Our Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Born and raised in America’s Hometown, James J. O’Donnell, graduated from Hannibal High School, has an Associate of Arts Degree from Hannibal LaGrange College and a Bachelor of Science in History from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. O'Donnell also holds an Associate of Mortuary Science Degree from Kansas City, Kansas Community College, and is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in both Missouri and Illinois.
In the spring of 2012 Jim was appointed by Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon to the Truman State University Board of Governors in Kirksville, MO. Jim is also a member of the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, Illinois Funeral Directors Associaton,National Funeral Directors Association, past member of board of directors for the Hannibal YMCA, member of the Hannibal Park Board,member of the Hannibal Arts Council Board, member of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and Trust Company Advisory Board, past member of the board of directors for Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce, member of Early Bird Kiwanis, member of the Hannibal Elks Lodge #1198, member of the men's auxillary at the Hannibal Veterans of Foreign War #2446, member of Hannibal Knights of Columbus Council #907, and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Brad returns to the James O'Donnell Funeral Home as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Brad grew up and worked on the family farm North of Monroe City. He graduated from Monroe City High School in 1994 and started working at the James O'Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal while pursuing his Associate Degree in Mortuary Science from Kansas City Kansas Community College. He completed coursework from KCKCC in 1997 and is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.
After receiving his Associates Degree, he continued to work at the funeral home for many years learning under the leadership of the late James “Big Jim” O’Donnell. Brad began selling real estate with the CENTURY 21 Broughton Team and went on to start investing in real estate. He maintained his funeral director license and always remained active from time to time in funeral service. When presented with the opportunity to be involved with the James O’Donnell Life Celebration Home in his hometown of Monroe City and the James O’Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal, Brad jumped at the chance to return to his lifelong passion.
Brad is married to Jacki (Murphy) and they have three Children Keilynn (Trey), Thomas and Carley. They also have 2 grandchildren, Haven and River.
Kyle was born in Concordia KS. and is a 1992 graduate of Clifton-Clyde High School. He received his Bachelors degree from Kansas State University and is a graduate of Kansas City, Ks. Community College’s School of Mortuary Arts and Sciences.
Kyle and his wife Mary live in Hannibal. They enjoy traveling together and Kyle is an avid football fan.
Kyle and Mary have 5 children: Kermie Gail, Maya Jade, Caney Elizabeth, Rowdy Milton and Willow Aislinn Dee.
Corey L. King is a native of Hannibal, MO. He graduated from Hannibal Senior High School in 1988. In 2005, he received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Hannibal LaGrange College. He has served as a faithful Deacon and Trustee at Helping Hand Baptist Church located in Hannibal, MO, since 1995 under the leadership of Pastor Lindell Robbins. Corey is actively involved in his community and enjoys ministering the word of God.
He and his wife, Lisa King, have been married for eight years since May 2010 and reside in Hannibal, MO. They have four children, Jaykob King, and Mercedes King of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Hannibal, MO, and Chelisa Deere and Will Sewell IV of Hannibal, MO.
Don “Donnie” Runyon
Born in Burlington, Iowa, Don was a graduate of Mediapolis High School, Mediapolis, Iowa. After graduation, Don enlisted in the Air Force, serving from 1980-1986. He continued his military career in the Air National Guard until 1995 .He also graduated from Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa, and the University of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a degree in Mortuary of Science.
In 2017 Don was awarded Funeral Director of the Year by the Arizona Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Association, a state association of peers and business owners.
He and his wife Dee relocated to Hannibal in 2021 from Arizona to be closer to family. He has two children, Aaron (Becky) of Hannibal and Ryan (Stacey) of Franklin TN. and one grand-daughter, Katie Runyon.
Don is a member of the Emmette J. Shields American Legion Post #55.
Don values his professional experience and has a genuine passion to help those honor their loved ones.
Gregg was born, raised and began his funeral service career, in a small town in northeast Kansas. He graduated from High School and earned an Associate of Arts degree at the Highland Community Junior College in Highland, Kansas, He earned as Associate of Arts degree in Mortuary Science in 1981, at the Kansas City Kansas Community Junior College.
