Jeffrey A. Petersen, Funeral Director/Owner
Jeffrey A. Petersen, a licensed funeral director, has served as a member of the professional staff at Overton Funeral Home since December, 1989. Jeff and his wife Mary assumed the ownership and management responsibilities of the funeral home, September 13, 2007.

A native of Clear Lake, Iowa, Jeff attended North Iowa Area Community College prior to graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1988. He received his license for funeral directing and embalming by the State of Iowa in 1989. Jeff is licensed as an insurance agent by the State of Iowa Insurance Division. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and Iowa Funeral Directors Association. He is a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church and a member and past president of the Indianola Noon Lions Club. He also served on the boards of the following organizations: Indianola Community Foundation, Indianola Good Samaritan Advisory Board, and the Indianola Youth Football League. He enjoys biking, golfing, and hunting. Jeff is a 2007 recipient of the Simpson College Achievement Award for Distinguished Community Service.

Mark L. Parrish, Funeral Director
Mark L. Parrish joined the staff at Overton Funeral Home in October of 2008. He is a 2005 graduate of Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona, Iowa and received his Associates of Business Degree from Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids before graduating from the Des Moines Area Community College Mortuary Science Program in August of 2008. Mark was licensed as a funeral director and embalmer with the State of Iowa on October 22, 2009 and is a licensed insurance agent with the State of Iowa Insurance Division. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and Iowa Funeral Directors Association.

Mark attends St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianola, is a member of the Optimist Club, and enjoys playing basketball and golf.

Mary Petersen, Office Secretary/Receptionist
Mary Petersen is the office secretary and receptionist, providing funeral home assistance in numerous areas of operation. She assists with correspondence, notifications of death, and the filing of death certificates. Mary is responsible for the creation of customized memorial folders and personalized video tributes for families and coordinates the special aftercare programs established by the funeral home. She assists with funeral services and memorial services and visitations.

Mary and Jeff have three children, Alex, Megan, and Nicholas. Mary is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and enjoys reading and playing cards.

John L. Overton, Funeral Director
John Overton is a licensed funeral director and the retired president of Overton Funeral Home. With over 40 years of service, he is a third generation family member to serve his community as a funeral director. John and his wife Barbara, succeeded his parents, Everett and Grace Overton as funeral home owners; his grandfather, Lewis Overton was the founder of Overton Funeral Home.

John attended Simpson College and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Mortuary Science. He was licensed as a funeral director/embalmer by the State of Iowa in 1966. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association. He is also licensed as an insurance agent, by the State of Iowa Insurance Division. John served in the United States Army Reserves and National Guard, 1967 -1972. He is a member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church where he has served as an ordained elder. He is also a member and past president of the Indianola Rotary Club and member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He previously served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce and Indianola Community. He enjoys watching spectator sports, reading, and golfing.

John’s wife Barbara assisted with the operations of Overton Funeral Home. John and Barb’s family include three married children and four grandchildren. Barbara served as the treasurer, bookkeeper and provided assistance with marketing and community outreach programs. Barbara is a member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church, TTT, Simpson Guild, and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She is a past member and chairperson of the Indianola Parks and Recreation Commission and has served the Indianola community in numerous volunteer roles. She is a recipient of the Simpson College Achievement Award for Distinguished Community Service. Barbara previously served as an assistant professor and the Director of Physical Education at Simpson College. She is presently a part-time assistant women’s volleyball coach at Simpson.