History & Staff

Jeff Salser, Former Owner (Retired)

One of the original founders, Jeff Salser moved from the Central Coast, to start his own transportation service here in the Central Valley, where he worked with funeral homes up and down California. Jeff & Steve knew Visalia needed a locally owned and owner operated funeral chapel to serve their community with dignity and respect, so in 2001 they embarked on their mission to do just that. Over the years, along with their dedicated staff, they have cared for thousands of families in need and worked tirelessly to build what is today, Tulare County's largest Funeral Chapel, which they ran together for nearly 16 years, until Jeff's retirement in 2018.

Steve P. Dillard, Owner/CEO

Experience and passion is what Steve Dillard brings to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Born and raised in Hanford where his parents and one sister still live, Steve started his, nearly 40 years experience in the funeral business, at 14 washing the cars at Peoples Funeral Chapel in Hanford, where his uncle John E. Lemos worked, and Steve continued to learn the business there for the next several years. At 20 Steve began an apprenticeship as well as broadened his experience with Whitehurst-McNamara in Hanford and continued working for the Lowen Group until he moved to Laguna Hills California in June 1987 where he worked for O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary. While working at O’Conner's, he attended Cypress College of Mortuary Science and graduated in December 1988 where he received the Ma Green Outstanding Student Award. After successfully completing the California State Board of Embalmers Exam and the National Board Certificate Exam he returned to the Loewen Group working for Hadley Funeral Chapel in Visalia January 1989. He worked at several Loewen locations in Kings and Tulare Counties before leaving in 1999. In 2001 Steve along with Jeff started the process opening their own chapel. When asked why he chose to open his own chapel, Steve's response was clear, "After traveling for many years with the Lowen Group, I had the opportunity to meet and work for many former chapel owners: Frank and Harold Keaton, Claude Wondrow, Lloyd Bledsoe, Don Miller, David and Paul Miller, Don Evans, Jack Creighton, Joe O'Conner, Dick Hemmingway, Clem McNamara, they all exemplified the importance of quality professional service and I wanted that for myself." Steve has a long history of funeral service here in the valley:

Peoples Funeral Chapel, Hanford CA;
Whitehurst McNamara, Hanford CA;
Hadley Funeral Chapel, Visalia and Farmersville CA;
Millers Memorial Chapel, Visalia CA;
Miller’s Tulare Funeral Chapel CA;
Bledsoe Family Peoples Funeral Chapel, Corcoran CA;

And now a long and successful history owning his own chapel. A proud father of three and grandfather of six, Steve's roots in the Valley are deep and he looks forward to continuing to serve his community for many years to come building a legacy that lasts for the generations.

Eddie Peña, Funeral Director/Embalmer

Born and raised right here in Visalia, Eddie graduated from Mt. Whitney High School. He began his, so far, 25 year career in the funeral business in 1988 with the original Hadley Funeral Chapel, where he worked for three years until he decided to go off to further his skills and receive his degree in Mortuary Science at Cypress College and become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. After serving as manager for Coleman Mortuary in La Habra for five years, Eddie returned to Visalia and Hadley Funeral Chapel where he also became the manager in 1998 and served the Visalia and Farmersville communities until he went to work in Bakersfield with Greenlawn Mortuaries and Cemeteries serving Kern County for ten years five of which he spent as President and CEO. A loving father to two beautiful children, Eddie returned to his roots and his home in 2010; having known Jeff and worked with Steve in the past it was a pleasure to join the Salser & Dillard team and be part of another locally owned and operated funeral chapel that was not only professional but took pride in serving families in need, a passion dear to his own heart.

George D. Sandoval Sr., Funeral Arranger

George is no stranger to serving his community; a Valley resident for 60 years he graduated from Redwood High School, College of the Sequoias and finally California State University of Fresno with a degree in Business Administration. George's legacy of service began with the City of Visalia's Fire Department where he spent 33 years, until he retired in 2007 as Visalia's Fire Chief. Despite his abundant involvement in his large extended family, this loving husband, father (4) and grandfather (4), couldn't go too long without being involved with the community he loves. So in 2009 he joined the Salser & Dillard team part-time and sure enough by 2010 George was a full-time Funeral Arranger, once again bringing his care and dedication to families of Visalia at their time of greatest need. He is proud to be a part of Visalia's only locally owned and owner operated funeral chapel.

Jenna Hill, Funeral Director/Embalmer

Hayley Brooks, Funeral Arranger/Apprentice Embalmer

Juanita Matta, Office Manager

Born and raised here in the Central Valley, Juanita is all about family; one of 19 children, she is a loving wife and mother of four. After graduating from College of the Sequoias and working with the Easter Seal Society and Wells Fargo Bank, she found a home working at Holy Family Catholic Church for 14 Years. Her time with the church is what ushered her into serving families in need starting at Miller Memorial Chapel where she first met Steve & Jeff and in Juanita's words was "impressed with their honesty, sincerity and professionalism." She was therefore honored to join their staff in 2004 helping to provide families the utmost in care.

Tania Gomez-Hill, Administrative Assistant

Rose Flores, Administrative Assistant

Amber E. Taunton, Director of Family Service & Marketing

Emilio Alvarez, Family Service Director

Michele Vasquez, Family Service Director

Richard DelReal, Assistant Cremationist/Funeral Service Staff

Veronica Espino, First Responder/Funeral Service Staff

Robert Hernandez, Funeral Service Staff/First Responder

Art Sanchez, First Responder/Funeral Service Staff

Rafael Govea, First Responder/Funeral Service Staff

Roland Salazar, First Responder/Funeral Service Staff

Rodney Castro, Funeral Service Staff

Louie Montion, Funeral Service Staff

Roger Phillips, Funeral Service Staff

Curtis Christensen, Funeral Service Staff

Jasmine Alvarez, Funeral Service Staff

Cristian Garcia, Funeral Service Staff

Carol Serpa, Funeral Service Staff

Helio Amaral, Maintenance Technichian