Our Staff

John was born and raised in Wheeling, WV.  He represents the fourth generation funeral director in his family.  He attended West Virginia University and West Liberty State College and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. John holds a funeral director's license in West Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina and is past president of the West Virginia Funeral Directors Assoc.  He also belongs to several organizations and study groups around the country that focus on the welfare of the funeral industry.  He is a member the North Mecklenburg Rotary Club, where he served as president 2016 - 2017, Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Funeral Directors Assoc., Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, and the 2016 recipient of the Robert T. Cashion "Business Person of the Year" Award. In September 2021 John was honored to be elected to the board of directors of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, the largest independent funeral organization in the country.

He is married to Claudia Wisbon Kepner and they have two children, Krystal  Schoepke and her husband Michael of Cornelius, and Jonathan Kepner and his wife Lindsey Baxter Kepner of Cornelius, who represents the fifth generation of funeral service in the Kepner family.  John is the proud new grandfather to Theodore "Theo" John Schoepke and Kashton "Kash" Lee Kepner

Claudia was raised in Pittsburgh, PA and received her undergraduate education from West Liberty State College.   She is married to John Kepner and they have two children, daughter, Krystal  Schoepke and her husband Michael and son Jonathan Kepner and his wife Lindsey of both of Cornelius. She is very grateful that both of her children and their families live so close, especially her two grandsons, Theo and Kash.  Claudia worked in the Real Estate business for over 20 years and is proud to be working at the funeral home. She and John are members of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and care deeply about the community and are happy and proud the serve the Lake Norman area.

Jonathan was born and raised in Wheeling, WV.  He is the son of John and Claudia Kepner.  He graduated from The Linsly School, West Virginia University and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.  Jonathan represents the fifth generation of funeral service in the Kepner family.  In 2018 he married Lindsey Baxter, and they now reside in Cornelius, NC with their son, Kashton Lee; daughter, Cori Jean and dog Mo.  He enjoys working out, entrepreneurial business adventures, sports, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. 

Lindsey was born in Dothan, Alabama and raised in the small town of Malone, Florida. She is a graduate of St. Petersburg College of Funeral Service in Florida and is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. In 2015 she joined Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home as a funeral director and Pre-arrangement specialist. 

In 2018 she married Jonathan Kepner and in 2021 they added to their family with a little boy named, Kashton Lee Kepner.

 In her spare time she enjoys outdoor activities, reading, crafts, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Ron Boyd is a native of Gaston County. He earned his Funeral Service degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Ron joined the Raymer-Kepner team in 2021 and feels blessed to be able to serve the families in our community. Ron serves on the board of directors for the Mt. Holly Rotary Club and the board of directors for Animal City. He enjoys spending time with his family and pets, and volunteer work. Ron is a US Army Veteran and served as a Mortuary Affairs Sergeant.

Robert Helms has 34 years of experience in the funeral industry. He graduated from Gupton- Jones College of Funeral Service in Georgia, being licensed as both a funeral director and embalmer.  Robert grew up in the Mooresville area and enjoys the many sites around the state, the Blue Ridge Parkway being his favorite.  He and his wife, Karen have made the Granite Quarry area their home. Robert also has a stepson, Kyle Zimmerman. In their spare time they enjoy having Christian Fellowship with other believers and visiting historical sites.  Robert's favorite verse is Isaiah 8:20.

Erin Sturgill is a native of northern Ohio and resides with her husband and children in Lincoln County.  She earned her Bachelors degree from The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2001 and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer.  Erin joined the Raymer-Kepner team in 2018 and feels blessed to serve the families who find themselves in need of our services.

In addition to raising their own children, Erin and her husband have been foster parents for the past 5 years.  Erin also enjoys gardening, baking, watching her children participate in school and club sports, and boating with her family.  She and her family attend church at Lake Forest Westlake in Denver, North Carolina.

Tish, a native of Statesville North Carolina moved to the Charlotte area in 1994. She attended UNC Charlotte, where she received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's degree in Engineering Management. In the telecommunications industry for over 20 years, Tish left the engineering environment to follow her heart to serve others.

Tish is active and attends Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Her passions include family, animals, volunteering, serving on mission trips, and outdoors.

Jarod was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in business administration, and is a licensed Funeral Director in the state of North Carolina. After close to 20 years in the funeral

industry, Jarod found a home with Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home assisting individuals and families with planning their funeral arrangements before a need arises - saving families time, money, and removing anxiety from an already difficult situation. When he’s not at the office, odds are you will find him out and about with his wife Shannon, and their two children Kaitlin and Jett. They enjoy the outdoors, sports, walking their dog Belle, and virtually anything that keeps them moving.

Enrique (Ricky) Rojas is a native of Bogotá Colombia, he lived in Stamford CT before moving to North Carolina.  He moved here after retiring from Pitney Bowes, a company he enjoyed working at for 28 years. Ricky is an avid golfer; he enjoys playing at least twice a week.  He also enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  He especially enjoys traveling to watch one of his granddaughters play club soccer. He worked part time at Birkdale Golf Course for 17 years, and for the last two years has worked at The Northstone Country Club. An active member at St.Mark’s Catholic Church for 19 years,  Ricky is a Lead Usher and while part of the Bereavement group two and a half years ago, he joined Raymer-Kepner as a Funeral Assistant.

Rod Bratton is a dedicated funeral assistant at Raymer-Kepner who is actively involved in his community. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and pickleball and was previously a Penn State football player. He is also a former church elder and works at the NorthStone Country Club. With a passion for staying active and engaged, Rod is a valued community member

Kristi Smith is a valued member of the Raymer-Kepner team who is actively engaged in her community. She is an elder at the Cornelius Presbyterian Church and in addition to her work at the funeral home, she also contributes to the community through her involvement with Artistry Florals and Davidson College Bookstore. Kristi's dedication to serving others makes her an excellent asset to the team.

Larry was born and raised  and has lived in North Mecklenburg County his entire  life. He has been married to Janet Cox Horton for almost fifty years, who also is a native of North Mecklenburg County. They have two adult children Andrew Horton, Anna Drury and her husband AJ Drury who have two sons Bryce and Jackson, who all live in Cornelius, NC. Larry has been a member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church for more than forty-five years.

Clyde was born and raised in Cornelius, NC.  He is married to the lovely Suzanne Frye Caldwell and they have two children and three granddaughters.  Clyde is semi-retired from Caterpillar, Inc.  He is a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and enjoys playing golf in his spare time.

Joyce is a native of the Charlotte area and has been married to Barry Wayne Bosher for 47 years.  They have two children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  She is an active member of the Gloyland Baptist Church.  Joyce enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and traveling to the mountains.