He is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church in Hannibal and serves on the ministerial staff, sings with the praise team, and is a youth pastor. He is president of the board of Marion County Services for the Developmentally Disabled, and serves as a chaplain both at the Hannibal Regional Hospital and the New London Fire Department. He has served on the Ralls County Flu Pandemic Committee for several years.
Gregg has a son, Tyler; two daughters, Morgan and Amelia; and three grandchildren. Somara, Rhoslyn, and Ethan.
Hunter Phillips joins the James O'Donnell Funeral Home as a Funeral Director Apprentice.
Hunter, a 2021 graduate of Southeastern High School in nearby Augusta, Illinois, is currently pursuing his degree in mortuary science at Des Moines Area Community College.
As a young man, Hunter took an interest in the funeral home industry because of his desire to help others in their time of need. He began assisting the O'Donnell Family of Funeral Homes in the Fall of 2020 while job shadowing for coursework.
A native of Bowen, Illinois, Hunter enjoys spending his free time being outside and tinkering around the family farm.
Born and raised in Monticello, Illinois.
Mark earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a minor in music at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois in 2000.
Mark is a member of Arch United Methodist Church in Hannibal, MO and has lived in Hannibal since 2008 with his family.
With his wife, Stacey, Mark enjoys singing with The Mark Twain Chorale. Mark and his wife have also had the honor of performing with the Hannibal LaGrange University Theater Department in recent spring Musicals.
A sports fan, Mark enjoys following baseball. Other interests include music, theater and watching and coaching his son (Calvin) in his various sports activities. Mark is a 3rd generation Eagle Scout.
A rural Hannibalian, John Freiling comes to us from Ralls County. John graduated from Hannibal High School in 1972, has an Associate of Arts Degree from Hannibal LaGrange College, further study at Missouri University, Columbia, Truman State University, Kirksville, and Concordia University River Forest IL.
He is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he serves as Vice President of the congregation and directs the Handbell Choir, and has served at Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Past Chairman of the Board of Elders. He has served as Vice President of Missouri University Extension for Ralls County and serves at a representative on the Northeast Missouri District University Extension Council, member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Missouri Funeral Directors Association, Board member of Miss Hannibal Pageant Board of Directors, Recently elected to the board of Marion County Services for the Developmentally Disabled, served many years on the Hannibal Concert Board, Affiliate Faculty for the American Heart Association, and a member of American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
John enjoys fishing, traveling, photography, stain glass, woodworking, gardening, composing handbell music, model railroading, computers, and building lighted Christmas displays.
John and his wife, Mary, have three children, September, Johnathon, and Justin, and three grandchildren, Gage, Anna, and Jaxson.
Terry J. Miller, a Hannibal native graduated from McCooey High School in 1966, has an Associate of Arts Degree from Hannibal-LaGrange College, and a Bachelor of Arts from Truman State University, and is a licensed Funeral Director. After 29 years of teaching at A.D. Stowell Elementary School, Terry retired in May of 2001.
He is a member of Holy Family Church, member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Missouri Funeral Directors Association, and retired member of Missouri State Teachers Association.
Terry and his wife Margaret, enjoy traveling, fishing, golf, and Nascar. They have one daughter, Michelle.
Since the age of 13 Chris Ledbetter has been playing piano and organ for weddings and funerals. She subbed for Anna May Chandler, (teacher and friend) when she was in high school and has been with the O’Donnell staff since Mrs. Chandler’s death in 1984. Chris graduated from Hannibal High School in 1974 and attended Hannibal-LaGrange College.
She is a member of Holy Family Church where she is in charge of music ministry at the church and Holy Family School. Chris is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the National Association of Letter Carriers Auxiliary #610.
Chris and her husband Gene have two wonderful children, Christina of Clearwater, Florida and Chad of Hannibal. Her hobbies include music, reading, playing cards, traveling, and most of all spending time with her family and friends.
Since 1999, Sheri Tate has been a part of the dedicated staff at James O’Donnell Funeral Home, Inc. She is a graduate of Hannibal High School Class of 1977. She worked under the direction of her parents in the family run business at the Pastry Box and now called Country Pastry for the past 35 years baking and decorating cakes.
She is a member of Holy Family Church. She likes gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family that includes her husband Bill, and two children, Krista and Jared. Her most enjoyable time is spent spoiling her grandchildren; Drew, Dawson, Lydia, Jaetyn and Traetyn.