History & Staff

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 seven, 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.

Tania G. Hill, Family Care Director

Lydia Paul, Funeral Director

Lisa McCurry, Clinical Care Team Member

Hayley Brooks, Funeral Director/Embalmer

Juanita Matta, Family Care 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.

Louisa Carson, Family Care Assistant

Brock Fleischman, Clinical Care Team Member/Family Care Associate

Rose Flores, Family Care Assistant

Amber E. Taunton, Director of Family Service & Marketing

Emilio Alvarez, Family Service Director

Richard DelReal, Clinical Care Team Member

Mike Brown, Clinical Care Team Member

Veronica Espino, Clinical Care Team Member

Mark DiGirolamo, Family Care Associate

Kayla Pena, Clinical Care Team Member/Family Care Associate

Robert Hernandez, Family Care Associate

Roland Salazar, Family Care Associate

Cristian Garcia, Family Care Associate

Camisha Garcia, Clinical Care Team Member/Family Care Associate

Curtis Christensen, Family Care Associate

Angelina Matlock, Family Care Associate

Stacy Fistolera, Family Care Associate

Jessica Sanchez, Family Care Associate

Helio Amaral, Facility Care Associate

Paul Dillard, Auto Care Associate