ALLEN MORTUARY - Key Persons
Alison is Michael's wife and first joined the Allen family in 2003 when they married, and now works as part of the Allen Mortuary family.
She helps in all areas of the business working on a managerial and administrative level, and also assists families during their difficult time. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree from California State University, Stanislaus and is a licensed Funeral Director.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Manager
- Assistant Manager Read More
- Member of Turlock First United Methodist Church
Born and raised in Turlock, Ben began his funeral service career at Allen Mortuary in 1994 and trained alongside our founder William Allen. He received his degree in mortuary science at Mt. Hood College in Gresham, OR and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with over 25 years of experience. Ben is past president of the Valley Lode Funeral Director's Association and has served on the board of the California Funeral Director's Association.
Ben is a longtime member of Turlock First United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth and Shriners. Locally, Ben serves on the board for Denair Cemetery Association, McHenry Museum & Historical Society.
Betty Jane (Coburn) Hersh was born in August 1923 in West Virginia. She was the third child of Paul and Flossie Coburn. She had five siblings; Bil, Bob, Bonnie, Jim and Jack. The family moved to Boise, ldaho when Betty was young.
After High School, Betty worked at Gowen Field, where she met her husband, Robert (Bob) Hersh, a pilot in the Air Force. They were married in Oklahoma City. Betty and Bob moved to California to attend seminary in Berkeley. They served as Pastor of The First Baptist Churches in Chowchilla and Turlock until Bob retired. They were married 51 years.
Betty began working for the University of California, Stanislaus when they moved to Turlock and retired after 30 years as secretary to the Vice President. She became a devoted grandmother to her 4 grandchildren, enriching their lives with games and activities and a love for Jesus.
Betty celebrated her 100th birthday in August and is survived by her daughter, Catherine Steinhauer, and son, Robert Hersh, Jr; 4 grandchildren, Casey Steinhauer, and Justin, Phillip, and Brittany Hersh; 4 great-grandchildren, Savannah and Nathanael Steinhauer, and Rachel and Simon Hersh. She will be lovingly remembered for her generosity, devotion to her family and her love for Jesus Christ.
She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Turlock Memorial Park. Charitable Donations may be made to Awana Clubs in her memory.
Job Titles:
- Advance Planning Specialist / Receptionist
- Advance Planning Specialist / Receptionist Read More
Also employed by Precoa (The PreNeed Company of America), Holly represents Allen Mortuary and meets with families on- and off-site to arrange final expense life insurance and any preplanning needs. She has been representing us since 2013 and is entirely familiar with all operations and can answer any possible questions you might have.
Job Titles:
- Crematory Manager
- Crematory Manager Read More
Jacob started working for Allen Mortuary on a part-time, on-call schedule assisting with driving and services. After graduating from California State University, Stanislaus with a B.S. in Anthropology, he started working daily in the office, learning all aspects of the funeral industry. His calm demeanor and professional manner is always appreciated by the Allen family, office staff and the families he comes in contact with. In August of 2016 Jacob assumed the additional duties of crematory operations, and in 2020 became Crematory Manager.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director
- Funeral Director Read More
James Gehrke is originally from Michigan and made California his home in 2006. He has a BS in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible College. James and his wife Erin have four kids who keep them on their toes daily. James has worked at Allen Mortuary for the past 10 years helping as a funeral counselor, helping with services, and performing services for families in need. James loves to be available to help our families and enjoys hearing the stories of their loved ones. He trains in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys spending time with his family at the beach and playing games.
Job Titles:
- Systems Analyst
- Systems Analyst Read More
As a member of the Allen family and with extensive experience in her field, Laurie is a true asset to Allen Mortuary. She works behind the scenes in administration, accounting, HR/payroll, software and systems support. Her smile and friendly personality are always a welcome sight in the office. Laurie graduated from California State University, Sacramento and Drexel University (Philadelphia) and holds an M.S. Degree in Business Information Systems.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director
- Funeral Director Read More
Matthew was born and raised in Tracy, attended Modesto Jr. College, and has a B.S. from UC Santa Cruz. He initially started part-time working memorial services and doing removals for our families in 2019. Matthew transitioned to a full-time employee in 2021 and received his Funeral Director's License in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director
- Preparation Room Manager
- Preparation Room Manager Read More
In 2016 we were fortunate to find Melody, a licensed funeral director and embalmer with over 30 years of experience in the funeral industry. She is a graduate of Cypress College of Mortuary Science in southern California. Melody meets with families at need to arrange funeral services and strongly feels that she has been called to this profession. Her eye for details is an asset when preparing and presenting our clients for viewing and services. Melody's personal motto is "I never give less than my best."
Job Titles:
- President
- President Read More
Michael Allen began working side-by-side with Grandfather "Bill" Allen - the Founder of Allen Mortuary - several decades ago. He learned first-hand what it takes to make a family-owned business successful. With training very much rooted in his grandfather's traditions, Michael's approach to caring for families, and his personal leadership style, continue the Allen Family traditions today and into the future.
Through his accomplishments and management of Allen Mortuary, Michael has earned an impressive reputation as a kindhearted executive. A compassionate businessman with a family-centered philosophy, Michael is committed to serving the community just as his grandfather did for more than five decades. Michael is a certified Funeral Counselor.
Job Titles:
- Crematory Assistant
- Crematory Assistant Read More
In 2023, Morgan chose to work at Allen Mortuary because of our long history of personalized, family-oriented service to the community. She came to us with prior experience in crematory operations and security. Born in Modesto and raised in Turlock, Morgan is a twin and the oldest of four siblings. Married to her husband for two years, they are parents to a handsome fur baby, a Maltipoo named Scout, who keeps them both on their toes.
Ray was a member of the Davis Park Church of Christ in Modesto as well as a member of the Mariposa Church of Christ during the time that they lived there.