Who We Are
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
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Our History
Although the names and faces of the staff may have changed over the last 89 years, the dedication and quality service at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes has remained consistent throughout.
In 1915, Thomas Morgan began his funeral business and was joined in 1928 by Michael “Bud” Clancy. Their business was located just south of the Kankakee Court House on the corner of Merchant and Harrison Streets in Kankakee. Together these two men were highly respected leaders in their profession.
In 1955, Richard “Dick” Clancy joined his father, Bud, in the family business. Bud and Dick Clancy saw their business grow and in 1963 they built the location at 1151 E. Court St. in Kankakee. In January 1972, tragedy struck the Clancy family with the sudden death of Dick Clancy, followed by the death of his father, Bud, five months later. The business was then operated by Bud’s wife, Catherine, who was also a licensed funeral director. Tim Gernon joined his Aunt Catherine in 1972 and together they managed the business. 1986 marked the opening of the new Clancy Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A mere two years later, Catherine Clancy passed away. That same year, they acquired Sexton Funeral Home in Manteno and Houk Funeral Home in St. Anne. Patty Clancy, Dick’s daughter, joined her cousin Tim in the family business in 1990.
This brings us to where we are today. In January of 2004, Hertz-Thoma Funeral Chapel was purchased by the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes. Hertz-Thoma has been a Kankakee funeral home since 1904 when it was started by Ben Hertz and later run by Gilbert Hertz. The Hertz-Thoma staff of Herb Hunn, manager; Joe Harvell, crematory manager, and Sara Beth Soucie, licensed funeral director have joined Tim Gernon, President; and Patty Clancy, Vice-President; Robert Gernon, Tim's son and licensed funeral director; Paul Tezak, licensed funeral director since 1973; Eric Mayo, licensed funeral director; Michael Larocque, licensed funeral director; Colleen Regnier, business manager; Glenn and Lynn Houk, St. Anne managers and former owners; Marlene Clancy; Lynn Sheehan; Charley Frame; and Kathy Goodrich to form the new Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes staff. Services will be conducted in the finest facilities available in Kankakee County at the following locations: Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home at 295 Main St. NW in Bourbonnais; Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home at 1480 W. Court St., in Kankakee; Clancy-Gernon-Houk Funeral Home at 214 W. Sheffield in St. Anne; and Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home at 291 N. Main St. in Manteno.
Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes continue to offer sincere and compassionate funeral service at affordable prices. These services include a wide range of funeral packages, cremation options, and pre-arrangement plans. At Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes you will ALWAYS meet with a licensed funeral director whether you need their services immediately or are planning for the future. The diverse and experienced staff enables them to provide the premier funeral service for your family. They offer unique personalization of services, 24 hours/day availability, the only on-site crematory in the Kankakee County, and many other resources to best serve families in the community. Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes continue to honor the tradition of generations past and respect the changes of the future.
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Our Valued Staff
From left: Robert D. Gernon, Licensed Funeral Director; Patricia A. Clancy, Owner, Vice President & Funeral Director; Marlene Clancy, Associate; Lawrence Tim Gernon, Owner, President, & Funeral Director
Our Funeral Directors
Lawrence Tim Gernon
Owner, President, & Licensed Funeral Director
City of Residence: Kankakee, IL
School: BS degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1972
Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1973
Personal Information: He and his wife, former Colette Childs, have three children. Daughter, Liz, is a teacher for the Kankakee School District. Son, Rob, is employed here at the funeral home. Daughter, Timoney, is employed by Bradley Grade School. Tim has 1 grandson.
Member of St. Patrick Church, past president of Parish Council and past board member of St. Patrick Grade School, Kankakee, IL. Member of: Hundred Club; Kankakee Country Club; Former Member, Founder, and First President of Hospice of Kankakee Valley; Provena St. Mary’s Hospital Board of Directors; Diocese of Joliet Education Foundation; Past General Chairman of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School Capital Campaign and KCC Capital Campaign; Kiwanis Club; Knights of Columbus; Elks; former Chairman of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School Auction; Former Member of Provena Our Lady of Victory Nursing home board of directors; Member and one of the founders of KCC Cavalier Club; Board member of Kankakee Community College Foundation; President of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School Foundation.
