OUR CARING STAFF

Chris began working in the funeral service industry when he was 17, during summers and holidays at Leppert Mortuary in Indianapolis. He is a graduate of Xavier University, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and has been in funeral service since 1992. He was employed by Leppert Mortuary for 12 years, leaving there in 2005 as the general manager. Chris enjoys the funeral service industry and serving the community in their time of need.

Chris, and his wife Mary Beth, purchased the funeral home from Diane and Shawn Gudat in February 2017. They also own Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory in Mooresville. They have two sons, Benjamin and Buddy, who are students at Cathedral High School and Roncalli High School, respectively.

In addition to the day-to-day operation of the funeral home, Chris stays busy in the community. He is a member of the Mooresville Kiwanis Club, the St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus, and the 4th Degree member of the Bishop Chatard Assembly Knights of Columbus. He serves on the Resurrection Garden Committee at SS. Francis & Clare Catholic Church. Chris is Chairman of the Board at Citizens Bank, which has branches in Morgan, Johnson, Marion, and Hendricks counties.

Chris enjoys traveling with his family and staying active with his Selected Independent Funeral Homes membership.

Mary Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and personality to O'Riley that is much appreciated by the families we are honored to serve. She primarily enjoys working visitations and assists with family follow-up after the service. Mary Beth spends much of her free time volunteering in the community. She serves on the Advisory Board of the United Way of Morgan County and recently finished a three-year term on the school commission at SS Francis & Clare Catholic School, where Ben & Buddy Branson were students. Her hobbies include working out, traveling, reading, and being a dedicated mom. Mary Beth is always available to assist our families in their time of need.

Tim Blessing was born in Greensburg and raised in Milan, Indiana, where his father was a funeral director for many years.  Tim graduated from Milan High School, Mid-America College of Funeral Service, and earned a BS degree in business administration from the University of Indianapolis in 1981.  Tim began working at O’Riley – Branson in January 2022.  Tim has two siblings, five nieces and nephews, and his all-time favorite dog, Midnight.  He has actively volunteered with Brooke’s Place Camp Healing Tree for more than 20 years and serves on their advisory board.  He is also engaged in the yearly Alzheimer’s Walk as a team captain.  In his free time, Tim enjoys spending time with family and friends and antiquing.

Christina Naughton was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan and grew up in Canton, Michigan, where she still enjoys lake time with her family.  A second career for Christina, she has worked in funeral service for 15 years and joined the Carlisle – Branson team in 2022.  Christina and her husband, Tim, have three children, Josh, J’Aimee, and Jordan, and grandchildren, Bea, Norah, and Gwen.  Christina enjoys tropical travel with her husband, spending time outdoors, activities with the “Grands”, and playing euchre with family and friends.  She is a Michigan Wolverines fan and loves to attend concerts and festivals. 

A native of the east side of Indianapolis, Janna and her husband, Jeff, have called the Southside home for over 25 years. Janna brings nearly three decades of Office Management, Visual Communications, and Customer Service experience in secular and church settings, and she loves to share a personal and creative touch with those she serves.  Outside the O'Riley office, Janna enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her family, especially her two grown daughters, Megan and Devan, and five grandchildren - Zoie, Laia, Phoenix, Luna, and Lily. Hobbies include mixed-media art, board games, photography, and a love for all things mid-century (mostly 60s/70s, but she does not discriminate). 

Wendy holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Associate Degree in Mortuary Science, Ministry Certification, Insight Celebrant Certification and numerous Service Excellence Awards. Wendy began her career as a funeral director and embalmer over 30 years ago. Over the last the last five years her concentration has been serving the Indianapolis area as a funeral celebrant. As your storyteller and/or minister, Wendy offers individualized ceremonies that honor and celebrate your loved ones life. She works closely with your family weaving together the different stories of one’s life to create an authentic funeral service that is unique to each person. Wendy resides in Fishers with her husband, two children, and  two dogs. She is a member of Fishers Grace Church. In her spare time, Wendy enjoys traveling with her family and friends and reading.

