Staff

Joseph Swiger

Joseph Swiger

Joseph Swiger, Manager
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Joseph  has lived in Alaska for 8 years.  He is married to his wife, Teresa for 16 years and has 2 teenage sons; Luke and Nathan.  He originally came to Alaska for adventure but fell in love with this great state and the independence spirit it affords.  Joseph is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Funeral Service Education.  He also holds a degree in Theology from the Faith School of Theology in Charleston, Maine.  He loves to referee high school football and wrestling and spending time with his wife and two kids is a priority.  He is a member of the Glacier Valley Church of God, Capitol City Republicans, Juneau Football Referee Association and Alaska Native Brotherhood (Camp 70).

Joseph loves being a funeral director and realizes he helps people at the absolute worst time of their lives.  He feels privileged to be able to help people bridge the gap between unspeakable grief and living.
 

Kristi Cheatham

Kristi Cheatham

Kristi Cheatham, Administrative Assistant

Kristi Cheatham is from Oklahoma, and moved to Juneau in 1996. Her family consists of her husband George, and her two sons Jared and Jeremiah. Kristi came to Alaska to help work in a church for about 6 months in Sitka and ended up moving to Juneau. Kristi schooled at Seminole Sate College in Seminole, Oklahoma where she did 2 years of Business/Accounting.

“With this job, it makes me very aware of the difficult time a family is experiencing and how I can help them with their loss and pain. I feel that I am a very caring person, so with that character, I treat the families with the utmost respect as I would want my own family treated in a critical time of need.”

Kristi’s special interests are spending time with her family and friends, baking and crafts. She is involved in church activities and youth sports with her children.

Margaret Reese

Margaret Reese

Margaret Reese, Funeral Director/Embalmer

After visiting Juneau and Southeast Alaska twice, Margaret moved to Juneau in July 1996 because she fell in love with its peaceful surroundings and ways of life. She has two grown sons; Brian and Bill, that live in Pittsburgh, PA and a soon-to-be daughter-in-law. She has three cat children; Dax, Sheila and Mee Chyou.

Margaret received her schooling at Allegheny County Community College and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

This job has been a dream for her since she was a very young girl. She went against the norm of girls not being in the profession and loves the interaction with people and helping those in need.

In her spare time, Margaret loves to travel and when at home, she enjoys crafts, knitting, reading and cooking.