Our Team

Shelly Ruholl

Office Manager and Licensed Funeral Director

Shelly L. Ruholl was born and raised in Teutopolis, Illinois. She graduated from Teutopolis High School and furthered her education at Worsham College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 2016.  Since October of 2021 she assumed the role of Office Manager/ Funeral Director here at Adams Funeral Chapel, as part of the Remembrance Funeral Group family.  Shelly and her fiancé, Andrew Hall, reside in Toledo, Illinois and plan to marry in May 2023.  She looks forward to serving the families of Charleston for many years to come. 

Micah Fryman

Licensed Funeral Director

Matthew McGowan

Licensed Funeral Director

Matthew D. McGowan was born and raised in the small Southeastern Illinois town of Eldorado, IL.  Matt graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1995 where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service.  After graduating from SIU, Matt moved to Champaign, Illinois where he began his funeral directing career.  He has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Illinois since October of 1996.  Matt joined  Markwell Funeral Home in Casey and Greenwell Funeral Home in Martinsville in 2020.  As part of the Remembrance Funeral Group family, Matt is also on staff at Adams Funeral Chapel.  In his free time Matt enjoys archery and deer hunting. In addition, Matt has been a stamp collector since he was six years old.  Matt also enjoys Jeep rides with his dog, Cobie.

Elisa Roberts

Office Assistant

Elisa started at Adams Funeral Chapel as an attendant in 2019, but moved into the role of office assistant in 2020.  Elisa says there are two big reasons she enjoys working at Adams Funeral Chapel.  The first is that she gets to apply her background in art and design to tasks such as creating memorial folders and family tribute videos.  The second reason is working with and helping people at such an important time as the loss of a loved one.

Terry Hartley

Funeral Attendant

Terry, a retired Charleston Fire Department battalion chief, has been with Adams Funeral Chapel since 2004. Whether he is assisting with service preparation or greeting visitors, he is pleased to have the opportunity to help others through the difficult times that accompany loss. When Terry is not working with the funeral home, he enjoys photography projects such as participation in Find A Grave.

Suz Tomshack

Funeral Attendant

Suz has been a funeral attendant at Adams Funeral Chapel for eleven years. Her outgoing and caring nature complement her commitment to housekeeping and making all visitors feel welcome. Suz  retired from the Special Education field, having spent many years working with preschoolers and the last of those years working with a student with Autism. She enjoys the education environment so much that she still serves as a substitute teacher in Kansas, Illinois.  She and her husband, Bob, prefer splitting their time between Illinois and Florida, and she still finds time for volunteering with the local Cub Scout pack.

Jo Ellen Hickenbottom

Funeral Attendant

Having retired from 25 years of program coordination at Eastern Illinois University and joining the Adams Funeral Chapel team, Jo Ellen Hickenbottom has always been in the business of assisting the public. Some of her daily responsibilities as a funeral attendant include preparing the chapel for visitor arrival, greeting friends and family of the deceased, helping with the guest book, and participation in post-service housekeeping. Jo Ellen feels that her greatest strength as an Adams staff member is her natural ability to communicate with others, especially during times of need. When she is not busy with the funeral home, Jo Ellen enjoys fulfilling items on her bucket list – her most recent adventure being zip lining in the Smokey Mountains.

Pastor Matt Philbrick

Funeral Attendant

Matt has been a funeral attendant at Adams Funeral Chapel since the Fall of 2020.  He is a local pastor at University Baptist Church in Charleston, having served there since January 2019.  He is honored to serve families in their time of loss and enjoys being a part of a team that is committed to serving people.  When Matt is not working, he enjoys time with his wife Jenn and their three children.

Amy Jones

Funeral Attendant

Amy Jones came to Adams Funeral Chapel after retiring from Eastern Illinois University.  She worked 20 years in Text Book Rental and the University Union Book Store.  When she's not working at Adams she and her husband, Jeff, farm several acres north of Charleston and spend time with an adorable grandson.  Adams Funeral Chapel trivia:  Amy is the daughter of longtime (now retired), much-loved, Adams funeral attendant Darrell Rienbolt.

Michele Hoover

Funeral Attendant

Working as a funeral attendant at Adams Funeral Chapel is a natural extension of Michele's care and compassion for others.  She considers it an honor to be able to support families in this way during a difficult time.   Michele retired from the childcare field  and says, "I have the privilege of working with an awesome group of hard working, caring and compassionate individuals.  Each one has a heart for people."

Tony Warner

Funeral Attendant

Adams Funeral Chapel is glad to welcome their newest hire, Tony Warner, who is a lifelong resident of Charleston.  He's an active member in his local church and a father of three and proud grandfather of six.

Ed Schniers

Funeral Attendant

Ed Schniers serves our community as the Coles County Coroner but occasionally assists Adams Funeral Chapel.  Ed is a busy man, so the staff at Adams is grateful anytime he lends a hand.