Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Homes - Team
Serving Lincoln and Mt. Pulaski
Nathan Fricke
Partner/Funeral Director
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
Nathan is from Mt. Pulaski, Illinois and went on to receive his B.A. in Business Management from the University of Illinois, and is a Worsham College of Mortuary Science graduate. Nathan’s investment in his communities dates back to 1998 when he first joined Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Homes, and the continual opportunity to assist families in these communities is something that he greatly treasures. Says Nathan, “Serving the families in my hometown community and meeting different families makes it a different experience every day.” When Nathan is not at the funeral home, he immerses himself in yard work and landscaping and spending time outdoors. Nathan and his wife Heather, who originates from Elkhart, Illinois, are the proud parents of two boys, Benjamin and Jackson and two family pets: a coon hound named Indy and a cat named Slick. Once an avid baseball player, Nathan is now excited to be utilizing his athletic and leadership talents in the coaching of his sons’ baseball teams.
Alex Calvert
Partner/Funeral Director
(309) 828-2415 or (217) 935-3166
Alex, his wife Sue, and beloved chocolate lab, Sally, live in rural Heyworth, Illinois. The proud father of a son and three daughters, Alex treasures his family time and the many activities and events that they enjoy together. Alex’s hobbies include landscaping and playing golf, especially with his son, Evan. He earned his undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a funeral service degree from Mid-America College of Funeral Services. Alex has been working with Calvert Funeral Homes since 1987. Alex readily admits that he always wanted to be a funeral director; and he loves seeing the families he has helped days or even weeks after their service, to see and hear how they are healing and to hear their stories of strength, recovery, and growth.
Ryan Murphy
Funeral Director
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
A native of Woodridge, Illinois, and a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Ryan has quickly become a fan of Logan County and the communities that he serves daily since he moved there in 2014. Ryan, his wife Samantha (who is a high school English teacher in Lincoln), along with his daughter (Natalie) and twin sons (Aaron and Liam) appreciate the "friendly, honest, and relaxed atmosphere" that Lincoln and its neighboring towns offer. Regarding those communities, Ryan recognizes their “amazing ability to help each other and come together to assist those people who are grieving and in need.” When asked what he loves about his profession, Ryan asserts, "I love seeing and helping grieving families find their path through their grief journey. It feels good to shine a light in the void by creating a way to honor their loved one. One of the most gratifying experiences is when I am finished making funeral arrangements with a family and I get to see them take a sigh of relief, knowing that their worries are over and that we are going to take care of everything." When not serving families in need, Ryan enjoys a variety of hobbies, including exercising and playing basketball at the Lincoln Park District, reading comic books and novels, and watching his beloved Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks in the company of his family, friends, and Neapolitan Mastiff, Franklin. Ryan used to compete in nationally-ranked video game competitions, but now you will most often find Ryan in the kitchen, where his Italian and Irish family ties are clearly evident. After finding out that he was going to be a father, Ryan lost 130 lbs., but that did not affect his affinity for cooking. So passionate is Ryan about food preparation (especially Italian food), that he claims that if he were not working at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Homes, he would likely be found in the food industry owning and operating his own restaurant.
Todd Deibert
Funeral Director
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
Todd Deibert is quite familiar with his surroundings; especially since he was born and raised in Logan County and is a graduate of Mt. Pulaski High School, Lincoln College, and later Worsham College of Mortuary Science. As Todd attests, after living in a large, metropolitan area for many years, it is “nice to be in a small town.” Todd’s community roots run deep, as he began his work in the funeral industry in 2002 with Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Homes. Those hometown ties propel him in his profession, especially as Todd admits to cherishing the opportunity to “help families honor their loved ones while working with them as they walk through the grieving process.” Todd and his wife Krystle (who were married in 2007) are the proud parents of a daughter (Reese) and a son (Everett); and between yard work, mountain biking, serving at his church, and rooting for the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals (he collects Major League Baseball hats from every Major League Baseball city and stadium he has visited), and Illinois Fighting Illini, he and his family stay very busy. Upon retirement, Todd’s dream would be to apply his aforementioned affinity for baseball to a job working on the grounds crew for the St. Louis Cardinals, which would allow him, as he readily jokes, to “see all the games for free.”
