Our staff's commitment to you
Our staff is committed to providing support, compassion, information, and direction as needed to all members of our community, their families, and friends who are dealing with loss and grief.
Mark was born and raised in Galesburg. He is the third generation of his family to live in Galesburg. After graduating from Galesburg High School, he attended Carl Sandburg College and graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Mortuary Science and Funeral Service in 1994. Mark received his BA from Western Illinois University in 2007. He worked at Beck Memorial Home in Bloomington for 3 ½ years prior to moving back to Galesburg in 1998 when he started working at Watson Funeral Home. He was elected Knox County Coroner in 2004, a position he still holds. In late 2009 he and his wife Tricia purchased Watson Funeral Home from John and Peg.
Mark and his wife Tricia have two sons Andrew and Luke and are members of St. Patrick Catholic Church.
He is active in many community service organizations, member and past President of the Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service Board of Directors, past president of the Galesburg Area Crimestoppers, past Parish Council member at Corpus Christi Church, is on the St. Joseph Cemetery Association Board, and a member and past president of the Galesburg Noon Lion's Club, as well as being past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce and is a member of Soangetaha Country Club. Mark also serves on the West Central Illinois Adult Fatality Review Team as well as the State Board of the FRT, and is a member of the Elks Lodge #894. Mark sits on the board of directors for the Mortuary Science Program at Carl Sandburg College as well as the Knox County YMCA. Mark is a life member of the Original Trocars Motorcycle Group (funeral director motorcycle enthusiasts) and a 3rd Degree member of the Father J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556. He graduated from Leadership Greater Galesburg in 2005. Mark is a past board member of the Discovery Depot Board of Directors and was active coaching area youth sports for many years while his sons were growing up.
In his free time, Mark enjoys spending time with his family at their cabin on the banks of the Mississippi River in Oquawka, Illinois.
Tricia was born and raised in Carthage, IL. After graduating from Carthage High School (1987), she attended Illinois College and graduated from Western Illinois University in 1991, with a Bachelors of Business in Accounting. Upon moving to the Quad Cities, she worked for Knox-Larson Funeral Home in Rock Island and Milan for 9 years. She attended Mortuary School at Carl Sandburg College and received her Associates degree in 2000.
She moved to Galesburg in 2000. In late 2009, Tricia and her husband, Mark purchased Watson Funeral Home from John and Peg Watson. At that time, she was working as a Controller; she joined the staff of Watson Thomas Funeral Home in January, 2014. In March, 2014 they opened the Thomas Legacy Center which added a crematory and community room on site.
Tricia and Mark have two sons Andrew, 22, who recently graduated with his degree in finance at Illinois College, Jacksonville, and has returned to work in Galesburg with Ron Koehler at Charter Point Wealth Strategies, and Luke, 17, who is a senior at Galesburg High School. They are members of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Galesburg,
Tricia stays very active being involved in local activities. She is an Administrative Official for YMCA swim. Previously served on the Costa Community Association Board and was treasurer for many years. Is a member of the Galesburg Athletic Booster Club, and served at Treasurer for 6 years; served on the Walk for Baby Feet Board and has most recently joined efforts with Give Back, Galesburg to raise funds for the Mark and Jeannette Kleine Pediatric Wellness Center at OSF St. Mary Medical Center. Tricia is also a member of PEO Chapter HO of Galesburg. She enjoys cheering on her son during swim, track, and cross country as well as volunteering for many fundraisers for local sporting teams.
Haley was born and raised in Galesburg, Illinois. She graduated early from Galesburg High School and continued her education at Carl Sandburg College in 2018. While in school, Haley joined the team at Watson Thomas Funeral Home in February, 2019. She graduated from Sandburg with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science in 2020.
She enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.
Brad works as our cremation specialist, as he is in charge of all aspects of both our human and pet crematories, and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and Western Illinois University in Macomb. Brad has served as President of the district association of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and has been involved in the Galesburg community by working with the Knox County United Way and the former Multiple Handicapped Summer Camp program. Brad is married to Robin and has two grown daughters.
Marilyn was born and raised in Carthage, IL. After graduating from Carthage High School in 1983, she attended Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg and graduated with an Associate in Science degree in 1985. She then attended Western Illinois University and graduated early in December 1986 with her Bachelor's in Business degree with an emphasis in Management. She worked for Bailey Financial Group upon graduation. She then worked at Carl Sandburg College as the Coordinator of a Recruitment. She worked at Galesburg Christian School as their Development Director. During this time she started her own Mary Kay business and worked her way into the top 2% of the company and continues her business even now.
Marilyn is married to Jeff for 37 years. They have 3 grown daughters and 2 grandsons.
Marilyn enjoys volunteering her time with the OSF St Mary's Auxiliary where she serves as Chair of the Ways and Means committee and Vice Chair of the Auxiliary.
She also volunteers her time at her church, Bethel Baptist Church, on their finance committee. Marilyn enjoys being of service to others.
Darrell Grimm has been the pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Galesburg since 2009 and is currently serving as the Director of the Galesburg Rescue Mission.
Darrell began working at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in 2011. Pastor Grimm has the heart to serve others and enjoys helping people in their time of need. Having personally been through the loss of his own son, Darrell understands first hand the grief that goes along with such a loss. He and his wife Sandy have been married for 37 years and have 3 children.