Shaw Funeral Home: Battle Creek and Bellevue, MI- Caring funeral and cremation services

T. R. Shaw Jr. is a fourth-generation funeral director. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, Central Michigan University and Wayne State University, Department of Mortuary Science. He became a licensed funeral director in 1989.

Professionally, he serves on the Board of Michigan Funeral Directors Association representing seven counties in Southwest Michigan; is past-President of District 3 of MFDA and serves on the MFDA Public Relations and Government Affairs Committees; a member firm of International Order of the Golden Rule he has attended many OGR professional symposia and seminars and is a Charter Member of the Michigan Embalmers Society.

He is past-president of the Cereal City Sunrise Rotary Club and past trustee of Rotary's District 6360 Foundation; past-president of Battle Creek AMBUCS; and is involved with many other civic organizations including the Battle Creek Community Foundation; is a past director of Charitable Union and a past member of the Battle Creek JAYCEES.

He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2005, serving most recently as a Public Affairs Officer and holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1982-1987. He is chairman of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and is president of the Battle Creek-Kalamazoo Council of the Navy League of the United States. He also serves as Secretary of the Commanders Club of Michigan and is a Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy.

Other memberships include Sigma Chi Fraternity, Central Michigan and Wayne State University Alumni Associations, Naval Reserve Association, Reserve Officer’s Association, American Legion and an associate membership in Vietnam Veterans of America.

He married Kathy Banfield, a native of Marshall in June 2000. She is also active in the business.

Chuck Stallard has been active in funeral service for more than twenty years. He returns to funeral service after spending time briefly as a financial advisor with Edward Jones & Company in Battle Creek. He has served as a funeral director and manager of funeral homes in Battle Creek, Monroe and Redford Township.

Chuck was raised in Redford Township and is a 1981 graduate of Redford Union High School. He graduated from Wayne State University's Department of Mortuary Science in 1984 and earned a bachelor of science degree from Wayne State University in 1986.

Professionally, he is a member of the Michigan Embalmers Society and active with the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.

Chuck is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek and active in many community and school activities.

He is married to the former Beth Lang of Battle Creek and has a son in the Delton School system and four stepchildren in the Battle Creek School system.

Esther M. Shaw has served the funeral profession for nearly 40 years when she married the late Thomas R. Shaw in 1959 and became an integral part of the family business at a young age. Today, she oversees the day-to-day operation of the office and helps families with various details of the funeral service. She is an invaluable resource and an experienced care-giver and familiar face to the families we serve. She has the gift of understanding the needs of families during the loss of a loved one and is always willing and ready to help.

Esther was raised in Athens, Michigan where her parents operated the Smith Orchards for many years. She developed a strong agrarian work ethic and developed customer service skills working the retail side of the business. In 2006 she celebrated her 50th Athens High School reunion and maintains strong friendships with many of her classmates.

She began an interior design degree at Michigan State University until entering funeral service. She has attended many Michigan Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) events and seminars over the years as well as many Order of the Golden Rule symposiums. Esther also served on the MFDA Women in Funeral Service Board. She is a sustaining member of Junior League of Battle Creek, past president of P.E.O., Chapter CR, active with St. Thomas Episcopal Church Service Guild and has been involved with many civic and school related activities over the years.

Kathy Banfield Shaw is a native of Marshall, graduated from Marshall High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast & Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication from Fresno State University.

Her professional background includes over 20 years in broadcast television at stations around the country, freelance writing and video production as well as sales.

Kathy and T. R. met at a CMU Alumni function after each had returned to the Battle Creek area to live and work.

Judy Steele has been resident supervisor of Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel in Bellevue since 1998.

Judy’s husband, Carl Steele, was employed at the Shaw Funeral Home in Battle Creek for 10 years before they moved into the Bellevue funeral home in January 1975. (The funeral home was updated and remodeled the next year).

Judy and Carl were active in the Bellevue community at Bellevue United Methodist Church and school sports while their sons were in high school. Judy is a member of the 20th Century Club and Esther Circle.

Upon Carl’s death, March 14, 1998, Judy took over the day-to-day activities of the funeral home and continues today.

Judy’s many years of experience has been a blessing to the families we serve and to the community. She is now a proud Grandma and Great Grandma. Her father, Vern Burrill, also worked for many years for Shaw Funeral Home in Battle Creek. Judy has been a part of the tradition of Shaw Funeral Home for many generations.

Shaw Funeral Home Support Staff

We're Here to Serve You

F. E. "Pete" Shaw, III
Don & Twylia Webber
Barb Shambach
Margy Roberts
Ken Roebuck
Michael Gillett

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