Evan Calvert
Funeral Director
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
Evan is a fourth-generation Director. Educated at Carthage College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Evan is pleased to be working with his family and serving families throughout Central Illinois. He lives in Bloomington with his wife, Lauren, and enjoys being a part of the community. Evan chose to be a Funeral Director simply because he feels the need to serve families with the kindness, care and compassion that only a family-operated funeral home can offer. When not working, Evan enjoys golfing, fishing and spending time with his wife, family, and his dogs, Frank and Mooney. His dream job would be to play on the PGA tour with his Dad as his caddy!
Gina Canchola
Funeral Director Apprentice
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
A graduate of Eastern Illinois University and Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Gina has enjoyed an interesting path to her position of Funeral Director Apprentice for Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Homes. Before coming to Lincoln, Illinois, Gina grew up in Oak Forest, Illinois and spent eight years as a professional ice skater. Gina is so passionate about her sport that she promptly admits that some day she could see herself as an ice-skating coach. When Gina is not on the ice, she enjoys taking care of her plants, thrifting, investing in the communities that she serves, and spending time with the “great people she works with” among her Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home family.
Lori Nelson
Family Care Specialist
(217) 732-4155
Lori Nelson is no stranger to small towns, especially when considering that she grew up in Union Hill, Illinois and attended nearby Reddick High School in Reddick, Illinois. Lori left those tiny towns and attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis on advertising and graphic design. Even though Lori exited those small towns, she still has an affinity for them. In fact, Lori said this about the communities that she represents, “I love how the people are so genuine and sincere. The traditional values, coupled with the close, community connection, is still very special to me.” Lori is very close with family, especially her parents and step-son, Andy, and her ancestral line includes one of our nation’s founding fathers – Alexander Hamilton. When Lori is not serving families in a pre-need and aftercare environment, she can be found with her two Schnauzers (Jax and Shotzy) and enjoying her hobbies, which include politics, history, shopping, and travel. Lori’s passion for her profession and co-workers is evidenced every day, but if she were not serving individuals and families in need, she readily admits that she would love to travel the world and experience its rich culture and history.
Andrea Galvin
Office Manager
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
An Illinois Institute of Art (Schaumburg) graduate and a native of Mt. Pulaski, Andrea brings a bountiful supply of local and statewide culture to her position as Office Manager. In fact, Andrea’s array of interests include reading, kayaking, thrifting, trying new foods (she wants to travel to Italy someday), and eventually owning her own bookstore so she could be “surrounded by books all the time”. When asked what she loves most about her job and the communities that she serves, Andrea quickly admits that she loves “talking with the families and hearing their stories.” She also admitted that she “likes the planning that goes into the services, making it run smoothly for families.” Speaking of family, Andrea’s love for hers is always evident, especially when she is able to spend time with her husband (Andrew), son (Trevor), dog (Lola), and cat (Ash).
Chad Sparks
Public Relations Director
(309) 828-2415
Chad and his wife Cammie live in Bloomington, Illinois with their 2 children. As the ultimate sports fan, Chad loves to root for his favorite teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Fighting Illini, Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Timberwolves. If he wasn’t working at Calvert Funeral Homes, Chad’s dream job would be the general manager of the Chicago Cubs. Since 2007, Calvert Funeral Homes has given Chad the opportunity to represent a premier company and build a partnership with the community through marketing and public events. When not working, you can find Chad enjoying sports, movies, reading, traveling, and Bible study.
Charles “Chuck” Fricke
Partner/Funeral Director
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
Charles “Chuck” Fricke, son of Armen and Vivian Fricke, began his career in funeral service while working for his parents in high school. Working on weekends and after sporting events, he graduated from Illinois First Emergency Management Technician (EMT) School for First Aid. Chuck learned about service and sacrifice firsthand from his father, who served during World War II in Africa and Italy while assigned to the 34th Red Bull division. In 1973, Chuck graduated Magna Cum Laude from Worsham Mortuary College in Chicago and finished his Business Management Degree later. Chuck served as the youngest state president for the Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) from 1982-1983 and was the Logan County coroner from 2001-2004. Chuck is married to Penny Southerlan.
Larry Calvert
Partner
(217) 935-3166
Receiving his degree in Mortuary Science from Indiana College, Larry has been serving each community with personal service and attention since 1960. While he couldn't imagine doing anything else, when he isn't working at Calvert Funeral Homes, you might find Larry on the golf course or traveling with his wife Karen. What Larry enjoys most about being a partner at Calvert Funeral Homes is serving the people.
Dennis Schrader
Partner
Lincoln (217) 732-4155 / Mt. Pulaski (217) 792-3235
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