Our Team

Our team is dedicated to protecting the professional image you have worked so hard to establish.

Christopher Cepeda

Owner/President

Anthony Arzola

Senior Director of Operations/Funeral Director

BIO

Anthony Arzola is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer with 10 years of experience in funeral service. He joined Compassion Funeral Service in May 2022 and currently serves as the Senior Director of Operations for Compassion. Anthony oversees licensed staff and dispatchers, supports marketing & sales efforts, and helps ensure that company procedures are consistently followed with professionalism and care.

Anthony’s decision to become a Funeral Director was inspired by the personal loss of a close family member. The care and compassion shown during that funeral left a lasting impression and motivated him to pursue a career dedicated to helping families through some of life’s most difficult moments.

Anthony earned his Associate Degree in Mortuary Science from Malcolm X College in 2011, where he also had the honor of serving as Program President. He later earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Roosevelt University in 2013.

His career has included work in a variety of funeral service environments, including DuPage Cremations, Twin Pines Crematory, Moss Family Funeral Homes, Friedrich/Overman Jones Funeral Homes, and Fox River Cremation Society, where he served as the primary director during his tenure at Moss.

Throughout his career, Anthony has been entrusted with high-profile and deeply meaningful services, including the 2022 Highland Park Parade shooting and services for Chicago Police Officer John G. Bartholomew.

He also created and produced The Fluid Forum, a continuing education event for funeral service professionals.

In 2026, Anthony was honored to serve as the keynote speaker for the Malcolm X College Mortuary Science Pinning Ceremony.

Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Anthony has lived in both the city and surrounding suburbs and currently resides in the western suburbs.

He enjoys working at Compassion because of the company’s culture, supportive team environment, and the opportunity to serve families with flexibility and purpose. Outside of work, Anthony can usually be found attending a concert or music festival.

Todd Jarvis

Dispatch and Fleet Maintenance Manager

Leah Krull

Funeral Director / Embalmer

Stephanie Campbell

Funeral Director / Embalmer

Eric Farias-Diaz

Funeral Director / Embalmer

BIO

Eric Farias-Diaz is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer with nearly a decade of experience serving families with compassion, care, and professionalism. A 2016 graduate of Southern Illinois University, Eric has been dedicated to guiding families through some of life’s most difficult moments with dignity and respect ever since.

Family-oriented by nature, Eric brings a calm, grounded presence to his work, always striving to provide thoughtful support tailored to each family’s needs. On his free time, he enjoys both watching and participating in sports, spending quality time with loved ones, and exploring new food spots.

Clayton Glomb

Funeral Director / Embalmer

Angeline Glomb

Funeral Director / Embalmer

Joshua Hallstrom

Funeral Director / Embalmer

William Hamilton

Funeral Director / Embalmer

BIO

William is a Funeral Director and Embalmer at Compassion Funeral Services. He started at Compassion in July of 2024. He performs removals, prepares the deceased for service, as well as any other tasks requiring a licensed funeral director.

William received his Mortuary Science degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, graduating in March of 2015. From there he apprenticed at his hometown funeral home of Glueckert Funeral Home, and upon completion proceeded to work Twin Pines Crematory in East Dundee, IL.

William first learned about the funeral directing industry after multiple family losses at a young age, choosing to become a funeral director after the loss of his grandfather in 2012.

Born in Mississippi before moving to the Chicagoland area as a child, when not at work William can often be found at either the gym or local bookstores.”

Tyra Watson

Funeral Director / Embalmer

Thomas Stechmiller

Funeral Director/ Embalmer

John W. Tautkus

Funeral Director / Embalmer / Dispatcher

Jessica A.

Funeral Director Apprentice

Amaris Ocon

Funeral Director Apprentice

BIO

Amaris Ocon is a dedicated Funeral Director Apprentice with Compassion Funeral Service since August 2024. Amaris works closely alongside licensed funeral directors, assisting with removals, embalmings, and funeral services while continuing to build her knowledge and experience within the funeral profession.

A graduate of Malcolm X College’s Mortuary Science program in May 2025, Amaris has carried a passion for funeral service since she was just 11 years old. Although life led her down different paths for a time, she remained committed to her dream and proudly pursued her calling at 27 years old.

Born and raised in Chicago and now residing in Midlothian, Illinois, Amaris is also a proud parent of four wonderful children. Her journey reflects resilience, perseverance, and dedication qualities she brings into both her personal life and professional career every day.

Amaris believes deeply in the power of compassion, positivity, and meaningful human connection. She is committed to serving families with dignity, care, and respect during some of life’s most difficult moments, and looks forward to continuing to grow within the funeral service profession.

Jonathan Peddicord

Funeral Director Apprentice

Milo Arreguin

Funeral Director Assistant

Derek J Gettys

Funeral Director Assistant

Pam Mason

Funeral Director Assistant

Tiarra Houston

Funeral Director Assistant

Brian Wright

Associate

Karla Nawrocki

Associate

Bridgette Jones

Associate

Sarah Amos

Dispatch

Zachary Cepeda

Systems Administrator

BIO

Zach has been with Compassion Funeral Service since April 2020. He began his role as a staff member assisting in various client facing services as well as maintaining the health and cleanliness of our fleet. He went on to help develop our service records and billing processes.

Zach is currently a student at the University of Illinois studying Finance & Information Systems and continues to bring valuable contributions to the business remotely.

Benjamin Bealis

Accounts Receivable

Joy Cepeda

Accounts Payable

BIO

Joy has been with Compassion Funeral Service since 2019, serving as a Funeral Director Assistant. Joy’s role is to provide assistance to families and friends, in ways that assures them their loved one is handled with utmost care and respect.

In 2014, Joy attended McHenry County College and earned her nursing assistant certification. She has been working in healthcare since 2015 and is currently a Patient Care Technician in Cardiac Telemetry for Northwestern Medicine. Joy’s medical background provides her with a great understanding of lifespan development and the ending transition. Joy’s current goal is to accomplish a degree in Human Resources and continue growing with Compassion Funeral Service.

Joy was born and raised in the small farm town of Hebron Illinois. She is the youngest of three girls, and has two nephews and one niece. Joy grew up working for her Dad in his busy sign shop in Hebron; and today in her spare time, you may find her working at the local bridal store selling wedding gowns to excited brides to be! In Joys off time, she loves being home and spending time with her two white German Shepherds, Vito and Athena. Joy has always found it important to be there for those who are in need of support. Joy’s professional goal is to continue supporting families by providing them with a positive, lasting memory of their loved one. And with that, peace and closure.