Doug Hutter grew up in Everett, Washington, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Washington State University. Doug and his wife of over 25 years, Eileen Derry have two grown children, Rose and Matthew. Doug worked his way up to management in the restaurant business but always felt he could do more to serve people. He began working part time at Solie Funeral Home in Everett and soon he realized how he could be of ultimate service to others. So, while continuing to work in Everett he began the process of fulfilling his passion by becoming a licensed Funeral Director. He was licensed 1996. He later followed that by attending Mt. Hood Community College where he received his degree in Funeral Science which qualified him for his Embalming License in 2009. Doug and his wife moved to Sedro-Woolley and joined the Lemley team in 2009. He became a partner in 2012 and has owned the funeral home since Rick Lemley’s retirement in 2020.
He has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America and the Knights of Columbus, which accentuates his love for community service. He is also on the Advisory Board of PIMA Funeral Service Program.
Working in funeral service has brought Doug “closer to his Christian faith and has found that working in the funeral business has become a ministry” for him.
Tobi Stidman (Funeral Director) a seasoned Funeral Director with an impressive 17 years of experience, originates from Mt. Vernon. Graduating from High School there, she embarked on her journey in the family restaurant business. In 1994, she married Temothy Stidman, and together, they moved to Concrete, where they raised their four children, two handsome boys and two wonderful girls.
Tobi’s compassionate and respectful nature shone through as she worked as a caregiver for numerous families in the area, offering solace and understanding during their difficult moments. She extended this care to working with mentally challenged individuals, providing them with the same love, support, and understanding.
Her calling became clear as she transitioned from preparing the living for the inevitable to the task of single-handedly raising four children while simultaneously working and pursuing her education to become a Funeral Director. She completed her internship at Kern Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon before relocating to Lemley Chapel, where she could be closer to her family and more readily available to her community in times of need. In 2012, she earned her Funeral Director’s license, becoming the sole female licensed Funeral Director in the county.
In Tobi’s own words, “I find fulfillment in being a pillar of support for families during their darkest hours. While I cannot erase their pain, I can make their journey a little smoother. I’ve sat in their chair, and I understand.”
John Hetherington (Embalmer) grew up in the Yakima County area of Washington State. In 2008 he moved to the Skagit Valley area where he planned to make his home. John has worked in the service industry since arriving in the Skagit Valley making superior customer service his main goal. Well before John’s move, he had a longing desire to work with families in some way.
In 2012 John’s grandmother died, an event which was life changing for John. His grandmother’s death allowed John to know for certain that the funeral profession was his calling. John attended the Mortuary Science Program at PIMA Medical Institute in Seattle. Several times each week John would get up extra early, after working the night before, to drive the one-and-a-half hours to school, only to return that evening to attend to work or study. John successfully completed the program being graduated with the ASS degree in Mortuary Science. In his spare time, John enjoys relaxing, exploring, and playing with his young son.
Jim Cannon (Funeral Assistant, Pastor)
Laurie Gilbert (Office Administrator)
Rick Lemley (Retired Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer), a lifelong Sedro-Woolley resident, began working with his grandfather, father and uncle in 1975. He has been a licensed Funeral Director-Embalmer since 1981. He became a partner with his father in 1995 until his father’s retirement. Rick recently retired in 2020.
Rick is a councilman on the Sedro-Woolley City Council and an active member of Sedro-Woolley Rotary, Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce, and JJ’s Cruisers Car Club. He is also an active participant in a variety other civic and community projects.
