Who We Are
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
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When we sit down with a family, our primary goal is to help create a fitting, memorable and affordable service, one that creates the opportunity for the survivors to tell their loved one’s story. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions to help the family begin their healing.
Together, we'll design a funeral or memorial service that suits their needs. Families who come to us know that years from now they will have deep peace-of-mind, because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Meet the Funeral Directors
Brian D. Wakeman, Owner / Manager / President / Funeral Director
Educational / Professional Credentials
* Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Michigan.
* 1981 Graduate of Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, Detroit, Michigan and served as class Vice President.
* Certified Eye Enucleator from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
* Holds Limited Life Insurance License from the Basic Life and Health Insurance Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
* Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, Westerville, Ohio.
* National Certified Bereavement Facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement, Buffalo, New York.
* Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District 7.
* Served on Public Relations Committee for the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
Community Activities / Recognitions
* Member and Former Elder at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Michigan.
* Past President of Holy Cross Lutheran School PTO.
* Member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
* 20- and 30-year basketball official Honoree from the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
* Member of the Saginaw Athletic Officials Association #27.
* Former Basketball Officials Trainer for the Saginaw Athletic Officials Association #27.
* Life Member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.
Rodney C. Wakeman, Owner / Vice President / Funeral Director
Educational / Professional Credentials
* Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Michigan.
* 1988 Graduate of Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, Detroit, Michigan.
* Board Certified from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Huntsville, Arkansas.
* Holds Limited Life Insurance License from the Basic Life and Health Insurance Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
* Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, Westerville, Ohio.
* National Certified Bereavement Facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement, Buffalo, New York.
* District Director and Board Member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District 7.
* Past Member of the Public Relations Committee of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Past Member of the Disaster Committee of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Past Member of the Legislative Committee of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
Community Activities / Recognitions
* Member and Elder at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Michigan.
* President of the Valley Lutheran High School Foundation.
* Former Chairman of the Valley Lutheran High School Alumni Association Scholarship Committee.
* 12-year volunteer Honoree as Sports Public Address Announcer for Valley Lutheran High School, Saginaw, Michigan.
* Member and Past President of the Saginaw Downtown Lions Club.
* First Recipient of the Lorenz A. Loos Lion of the Year Memorial Award from the Saginaw Downtown Lions Club.
* Contributing Photographer for the Township Times community newspaper, Saginaw.
* Life Member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.
Harold C. Wakeman
In Loving Memory
December 25, 1933
March 17, 2008
Educational / Professional Credentials
* Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Michigan from 1955-2008.
* 1955 Graduate of the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
* Board Certified from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Huntsville, Arkansas.
* Originally employed by Richard F. Gugel, Sr. at the Gugel Funeral Home from 1957-1965.
* Purchased the Gugel Funeral Home in 1965, renaming the business Gugel-Wakeman Funeral Home.
* Member of first group of non-medical students certified as Eye Enucleator through the Michigan Eye Bank.
* Certified Eye Enucleator from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
* Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District 12.
* 40- and 50-year Honoree as Funeral Service Licensee in the State of Michigan awarded by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Owner of the Corporation from 1965-1998.
Community Activities / Recognitions
* Named Scholarship through the Valley Lutheran High School Foundation -- The Harold C. Wakeman Memorial Scholarship Fund.
* Past member of several boards at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saginaw.
* United States Army Veteran, served as Sergeant, 1955-1961.
* Saginaw County Coroner from 1969-1973.
* Proclamation recipient from the Michigan State Legislature for service as Saginaw County Coroner.
* Recipient of the distinguished Who's Who of Michigan award.
* Founding member of the original Saginaw County Drug Board.
* Past Instructor for Saginaw County’s original Hospice group.
* Past President of the former Saginaw West Side Lions Club.
* Past President of the Valley Lutheran High School Booster Club.
* Member of Arthur Hill Letterwinner's Association.
* Life Member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.
