Bryan New
Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer
For nearly 40 years, Monterey native and New Funeral Homes Owner Bryan New has dedicated his life to the families of Owen County during their most trying times.
New joined the staff of McDonald Funeral Homes in 1987 under the tutelage of Tommy McDonald. He became a licensed funeral director/embalmer following graduation from the Mid-America College of Funeral Service. Upon McDonald's retirement in 2002, New became a co-owner of the business, which changed its name to McDonald & New Funeral Homes. In 2022, he became the sole owner.
Having been in the funeral business for the entirety of his adult life, New's commitment to the community he serves has helped secure the trust of families throughout the area."This is my life's calling, to be a servant to the community and do the best I can for them in their time of need," New said. "When you are in a small town, you try to help everyone because a small town is like family. In this atmosphere, it's imperative to give your best and do your best under any circumstances."In addition to owning New Funeral Homes, New is a co-owner/operator of Garnett-New Funeral Home in Warsaw and Graham-Dunn Funeral Home in Carrollton, serves as Deputy Coroner in Owen County, maintains the Monterey Cemetery, and serves as Trustee of the Owenton I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
He is married to Joyce Cammack New and is the father of four sons: Colton, Bradon, Haze, and Drift. He is the son of Barbara and the late David New. When not at the funeral home, he enjoys fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
Bryan New
Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer
For nearly 40 years, Monterey native and New Funeral Homes Owner Bryan New has dedicated his life to the families of Owen County during their most trying times.
New joined the staff of McDonald Funeral Homes in 1987 under the tutelage of Tommy McDonald. He became a licensed funeral director/embalmer following graduation from the Mid-America College of Funeral Service. Upon McDonald's retirement in 2002, New became a co-owner of the business, which changed its name to McDonald & New Funeral Homes. In 2022, he became the sole owner.
Having been in the funeral business for the entirety of his adult life, New's commitment to the community he serves has helped secure the trust of families throughout the area."This is my life's calling, to be a servant to the community and do the best I can for them in their time of need," New said. "When you are in a small town, you try to help everyone because a small town is like family. In this atmosphere, it's imperative to give your best and do your best under any circumstances."In addition to owning New Funeral Homes, New is a co-owner/operator of Garnett-New Funeral Home in Warsaw and Graham-Dunn Funeral Home in Carrollton, serves as Deputy Coroner in Owen County, maintains the Monterey Cemetery, and serves as Trustee of the Owenton I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
He is married to Joyce Cammack New and is the father of four sons: Colton, Bradon, Haze, and Drift. He is the son of Barbara and the late David New. When not at the funeral home, he enjoys fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer Duncan
Funeral Director/Embalmer
With bereavement services in her blood and a passion for serving others, Lusby's Mill native Jennifer Duncan joined McDonald & New Funeral Homes in 2003 as a licensed funeral director/embalmer.
A relative of the former owners of Rogers Funeral Home in Corinth, Duncan shadowed the funeral director there during her senior year at Owen County High School. The experience led her to attend mortuary school immediately following graduation from OCHS.
A Mid-America College of Funeral Service graduate, she continued her education at Kentucky State University. She is a Certified Bereavement Facilitator.
"To me, there is nothing more rewarding than to be able to help in a time of need, to use my skill set to ease someone's burden, and to plan a meaningful tribute to someone they love," Duncan says. "It's also important to me to give back to the community that trusts us with their loved ones and to leave things better than you found them."
Duncan resides in Owenton with her longtime partner Mark McChesney. She is the mother of one son, Grant (Candace) Smith, and the daughter of the late David Duncan. She is actively involved in many community organizations, including the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, Owen County Tourism Commission, Downtown Owenton Revival, and the Wide Open No Fear Rodeo. When not at the funeral home, she enjoys trips to Key West, Florida, road trips, and adventures with family and friends.
Jennifer Duncan
Funeral Director/Embalmer
With bereavement services in her blood and a passion for serving others, Lusby's Mill native Jennifer Duncan joined McDonald & New Funeral Homes in 2003 as a licensed funeral director/embalmer.
A relative of the former owners of Rogers Funeral Home in Corinth, Duncan shadowed the funeral director there during her senior year at Owen County High School. The experience led her to attend mortuary school immediately following graduation from OCHS.
A Mid-America College of Funeral Service graduate, she continued her education at Kentucky State University. She is a Certified Bereavement Facilitator.
"To me, there is nothing more rewarding than to be able to help in a time of need, to use my skill set to ease someone's burden, and to plan a meaningful tribute to someone they love," Duncan says. "It's also important to me to give back to the community that trusts us with their loved ones and to leave things better than you found them."
