Our Team

Jaron J. Chasca

General Manager & Licensed Funeral Director

Jaron J. Chasca, a licensed second-generation funeral director and active General Manager with Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services, has over 25 years of experience in the funeral profession. 

Jaron began his career as a Funeral Attendant in Calgary, Alberta. He then moved to Cranbrook, B.C. to work in his family’s funeral home and complete his apprenticeship. After completing a two-year apprenticeship, Jaron received his Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Trade Qualification for Funeral Directing and Embalming and is licensed in the Province of British Columbia.  

After this, Jaron moved back to Calgary where he was the Sales Manager with the City of Calgary cemeteries for three years. Jaron then started the first pet crematorium and funeral service in Western Canada.  During this time back in Calgary, Jaron also completed his Marketing and Entrepreneur diploma from Mount Royal College.

Now, Jaron has re-joined the family business with Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services in Vernon, Armstrong and Lake Country. He is excited to bring his knowledge, experience and especially his passion for serving bereaved families to the Okanagan. 

Wayne Kyle

Licensed Funeral Director

Wayne, one of our dedicated funeral directors, brings a wealth of experience and compassion to Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services. With a career spanning several decades, Wayne began his journey in funeral service in Brandon, Manitoba before relocating to British Columbia in 1972. A year later, he found his home in Vernon.

In 1977, Wayne, a passionate advocate for serving families during their most challenging times, acquired a funeral home in Armstrong. For 13 years, he operated the funeral home, nurturing relationships with the community.

In 2003, Wayne established Personal Alternative Funeral Services, serving the communities of Vernon and Armstrong. With an unwavering commitment to personalized care and support, Wayne has guided countless families through their grieving process.

Wayne takes great pride in his son Ryan and daughter Melanie. Outside of his dedicated work, Wayne actively participates in community events, enjoys the water, mountain biking, hiking and skiing.

James Chapman

Community Care & Advanced Planning Services

James became a member of the clergy in 1987 serving two parishes in rural Saskatchewan. From time to time he would be requested by a grieving family to accompany them to the funeral home in their time of loss. It was there James witnessed first-hand the stress they faced having to make many immediate decisions regarding the deceased final arrangements. Financial responsibilities only added to the burden.

On one occasion, however, the funeral director sat down with the gathered family and carefully opened a file he had placed in front of them. Inside, were all the necessary documents, a signed detailed funeral arrangement, and a receipt indicating that all expenses had been paid. As you can imagine, the atmosphere in the room changed dramatically. That event produced a lasting impression on James, eventually leading him into what he does at present - assisting families to organize their final wishes in advance. It is a service he especially feels passionate about having recently beat the cancer bug twice.

He is now very pleased to be serving you in the greater Vernon and Armstrong areas with Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services.

Kim Nobert

Manager & Licensed Funeral Director

Kim was born and raised in Kamloops and after 39 years found her calling as a licensed funeral director. She has attributed her life's lessons to reaching both her personal and professional goals.

In 2011, Kim embarked on her funeral director apprenticeship. Her dedication and passion led her to graduate from Mortuary School in 2013, where she proudly stood as the valedictorian of her class.

Recognizing her skills and commitment, Kim was appointed as the Manager of Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services' Kamloops location in August 2014, where she continues to provide compassionate support to families during their most difficult moments.

Kim Ingenthron

Licensed Funeral Director

Kim embarked on his journey in the funeral profession in 1976 at Royal Oak Funeral Home in Burnaby, BC. With a thirst for knowledge and a passion for serving others, he gained extensive experience and honed his craft by working with several Funeral Homes throughout the Lower Mainland.

In pursuit of new horizons, Kim and his wife, Terena, eventually found their home on the serene Vancouver Island. For 16 years, Kim lent his expertise and compassion to the team at First Memorial Funeral Services Nanaimo, creating meaningful experiences for families in their time of need.

Kim and Terena later settled in the beautiful town of Salmon Arm, BC. In December 2017, armed with an impressive 44 years of experience, Kim joined Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services in Armstrong, BC.

With his wealth of knowledge and dedication, Kim continues to bring support to families during their most difficult moments. His unwavering commitment to providing compassionate care is a testament to his remarkable career.

Geoffrey Tompkins

Licensed Funeral Director

Joining Cypress in June 2014, Geoffrey's commitment to providing compassionate care has touched the lives of many.

