06/08/2026

Meet the Candidates for the WSFDA Board

Meet the Candidates

The Washington State Funeral Directors Association is pleased to introduce the dedicated professionals who have stepped forward, at this point, as candidates for the upcoming WSFDA Board of Directors election.

These individuals represent  experience, leadership, and commitment to the death care profession. Each candidate has generously volunteered their time and talents in service to our association and the families, funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, and death care professionals throughout Washington State.

We encourage all members to take a moment to review each candidate's biography and learn more about their background, professional accomplishments, and vision for the future of WSFDA. Your vote plays an important role in shaping the leadership of our association and ensuring we continue to advance, advocate for, and support the death care profession across our state.

We thank each candidate for their willingness to serve and invite you to cast your vote when voting opens.

Keith Twibell, second generation Funeral Director and Embalmer with over 45 years of experience and I am asking for your vote for the Board of WSFDA.   I started out at the age of 15, answering phones in the evening, washing cars and cleaning toilets…come to think of it, that was todays chores too.  I own and operate Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA with my wife Heather.  I’ve worked at Mills & Mills Funeral Directors in Olympia for many years, from the age of 15, I apprenticed Lois Sticklin at Sticklin Mortuary in Centralia, WA., and later for my father, Doug Twibell.  I also worked for David Fuller at Hamilton Mylan Funeral Home in Vancouver, WA while attending Mt. Hood Community College where I graduated in 1996 with my Associate of Funeral Education degree.

Keith Twibell

I’ve seen many changes in the industry, from implementation of the Funeral Rule, AIDS and the introduction of PPE’s in the workplace, the rise of Corporations and the increase of cremation as the preferred form of disposition.  And yet, it is us, the Funeral Director and Embalmer that has endeavored through these changes with an association that sought to keep us informed and to enlightened us to the changes ahead.   WSFDA gives us the ability to connect and come together with other directors from across this state that are going through the same challenges that we are facing.  Together we can overcome and make our profession better and maybe, more fun.   Please Vote for me, Thank you, Keith Twibell

Joe McFadden

My name is Joe McFadden. I am a funeral director with Mueller’s Funeral Homes in Tri-Cities, Washington.  I started my journey with Mueller’s in 2014 as part of the grounds crew, helping to maintain Desert Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.  I worked my way into operating the backhoe so that I could assist in the opening and closing of graves and the placement of the grave liners.  As time went on, I took on more responsibilities, such as running our local pet crematory.  I enjoyed working with the families to ensure everything was done with the utmost compassion and respect.  Families were noticing too and providing positive feedback to not only me but my employers, which only strengthened my commitment. One of my bosses, Amy Coffman, offered me the opportunity to expand my knowledge in death care and create a more direct impact on the families we serve by becoming a funeral director and embalmer. So, in 2018, I attended Mortuary Science school at Dallas Institute and started my internship as a funeral director and embalmer.  I became fully licensed in 2022.  To this day, I remain devoted to assisting families in their time of need with compassion, understanding and kindness.