"Our loved ones die only when we, whom they loved, forget them." ~anonymous

Our Staff

Edward Leon

Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer

Edward "Ed" Leon purchased Duggan's Mission Chapel in December 2016 after the retirement of Marilyn Duggan Caselli (who managed the family business for decades). A native of Windsor, CA, Ed enrolled in the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science about a year after graduating from high school and has worked in the industry since. Ed has worked in Petaluma, Mill Valley, San Anselmo and Sonoma. He is one of the last funeral home owner-operators left in the Bay Area, as more and more mortuaries are corporately-owned. He is a member of ICF St. James Branch 161 of Larkspur. Ed enjoys traveling and adventuring around the world.

Embalmer's License # EMB8320

Funeral Director's License #FDR1633

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Kirk Cheda

Funeral Director and Embalmer

Born and raised in West Marin, Kirk graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1984. After working in the funeral industry for many years with his uncle, Leroy Cheda, in Mill Valley, he continued his profession in Petaluma, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and now Sonoma.

Embalmer's License #EMB7460

Funeral Director's License #FDR1369

Cemetery Broker’s License #CEB1391

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Melinda Freeman

Pre-Arrangement Counselor

Melinda Freeman joins the Duggan's team as a pre-arrangement counselor.

Melinda is a lifelong Sonoma County resident. Raised in Bodega Bay, she comes from a pioneer fishing family. Melinda and her family created a beautiful coastal garden event facility, in which she learned all aspects of creating special occasions. Her own mother's planning of her celebration of life was an immeasurable gift to her father and siblings.

Melinda seeks to guide and educate others with the value of planning ahead. Her goal is to reach an understanding of your wishes with your unique and specific needs, leading to the relief and burden on loved ones during what often can be a very difficult time.

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