Geoffrey has over a decade’s worth of experience in Funeral Service and has been a licensed funeral director since 2014. Armed with extensive knowledge and a deep understanding of the importance of his role, he is well-equipped to guide families through their grieving process.

Geoffrey has been an integral part of the Kamloops community for over 15 years, forming deep connections and building trust within the region. His passion for serving others is a testament to his genuine commitment to the well-being of those he assists.

Deanna Shioshvili

Administrator

Deanna was born and raised in Vernon. After completing her education with a focus on science-based programs at the University of Victoria and BCIT, Deanna realized her passion for assisting others in a different capacity. She redirected her career path and successfully completed the Administrative Assistant program at Okanagan College.

In late 2016, Deanna joined the Cypress team, bringing her enthusiasm and dedication to every interaction. She considers herself fortunate to have found a career that genuinely excites her, as she wholeheartedly believes in making difficult times more bearable for those she assists. Deanna's compassionate nature and organizational skills help ease the burdens families face during their grieving process.

When she's not at work, Deanna finds joy in the outdoors and lives an active lifestyle in the Okanagan.

Ron La Rose

Licensed Funeral Director

Meet Ron, a compassionate and experienced Licensed Funeral Director with deep roots in Vernon and the surrounding areas. With many years of dedicated service under his belt, Ron has become an integral part of the community, offering unwavering support to families during their most challenging times.

Ron's passion for funeral service runs deep, and he approaches his role with a commitment to helping families navigate through the difficulties that accompany loss.

Ron's extensive experience and genuine compassion make him a trusted and valued member of our team. Families can rely on his expertise and unwavering support as they navigate the intricate process of honouring their loved ones.

Sonia Rovatti

Licensed Funeral Director

Sonia began working in funeral service right out of high school. She started in a clerical position and quickly realized she wanted to be a funeral director and embalmer. Sonia completed her studies and graduated from the BC Funeral Association Apprenticeship
Program in 1992.

She worked as an embalmer for many years. Still, she knew she had a passion for helping families through the grieving process, so she transitioned to a funeral director role where she could embrace and care for families during their time of need.

Sonia has dedicated 30-plus years to funeral service. She brings a wealth of experience and insight to our profession and the families we serve.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She loves the outdoors, camping, golfing, kayaking and exploring everything the Okanagan has to offer.

Ellysa Marshall

Licensed Apprentice Funeral Director

Ellysa was raised in the Okanagan. After graduating from A.L. Fortune High School as part of the Class of 2022 in Enderby, BC, Ellysa joined Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services in early 2023.

Ellysa's passion for the funeral industry shines through her commitment to helping families during their most challenging times. As she pursues a career in this field, she is currently engaged in an apprenticeship with our team while attending school to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer.

When Ellysa isn't at work or furthering her education, she finds joy in nature. You'll often find her outdoors, boating on the lakes or venturing up the mountains with her family.

Chelsea Osowetski

Licensed Funeral Director

Hailing from a small town in Northern Alberta, Chelsea's journey began with her high school graduation, which propelled her toward post-secondary education. She obtained a degree in Business Commerce from Grande Prairie Regional College and Athabasca University, setting a strong foundation for her future endeavours.

Following her studies, Chelsea embraced new opportunities and ventured to Regina, SK, where she worked as a Commercial Agricultural Lender. However, in 2018, she decided to make Kelowna her new home.

In 2020, Chelsea's passion for the funeral industry prompted her to pursue her to enroll in the Funeral Director/Embalmer program, dedicating herself to honing her skills and knowledge. With determination and hard work, she successfully completed the program in 2022.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Chelsea embraces the Okanagan region by enjoying wine tours and spending time at the lake.

Ashley Dallas

Licensed Funeral Director

Born and raised in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, Ashley has always had a heartfelt desire to help others. Her love for the funeral profession began in her teenage years and has only grown stronger over time.

Operating from a place of gratitude and honour, one of the biggest blessings in Ashley’s life has been the ability to help families through some of their most sensitive times. Her educational background, coupled with her extensive hands-on experience, has equipped her with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals and families through these challenging moments.

Ashley joined the Cypress team in 2023 and ensures that each family she serves receives personalized care and attention. Her commitment to creating meaningful and dignified farewells is reflected in her work ethic and her dedication shines through in every aspect of her work.

In her downtime, Ashley enjoys going on adventures and having long snuggles with her schnauzer "Gary", and spending time with her friends and family.