Duncan resides in Owenton with her longtime partner Mark McChesney. She is the mother of one son, Grant (Candace) Smith, and the daughter of the late David Duncan. She is actively involved in many community organizations, including the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, Owen County Tourism Commission, Downtown Owenton Revival, and the Wide Open No Fear Rodeo. When not at the funeral home, she enjoys trips to Key West, Florida, road trips, and adventures with family and friends.
Mark Garnett
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Owen County native Mark Garnett knew from an early age that he wanted to be a funeral director. He achieved his dream in 2001 when he joined what was then known as McDonald Funeral Homes.
Garnett is a graduate of the Mid-America College of Funeral Service. In addition to his work with New Funeral Homes, he is a co-owner/operator of Garnett-New Funeral Home in Warsaw and Graham-Dunn Funeral Home in Carrollton. He has served as Owen County Coroner since 2016 and previously served as a deputy coroner.
"It means everything to me to serve the people of Owen County," Mark says. "Helping others is the best thing about the business. I've made some of the best friends of my life from taking care of their families."
Garnett and his wife, Stephanie Ellis Garnett, share five children: Jade, Emerald, Sage, Stone, and Steel. He is the son of the late Spider and Mary Ola Miller Garnett. Garnett enjoys attending Cincinnati Bengals football games and traveling with his family when not at the funeral home.
Mark Garnett
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Owen County native Mark Garnett knew from an early age that he wanted to be a funeral director. He achieved his dream in 2001 when he joined what was then known as McDonald Funeral Homes.
Garnett is a graduate of the Mid-America College of Funeral Service. In addition to his work with New Funeral Homes, he is a co-owner/operator of Garnett-New Funeral Home in Warsaw and Graham-Dunn Funeral Home in Carrollton. He has served as Owen County Coroner since 2016 and previously served as a deputy coroner.
"It means everything to me to serve the people of Owen County," Mark says. "Helping others is the best thing about the business. I've made some of the best friends of my life from taking care of their families."
Garnett and his wife, Stephanie Ellis Garnett, share five children: Jade, Emerald, Sage, Stone, and Steel. He is the son of the late Spider and Mary Ola Miller Garnett. Garnett enjoys attending Cincinnati Bengals football games and traveling with his family when not at the funeral home.
Gail Heightchew
Bookkeeper/Funeral Assistant
An Owen County native and Kentucky state government retiree, Gail Arnold Heightchew joined McDonald & New Funeral Homes in 2020 as a bookkeeper/funeral assistant.
She is married to Wayne Heightchew, is a "Bonus Mom" to Jennifer, Michelle, and Steven, and "DeDe" to Grant, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Jacob.
When not at the funeral home, Heightchew loves quiet reading time but can be ready for an adventure in 15 minutes!
Gail Heightchew
Bookkeeper/Funeral Assistant
An Owen County native and Kentucky state government retiree, Gail Arnold Heightchew joined McDonald & New Funeral Homes in 2020 as a bookkeeper/funeral assistant.
She is married to Wayne Heightchew, is a "Bonus Mom" to Jennifer, Michelle, and Steven, and "DeDe" to Grant, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Jacob.
When not at the funeral home, Heightchew loves quiet reading time but can be ready for an adventure in 15 minutes!
Jeremy Warren
Funeral Assistant
A native of Frankfort, Funeral Assistant Jeremy Warren joined McDonald & New Funeral Homes in 2020. The pastor at Monterey Baptist Church, Warren's ministry work spans the past 30 years.
"I come from a family who always served their community as firefighters and workers in the church, taking care of others as if they were family and doing so with joy," Warren says. "Seeing how happy that service made them inspired me to follow suit and obtain that same kind of joy."
He and his wife, Jennifer Moore Warren, share four children: Shelby, Taylor, Mallorie, and Immersion, and they have one grandson, Elliott. Warren enjoys playing the drums and rooting for the University of Louisville Cardinals when not at the funeral home.
Jeremy Warren
Funeral Assistant
A native of Frankfort, Funeral Assistant Jeremy Warren joined McDonald & New Funeral Homes in 2020. The pastor at Monterey Baptist Church, Warren's ministry work spans the past 30 years.
"I come from a family who always served their community as firefighters and workers in the church, taking care of others as if they were family and doing so with joy," Warren says. "Seeing how happy that service made them inspired me to follow suit and obtain that same kind of joy."
He and his wife, Jennifer Moore Warren, share four children: Shelby, Taylor, Mallorie, and Immersion, and they have one grandson, Elliott. Warren enjoys playing the drums and rooting for the University of Louisville Cardinals when not at the funeral home.
