Our Staff
Dirk DeJong
Owner, Funeral Director, Funeral Celebrant
Dirk is the son of G. William and Dorothy DeJong, who bought the Pearson Funeral Home in 1944 and established DeJong’s Funeral Home. From the time of his birth, he lived in the funeral home building with his family. He helped with the work at the funeral home in many ways. He helped set up tents, carry and drive flowers, answer telephone calls, and whatever else he was asked to do. He graduated from Keokuk High School in 1967 and from SCC. Following his marriage to Theresa Neff in 1972, he attended Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Following his graduation, he served an internship at Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1975, he and Theresa returned to Keokuk to join the family firm. He again worked along-side his father and learned to appreciate “Bill’s” knowledge and experience. Following Bill’s death in 1993, Dirk assumed the leadership roll and purchased the business from his mother and sisters.
He has been active in the community. He has served in leadership positions and on the boards of several organizations. He is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge and Shrine, Order of the Eastern Star, Sons of the American Legion, Keokuk Lions Club, Elks Lodge, and National, Iowa and Tri-State Funeral Directors Associations.
Dirk is licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri and attends annual continuing education classes to stay current in his knowledge and skills. Family has influenced him deeply and his four daughters and their families are extremely important to him.
His interests include bicycling, golf, gardening, stained glass, and woodworking.
Theresa “Terry” DeJong
Owner, Funeral Director, Certified Funeral Celebrant
Born in Hancock County, Illinois, Terry moved with her parents, Estel and Cecel Neff, to Keokuk in 1958. She attended Keokuk Public Schools, graduating in 1969. She attended SCC and University of Iowa. Terry married Dirk DeJong in 1972 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk. She moved with him to Dallas, Texas, then Des Moines, and back to Keokuk. Terry was as a stay-at-home mother with their four daughters until 1983. She then began helping and doing part-time work at the funeral home. Becoming more and more active and interested in the work, she attended Carl Sandberg College and received her degree in Mortuary Science in 1997. She became licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in Iowa and Illinois in 1998. She attended training and became a Certified Funeral Celebrant in 2009. She enjoys helping plan and lead the celebrations of life and remembrance services held at either of their Celebration of Life Centers or at other places selected by families. She is interested in the varied music selected and used in religious and secular services to express the personality of each person remembered and their families.
She is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, P.E.O. International Sisterhood, Order of Eastern Star, Keokuk Area Hospital Auxiliary, Nation and Iowa Funeral Directors Associations, and Tri-State Funeral Directors. Family is the center of her life, working side-by-side with Dirk, keeping track of four daughters and sons-in-law, two young grandchildren, and adopted shelter dog, Paloma. Her interests include gardening, sewing, and stained glass.
Trent Kimberley
Funeral Director, Licensed Insurance Agent, Preneed Specialist
Trent was born, raised, and still lives in Warsaw, IL. He served 4 years in the Marine Corps.
Trent graduated from the Mortuary Science Program at Carl Sandburg College in 2002. He worked for Greaves Mortuary from June of 2002 until the business sold to DeJong’s and became DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers. Trent is a licensed funeral director / embalmer in both Iowa and Illinois and is also licensed to sell life insurance as a pre-need specialist.
He is a member of the Warsaw Fire Department and Warsaw Ambulance Service.
Sonia Richardson
Office Manager
Sonia grew up in the Basco and Carthage area. She graduated from Warsaw High School and received a Certificate in Computer Applications from Mid States College.
Sonia manages the ofiice, answers the phone, does much of the computer work, and produces the Video Tributes, as well as many other tasks. She enjoys working with families to help them in a difficult time. She is always ready to assist and helps file for Veterans’ benefits, make notifications to the Social Security Administration, and file life insurance claims.
Sonia and her three year old son Jordan live in Carthage. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.
