Our Staff

"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

Brian Hood

Funeral Director, Embalmer and Crematory Manager

Brian has been in the funeral business for 23 years. A graduate of San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, Brian and his wife live in Mill Valley, and when not working, enjoy traveling, their beagle and epicurean delights throughout the Bay Area and the world.

Embalmer's License #EMB8471

Funeral Director's License #FDR1799

Crematory Manager's License #CRM357

Elvira Perez

Facilities Care Technician

Elvira Perez has been a dedicated and most appreciated member of the Duggan's Mission Chapel staff for many years. A devoted wife and loving mother of three boys, she enjoys frequent gatherings with her large extended family.

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. Kirk's commitment to educating the public in funeral options is ongoing and he looks forward to serving the Sonoma Valley area for many years to come.

When away from work, Kirk enjoys cooking and visiting his three children who are away at college in San Diego, Hawaii and Florida.

Embalmer's License #EMB7460

Funeral Director's License #FDR1369

Cemetery Broker’s License #CEB1391

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Oscar Perez

Funeral Arrangement Counselor, Crematory Operator, Funeral Concierge and Transfer Technician

Oscar joined the team at Duggan’s in April of 2013 as a part-time employee. As a full-time staff member since then, he handles everything from cremations to counseling our Spanish-speaking families. A 26-year resident of Sonoma, Oscar enjoys sports, travel, and spending time with friends and family.

Thomas Eyre

Supervising Funeral Director, Embalmer and Preneed Insurance Agent representing Homesteaders Life Co.

Thomas joined Duggan's Mission Chapel in February 2017, and feels very blessed to be among his new neighbors in Sonoma. Within two weeks of graduating from high school, Thomas started in the profession as an apprentice embalmer. Later, after graduating from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas, Thomas moved back to his West Coast roots in California. Thomas has served in the funeral service profession for 24 years, and is licensed in the states of California and Texas. He enjoys living in downtown Petaluma with his husband, Roger, and cat, Phoebe. Thomas is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Petaluma. Walking, working out at the gym and going for scenic drives occupy his time when away from the funeral home.

Embalmer's License #EMB9005

Funeral Director's License #FDR2553

Crematory Manager's License #CRM529

Insurance License #0M44514

Texas Embalmer and Funeral Director Dual-License #12331

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