WHITEHURST FUNERAL - Key Persons
Anthony (Tony) Whitehurst, an owner and Vice President of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc., was born and raised in Los Banos. After graduating from Los Banos High School in 1968 he received his Bachelors Degree from the University of California, Davis, and his Masters Degree in Science from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
Since returning home in 1973, Tony has been very active in the Chapel, community service and local government. He is a 45 year member of both the Los Banos Rotary Club (currently a board member) and the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce (currently Vice President). He's also an active 31 year member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Oddfellows Mount Brow Lodge #58 and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Merced County Board of Supervisors from 1986 through 1990 representing the 5th District.
Elvia Barrios relocated to Dos Palos, CA from Ventura, CA in 2005 after she married. She began working for Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc. in October the same year. She is originally from Zacatecas, Mexico. Elvia is bi-lingual and has proven herself valuable to Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc. Although Elvia came to us with no experience in the death care industry. Her usual compassionate and organized nature aided her in embracing the industry and she rapidly learned the operations. Employed as an Administrative Assistant, In April 2012, Elvia attended the "Law Review and Arrangement Counselor Training Seminar" in Sacramento and is qualified as a Funeral Arrangement Counselor. She also trained and is fully competent with the Electronic Death Registration System.
Elvia is married, has one child and resides Los Banos, CA. Family is important to Elvia. When not working she enjoys time spent with her husband, son, siblings and extended family.
Floyd J. Lozada, Jr. has been with Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc. since 2011. Floyd is a minister and part of our removal personnel staff. He was born a raised in Modesto, CA. He married his high school sweetheart Rosie in 1995. Floyd is currently the Senior Pastor of West Valley Revival Center in Gustine, CA. He has been a pastor for over a decade. Floyd is an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland A's. He enjoys attending baseball games with his family. He and his wife have three wonderful children.
Joe Garcia has been with Whitehurst Funeral chapels, Inc since 2019. He is married with four children.
Maria E. Lopez has been with Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc. since 2002. She began working in the Firebaugh office as a part time receptionist and gradually began assisting as a translator and assisting on services. While translating, Maria began to grasp the arrangement counselor duties and prepared for the position that she now holds by attending the Law Review and Arrangement Counselor Training Seminar in 2005. She is now a capable Arrangement Counselor, serving families of all nationalities and faiths.
Maria's goal is to treat all families with as much concern and attention to detail as possible; and therefore, strives to comfort families as friends.
Maria resides in Firebaugh with her three children and three grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Arrangement Counselor
Job Titles:
- Certified Grief Counselor
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer - Owner
Joel Whitehurst, III, is a third generation funeral director. He is President and owner of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc.
Joel was born and reared in Los Banos where he graduated from Los Banos High School. He received his Bachelors Degree in Business from Santa Clara University. He graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. Joel is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He manages the day to day operations of our Los Banos Branch. He is a member and supporter of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and is a US Navy veteran and a licensed pilot.
Joel resides in Los Banos. He has two adult children and one grandson. When not working, he enjoys flying, gardening, working out at the gym and doting on his grandchild.
Joel can be reached at our Los Banos Branch (209) 826-4242.
Joel A. Whitehurst, Founder Born in San Jose, Mr. Joel A. Whitehurst entered the funeral business in 1911. Together with his wife Anne, purchased a partnership in the Stockton and Ives Funeral Chapel in Los Banos in 1921. Interestingly, along with funerals, they also operated the local ambulance service. Mrs. Anne Whitehurst practiced as a home nurse and midwife and Mr. Joel Whitehurst drove the only school bus in town, he also did some carpentry jobs to make ends meet.The Whitehurst Family soon bought out Mr. Ives and operated the little funeral home in downtown Los Banos until 1941, when the business was taken over by their son, Joel Whitehurst, II. After serving in the Air Force during World War II, Joel II and his brother Bill expanded the business to include Dos Palos and Firebaugh.In 1967 the Los Banos Chapel moved to a beautiful new building on Center Avenue across from the Cemetery. In 1975 a brand new building was built in Dos Palos. Joel II passed away in 2002 and the business went to his sons, Joel III, Al and Tony.Joel A Whitehurst III, currently manages the Los Banos, Dos Palos and Firebaugh branchesTimes have changed but the motto is still the same. "Treat each family as if they were our own, with dignity and respect".
Job Titles:
- Accounting Administrator
- Employee of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc
Sandra Terranova has been a valuable employee of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Inc. since October 1999. Sandra was hired as a bookkeeper. She spent most of her childhood in Los Banos, but lived in Colorado for a while before returning to Los Banos in 1994. She earned her Associates Degree in 1998. She received her Life Agent License from the State of California in 2002. She completed the Law Review and Arrangement Counselor Training Seminar in 2005 to qualify to make funeral arrangements.