Who We Are

Our professional staff has years of experience caring for families from all walks of life. We are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional integrity.

• When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our Valued Staff

• 
  Michele Johnson, Family Care Coordinator/ Loving Memorial Pet Care

  Michele, a 40+ year resident of Park Forest, attended Rich East High School and Prairie State College. She retired after 24 years with Dominicks Finer Foods and was looking for an opportunity to be of service to the world. She found it at Lain-Sullivan and Hirsch Funeral Home twelve years ago. Michele is a certified Crematory Operator and Founder of Loving Memorial Pet Care in conjunction with Lain-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematory where pets are provided honest, ethical and compassionate deathcare.
  
  Giving back to her community has become an important part of her life. She is a member of the South Suburban Food Co-op, she serves as a Village Hearing Officer, previously serving on the board of the Police and Fire Commission, she is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Park Forest and helps to coordinate their fabulous Panake Day fundraiser every year, she was a former Board Member of the Tall Grass Arts Association, she volunteers at P.A.D.s for the homeless, and, of course, volunteers for many pet rescue organizations.
  
  Married to Phil Knight, she loves animals, particularly her two dogs, Bowrinkle and Cinderella.

• 
  Rick Serrano, Business Office/Accounts Management

  Rick Serrano, grew up in Grant City, IL next to St. Louis , where he attended high school. Then he went to the Southern University of IL in Evanston, IL and served in the Army’s Special Forces for 27 years, where he was given the Legion of Merit Award. He serves his community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Masons, VFW, American Legion, Am Vets, DAV, and the Eagles.
  
  Married to Sharon , they share 4 daughters, 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. When he’s not running in marathons, you’ll find him scuba diving, with his stamp or coin collection, or taking a Caribean Cruise with Sharon.

• 
  James Cull, Funeral Director

  Jim Cull has been a Funeral Director for over 50 years and has been with Hirsch West End Funeral Homes since 1965. A lifelong resident of Chicago Heights until moving recently to Mokena, Jim attended St. Agnes Grade School, Bloom High School, Thornton Community College, and served in the army during the Korean War. Upon graduation from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, he became a partner with Gonder & Wilson Mortuary in Chicago for five years before joining Hirsch West End Funeral Homes.
  
  A member of St. Kierans Church for many years, he’s a new member of St. Stephen’s of Tinley Park. Formerly active in many service organizations, since retirement, he belongs to the National Funeral Directors Association, the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and the Knights of Columbus.
  
  Jim loves to travel with his wife Fran, especially to France and Italy where she can interpret for them. They have three sons, Jim, Dan, and Tony and one daughter, Rosanne. When he’s not baby sitting for his grandchildren he is passionate about listening to classical music and attending the Lyric Opera.
  
  In 2010, Jim was honored by the Illinois Funeral Directors Association for fifty years of service as a Funeral Director. Bob Moynihan, former Managing Partner of Hirsch West End refers to Jim as “the soul of Hirsch Funeral Homes.” Hirsch West End is a ten time recipient of the Pursuit of Excellence Award. This is a rare award given by the National Funeral Directors Association. Moynihan says that, “While Jim Cull was never the person accepting the award, it is clear that he was always responsible for earning it.”
  

• 
  Larry Johnston, Family Care Associate/Ambassador

  Larry, an Ambassador since Feb. 2006 with an office at Hirsch Funeral Home in Crete , graduated from Benton High School in Benton , IL , studied business at Mt. Vernon Junior College , served two years in the Army’s Military Police, worked 35 years in the Material Control Division of Ford Motor Co. and retired in 1995. He then became a sales representative for Capital Lincoln Mercury in the Auto Mall in Matteson, IL. A 45 year resident of Crete, Sundays, he serves as head usher of Crete United Methodist Church in Crete , IL and during the week he is currently serving his fourth term in political office as the Crete Commissioner of the Police and Fire Departments.
  
  Married to Sharon for 44 years, with one daughter, one son and one granddaughter in high school, he likes crafting woodworking projects at home, traveling around the U.S. or taking cruises. Although technically retired, he loves to stay involved with his community.