Our Staff

Michael "Junior" Burke

Owner/President

Junior grew up in Waterloo, Illinois, and graduated from Waterloo High School. He attended SIU-Carbondale (at VTI), graduating in 198 with a Bachelor of Science and MBA. Junior joined Riggin-Pillatsch Funeral Home in 1982, as an intern for Craig Pillatsch. After he completed his apprenticeship, Junior was hired full time and served in that capacity until 2003, when he purchased the funeral home from Craig & JoAnn (Fields) Pillatsch.

Junior married his wife, Lori, in November of 1991. They reside at the funeral home and have two sons, Christopher and Jackson.

Junior is active in the community, serving on various boards, including the Williamson County Department on Aging, the SIUC Mortuary Science Advisory Board and the Carterville Schools Foundation Board. He is also a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors' Association, Egyptian Funeral Directors' Association, Williamson County Masonic Lodge #802, Crab Orchard Golf Club, and a member of First Baptist Church in Carterville.

When Junior isn't working, he can be found playing golf. He is a huge Arkansas Razorbacks and St. Louis Cardinals fan. 

Tiffany M. Holmes Etherton

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Licensed Insurance Provider, Notary Public

Tiffany grew up in the rural farm communities of Evansville and Red Bud, Illinois. She graduated in 2003, from Red Bud Community High School. In 2006, Tiffany received her Associate's Degree in Science from Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), in Belleville, Illinois. She then graduated in 2008 from SIU-Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science, specializing in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service.

Tiffany began working at the funeral home in the fall of 2007 and finished her apprenticeship in July of 2009.

She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Illinois, Notary Public for Williamson County and most recently a licensed Insurance Producer.

Tiffany is a Past President and current Secretary of the Egyptian Funeral Directors Association and serves on the Christmas in Carterville Committee.

She is dedicated to serving families and honoring the lives of loved ones.

Tiffany is recently married to her husband, Rob. They live in Carterville with their dog, Millie. 

Lin Crisco

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Licensed Crematory Operator

Lin is a Carterville native and a 1979 graduate of Carterville High School. After spending a few years away, Lin returned to Carterville to complete her education and pursue her true calling; helping others honor their loved ones.

In 2014, Lin received her Associate's Degree in Art, from John A. Logan (JALC), in Carterville, Illinois.  Lin graduated in May 2017 from SIU-Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science, specializing in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service.

Lin completed her apprenticeship with us and became fully licensed in 2019. She has been a great asset to the RPBFH family.

She is a member of the Carterville American Legion Auxiliary and the Egyptian Funeral Directors' Association. Lin is married to her husband, Charles, and they have two dogs, Gracie and Butters.