions are at their highest is the most rewarding part. Whether it is helping them by preparing their loved one beautifully so they have a better final mental image to cling to, or helping them uncover financial options when they had no means and had worried themselves sickāwe are here to educate and support.
Every family is unique. Every situation is unique. We are in the funeral profession to serve our families and help them in the most needed time of their lives. We will not turn a family away.
What do you wish more people knew about funerals?
Funeral homes are here to help guide you on a journey you probably have never experienced before.
Everyone grieves differently. Everyone wants to honor their loved ones differently. You have choicesāfrom the funeral home you choose to the type of service you request.
Not all funeral homes are the same, and not all offer the same personalized services. Do your research, visit the homes, ask questions, and go with your instinct.
Your loved oneās services can be as unique and personalized as you allow. You are not alone in this process. We are here to help.
What was the most memorable funeral that youāve helped with?
I do have a memorable experience that came at the very beginning of my journey.
While in mortuary school, another student and myself were able to assist in the Hardin, Missouri Cemetery Flood Disaster of 1993. On July 12, 1993, the Missouri River flooded and gained entrance to the cemetery.
Flood waters cut a channel through the center and dislodged caskets and vaults, depositing them downstream. Two-thirds of the cemetery was destroyed. 793 of the 1,576 burials were displaced.
We helped to recover and rebury 645 remains. It was classified as the worst cemetery disaster in the history of the United States.
As far as most memorable funerals, I have directed many services that will forever stick with me for various reasonsāsome tragically heart-wrenching, some because of the bond created with families, and some because of the inspiration of a life well lived.
There is such uniqueness to all the individuals and families we serve that I cannot narrow it down to just one.
Do you have any thoughts or recommendations for people who are grieving?
Take time for yourself. Cherish the memoriesāgood and badāthose are what made the person and the relationship.
Embrace all memories. Keep a journal. If memories start to fade and you donāt want them erased, refer back to your journal.
It is okay to cry. Keep sharing memories. Pass on stories and traditions. Love continues through those traditions and keeps memories alive.
Going from employee to funeral home owner, we quickly learned that our staff is our most valuable asset. The emotional toll of this work is high. Creating a culture where staff feels supportedāand where we lead effectivelyāis essential for long-term sustainability.
The Chamber has been vital in our growth because it gave us a chance to show the community who we are before they need us. It helped us build a foundation of friendship and trust that makes our business part of the townās fabric.
Networking with other chamber members has shifted the business from an isolated service provider to a collaborative community partner. It has opened doors and created a referral ecosystem that benefits both the funeral home and the families we serve.
The best advice we can give a new business is: treat the chamber like a neighbor, not a directory. Joining is the first stepāthe real value comes from showing up as a person, not just a brand. Donāt just joināparticipate!