Shawn Gudat's career in funeral service began in the late 1970s. He carefully and attentively cared for the families that have been guided by O'Riley for years, and now enjoy a more semi-retired status. Shawn continues to work regularly by managing the care center and ensuring that the deceased individuals look their very best for services. Shawn's talents in this respect are exemplary. In his free time, he continues to run triathlons and marathons throughout the United States. Shawn and his wife, Diane, are enjoying a greater ability to travel stateside and internationally. He also greatly enjoys his role as a grandfather.

John Stirling, Jr., joined the O’Riley staff in 2021 as one of our dedicated funeral directors. John grew up in the funeral profession, honing his father John Sr., and grandfather Robert Stirling’s skills and dedication to serving families in their time of need. John decided to follow in their footsteps and joined them as a funeral director in the Stirling Funeral Home Family Business located in Fountain Square & Acton. In the late 1970s, the Stirlings decided it was time to sell to a family business. John Jr. took the opportunity to transform a personal hobby of baseball card collecting into a successful sports specialty shop, Johnny's Sports Nostalgia. In the late 90s, John was approached by Batesville Casket Company. His desire and servant’s heart found him accepting a position with Batesville as a sales representative. The scope of his territory took him over 150 funeral homes in southern Indiana guiding, assisting, and counseling funeral directors. For the last decade, John has been instrumental as a funeral director on the southside of Indianapolis and sincerely feels it is an honor to guide families through an important life event. Currently, John spends most of his free time with his six children and 17 grandchildren.

Greg is a licensed funeral director and general manager of Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, in Mooresville and O’Riley Branson Funeral Service in Indianapolis. He has served the Central Indiana community for over 25 years.

He grew up on the north side of Indianapolis and is a graduate of North Central High School and Vincennes University. He also holds an executive certificate in Leadership & Management from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business and is designated as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

Greg has held several civic and professional leadership positions during his career including Past President of the Marion County Funeral Director’s Association, Hendricks County Shrine Club, Indianapolis High Twelve #722, as well as being the current District 7 Director of the Indiana Funeral Director’s Association as well as serving as a board member of Vincennes University’s Funeral Service Education Program.

His memberships include the Mooresville Masonic Lodge #78, Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine, and Hendricks County Shrine Club and is a lifetime member of the Vincennes University Alumni Association, the National Rifle Association, and an Isaac Ball Fellow with the Indiana Funeral Education Foundation.

Greg and his wife, Codie, reside in Plainfield. They are the proud parents of Jacob and Bethanie and the grandparents of Kenslie.

In his spare time, Greg enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, listening to music, watching movies, playing trivia, fishing, playing basketball, and watching sports, especially IU Basketball, Notre Dame Football, Chicago Blackhawks hockey, dirt track, and Indy Car racing.

Jim Milharcic began as a service assistant in 2018 at both O’Riley Funeral Home and Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. Before joining the funeral home, Jim was a delivery driver for 30 years with Emery Air Freight and 10 years with BMWC Constructors. He graduated from Cathedral High School and received an associate degree in industrial management from Ivy Tech Community College. Jim resides in Indianapolis with his wife of more than 50 years, Joan. They have three children and five grandchildren. Jim is a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

Steve Miller joined the staff at both Carlisle-Branson and O’Riley as a service assistant in 2019. Steve loves interacting with people, sharing kind words of encouragement, and providing a compassionate listening ear. Steve graduated from Jennings County High School and spent most of his career in the shoe industry. He later received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from IUPUI in 2006. He worked for 10 years in education, mostly with special needs students, before joining the funeral home staff. Steve currently resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Kim. They have one son. Steve attends Southwest Church of the Nazarene, where he teaches Sunday School, serves as a board member, and volunteers at the food pantry. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and antiquing.

Finn was born on September 21, 2022, at Shaw Springs Doodle Farm in

Columbus, Ohio. He came to Indianapolis on December 30, 2022, and has been

our O’Riley-Branson four-legged teammate ever since, heading to work every

day. Finn displays a loving & gentle nature and enjoys people. Since joining our

team, Finn has had a very positive impact on our families with his friendly

personality and ability to recognize who may need a little extra support.

In the evening Finn goes home and spends the evenings with his 2 brothers Titan

& Tucker.