Our History
Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home began in 1923 when DeWitt C. Jones founded Jones Funeral Home. We have honored DeWitt’s commitment to serving the community by naming a chapel in our Starke location in his honor.
Our Starke location was rebuilt in 2009 to allow families more convenience to our chapel, by providing ample parking as well as a reception space with a kitchen.
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Joe Gallagher, Owner/Funeral Director
Joe was a former partner of Blake Funeral Home in Chelmsford, MA for 21 years, before relocating to Florida. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Florida, Massachusetts as well as Pennsylvania. Active in the community, Joe’s civic involvement includes membership of the Starke Rotary Club, North Central Florida Chamber of Commerce, Clay County Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Fleming Island. Joe is also a former board member of the Bradford Education Foundation. Joe has three children, Kaitlin, Lindsay, Ryan and a grandson Rory.
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Kelli Parks Moreland, Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Monument Sales
Kelli joined the Jones-Gallagher family in 1995 after receiving her Associates Degree in Funeral Service from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, Georgia. She is a member of the Independent Funeral Directors Association as well as Trinity Baptist Church of Keystone Heights and the Amerian Legion Auxillary Post #202. Kelli has one son, Austin.
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Laura Crews, Office Manager
Laura is a native of Clearwater and has been with Jones-Gallagher since 1999. She is an active member of First United Methodist Church of Starke, where she previously served on board of trustee’s and as trustee chairperson. Laura and her husband, James, have resided in Starke for over 37 years. The couple has one son, Matthew. In her spare time, Laura enjoys vegetable gardening, home canning, sewing and going to church.
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Austin Gaver, Funeral Director and Embalmer
Austin is a Licensed Funeral Director and the newest member of our team. Austin graduated with his Associate in Science in Funeral Services degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville in 2011. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Florida in 2009. Austin and his wife, Courtney, are longtime residents of northeast Florida. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars and Florida State Semi
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Melody Kay Abercrombie, Funeral Assistant; Licensed Pre-Need Counselor
Melody joined the Helm-Gallagher Family in 2011. She is a lifelong resident of Green Cove Springs, and a graduate of Clay High School Class of 2000. Melody is a Notary Public for the State of Florida and a Licensed Pre-Need Counselor. She attended the Green Cove Springs Church of Christ for 25 years. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, singing and dancing, and spending time with her daughter, Sydney Kay.
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P. P. Steven Futch, Previous Owner and Licensed Funeral Director (Part Time Staff)
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Quentin Chism, Funeral Director Assistant
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Lonnie Olive Jr., Part Time Staff
