Who We Are

Our staff of professionals has years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each comes to us because we are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service, and professional integrity.

• When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, 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.

• Our History

  The year was 1908. Henry Ford was about to introduce his "Model T" to the Detroit driving public, and three Italian-American brothers, Frank J., Louis C., and Paul C. Calcaterra (who later moved to St. Louis), opened their first funeral home on Brewster and Rivard, near the present Eastern Market area. A few years later in 1915, Frank T. Bagnasco started his funeral business on St. Aubin Street in the same neighborhood. As time passed and as Detroit's population grew, both families saw the need to expand. In the late 1930's, they coincidentally relocated their respective businesses to separate addresses on prestigious East Grand Boulevard.

  Again, in response to the growth in population and the shift of the marketplace to the eastern city limits and suburbs, the Bagnasco Funeral Home, then operated by Frank's widow Bessie and her two sons Sam and Anthony, moved to it's current location in St. Clair Shores. After Frank J. Calcaterra passes away in 1949, his brother took over the operation along with his four sons: Louis Jr., Frank, Paul, and Lawrence. They later moved their business to Moross and Kelly Roads in the heavily-populated northeast corner of Detroit. The suburban sprawl caused still another move, and in 1984, the Calcaterra family opened another funeral home on Schoenherr Road and 15 Mile in Sterling Heights.

  Now, almost a century since that first business began serving the ever-growing community, the two families, who have built impeccable reputations in their own right, have come together to combine their years of experience by setting the standard for funeral service excellence. Frank Bagnasco's grandson Bill and Louis Calcaterra Sr.'s son Paul now have leadership roles in the combined operation and carry on the tradition of personal service to families in their time of greatest need.

• 
  Wayne Pearson, Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director

  Wayne Pearson is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. He graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1960. Wayne is also a deacon and member of Elkton Baptist Church. He is also a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He has been serving the families of Todd County since 1961.

• 
  Jimmy Shemwell, Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director

  Jimmy Shemwell is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. He graduated from Todd Central High School in 1967. He is a Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War, a member, deacon and Sunday School Superintendent of Elkton Baptist Church, member of the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. Jimmy is also a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He has been serving the families of Todd County since 1976. He lives in Elkton with his wife, Sharon.

• 
  Brad Shemwell, Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director

  Brad Shemwell is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. He graduated from Todd Central High School in 1988 and from John A. Gupton Mortuary College in 1992. He is a member and deacon of Elkton Baptist Church and the Elkton Rotary Club. He is also a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He has been serving the families of Todd County since 1989. He lives in Elkton with his wife, Mandy and their daughters, Ellee and Natalie.

• 
  Andy Shemwell, Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director

  Andy Shemwell is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. He graduated from Todd Central High School in 1995 and from John A. Gupton Mortuary college in 2000. He is a member of Elkton Baptist Church. He has been serving the people of Todd County since 1997.
  He lives in Hopkinsville with his wife, Jenny.

• 
  Tommy Wilhite, Ambassador

  Tommy Wilhite is an ambassador with Latham Funeral Home. He assists with funeral, visitations and the day to day activities that involve serving the families of Todd County. He is a
  local minister who has pastored several area churches. He lives in Elkton with his wife Mary.

• 
  Rodney Seay, Ambassador

  Rodney Seay is also an ambassador with Latham Funeral Home. Assisting at visitations, funerals
  and with day to day activities, he also serves the families of Todd County.
  He is retired from Elkton Die Casting and graduated from Todd Central High School.
  He lives in Elkton with his wife, Jackie.