Patricia A. Clancy
Owner, Vice President, & Licensed Funeral Director
City of Residence: Bourbonnais, IL
School: BA degree from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN in 1986
MBA degree from Loyola University, Chicago, IL in 1989
Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1990
Personal Information: Member of Maternity BVM Church, Bourbonnais, IL
Member of Zonta International; Member of Kankakee Country Club; Bishop McNamara Catholic High School Finance committee.
Robert D. Gernon
Licensed Funeral Director
City of Residence: Bourbonnais, IL
School: Graduate of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School in 1998
BBA degree in Marketing from The University of Iowa in 2002
Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2003
Personal Information: Lives in Bourbonnais with his wife, Nicole, who is a teacher in Manhattan, IL. They have one son, William. Member of Maternity BVM Church, Bourbonnais, IL; Board Member of Bishop McNamara Alumni Association; Member of the Hundred Club
Marlene Clancy
Associate
City of Resident: Manteno, IL
Personal information: Member of St. Joseph Church in Manteno; Widow of Richard Clancy and mother of four Kevin, Michael, Mary and Patricia. Grandmother of 4. Member of Manteno Woman’s Club; Associate member of Provena St. Mary’s alumni and avid reader.
Paul Tezak
Licensed Funeral Director
City of Residence: Bradley, IL
School: Attended Eastern Illinois University
Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1972
Personal Information: My wife Kathy and I have two children and 5 grandchildren
Herb Hunn
Licensed Funeral Director
Herb retired in December, 2011. We wish him good luck in his retirement.
City of Residence: Kankakee, IL
School: Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1974
Personal Information: Came to Kankakee in 1996. My wife Marilyn and I have two children and four grandchildren. Member of: American Legion Post 85 ; AMVETS Post 107; Vintage Squadron; Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 693; Crime Stoppers; St. Mark United Methodist Church; Kankakee County Historical Society; Hundred Club; Rotary Club of Kankakee.
Sara Beth Soucie
Licensed Funeral Director
City of Residence: Bradley, IL
School: Graduate of Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School in 1996
Associate degree from Kankakee Community College in 1999
Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2002
Personal Information: Member of St. George Church where I am a Eucharistic Minister and Lector; Volunteer for Ronald McDonald House Charities; Participant in 2010 Bank of American Chicago Marathon. Volunteer for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (2007 – present). My husband is James and I have two step children
Eric Mayo
Licensed Funeral Director
City of Residence: Kankakee, IL
School: Graduate of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School in 1998
BS degree from Illinois State University in 2002
Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2005
Personal Information: Member of Maternity BVM Church, Bourbonnais, IL
Member of Knights of Columbus
Michael LaRocque
Licensed Funeral Director
City of Residence: Bradley, IL
School: Graduate of Herscher High School in 2005
Attended Kankakee Community College
Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2008
Personal Information: Married to Katrina, who is also a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science and they have one son, Grayson.
Joseph Harvell
Crematory Manager of Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Crematory
City of Residence: Kankakee, IL
School: Graduate of Manteno High School
Personal Information: Born and raised in Deselm (Manteno) area and lifelong resident of Kankakee County.
Colleen Regnier
Office Manager
City of Residence: Manteno, IL
School: Graduate of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School
Personal Information: Married to Bill and have two children and 2 granddaughters.
Member of Maternity BVM Church, Bourbonnais, IL
Lynn Sheehan
Associate and Building Maintenance
City of Residence: Bourbonnais, IL
Personal information: Retired from Kankakee City Police Department in 1999. He has two children and 5 grandchildren
Charles Frame
Associate
City of Residence: Manteno, IL
School: BS in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University
Personal Information: Retired as an Illinois State Trooper after 28 years. My wife, Kim, and I reside in Manteno and have two children
Kathleen Goodrich
Associate
City of Residence: St. Anne, IL
School: Graduate of BBCHS in 1981
Personal Information: Member of St. Anne Catholic Church, St. Anne, IL where she is Eucharistic Minister. She has 3 children and a grandson.
Dominic Macaluso
Associate
City of Residence: Bourbonnais, IL
Richard and Dorothy Schnell
Associate
City of Residence: Bourbonnais, IL
