Our Adams Funeral Chapel staff is a group of caring and compassionate professionals who are dedicated and instrumental in fulfilling our goal of providing “The very best for You, Your Family and Your Loved One.”
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.
Licensed Funeral Director
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.
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.
Funeral Attendant
Suz has been a funeral attendant at Adams Funeral Chapel for twelve 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, with the last of those years working with a special student with autism. She enjoys the education environment so much that she still serves as a substitute teacher in Kansas, Illinois. She also enjoys splitting her time, when she can, between Illinois and Florida.
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.
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.
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."
Funeral Attendant
Tony Warner is a lifelong resident of Charleston. He's an active member in his local church, husband to Jana, a father of three children, and proud grandfather of six.
Anderson
Zandra Anderson served Lincolnland Hospice as Hospice Chaplain for three years, and served Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center as a volunteer chaplain for six years. Currently she leads two small, rural churches as their minister and also finds time to assist her husband, Andrew, as an entertainer of magic and illusion. Her hope here at AFC is to help bring comfort and peace while serving as a staff attendant during visitation, funeral and memorial services.
Funeral Attendant
Cindy retired from Eastern Illinois University's business office in 2016, and recently joined the Adams Funeral Chapel attendant staff team in order to serve people again. Although she grew up in Effingham, Illinois, Charleston was a big part of her early life, as she often visited her grandparents, Everett and Zelna Diehl, who lived in Charleston. And attending EIU's annual homecoming parades are among her favorite childhood memories. In Cindy's free time she enjoys reading, crafting, mowing, and collecting koala bears.