Our Staff
Our Staff
Our staff provides excellent funeral planning services
We have years of experience caring for families from all walks of life, cultures and faiths. Our unsurpassed staff and our family provide kind, caring, professional service. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession who are dedicated to excellence in service, adhere to the highest funeral industry standards, and have exceptional integrity. We consistently earn phenomenally high customer satisfaction survey results.
Our licensed, professional staff is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 316-321-1657 anytime. We will even come to you to make arrangements in the comfort of your home.
Prompt, compassionate service is always just a phone call away, where and when you need it.
Chris Karn
Managing Partner, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Chris Karn moved to El Dorado in 2016 to pursue his funeral director and embalmer license in Kansas. He has worked with families in funeral service in Michigan for several years and has enjoyed the transition to living in Kansas. Chris has a wealth of experience and brings much creativity, dignity and respect to the people of Butler County. He is an Eagle Scout, member of the El Dorado Lions Club and member of Patmos Lodge #97 of the Free and Accepted Masons.
Lionell Butts
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Lionell Butts has served Butler County for over 43 years at both Carlson & Kirby-Morris Chapels. Lionell graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and Leon High School. He is active on the board of the El Dorado Community Concert series, Leon Senior Center, Leon Christian Church, and El Dorado Kiwanis Club. He is an avid antique collector and a fixture at most every area auction. He is well respected for his outstanding work with families in their time of need.
Katie Hollis
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Katie, a lifelong Butler County resident, graduated from Augusta High School, Class of 2013. She received her degree in Mortuary Science from Kansas City Community College. Katie is currently gearing up to complete her national board exam to become an Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer. Katie has one son, Aiden. Outside of her compassion for the funeral home, she enjoys tagging along to Boy Scouts with her son and spending time with family.
Tierra Ehrlich
Office Manager/Assistant Funeral Director/Licensed Insurance Agent
Tierra, a lifelong Butler County resident, is a graduate of Circle High School, Class of 2013. She is married to Darren Ehrlich and has three daughters, Laykin, Layla and Laynee. She joined the staff at Carlson & Kirby-Morris Funeral Homes in May of 2015. She is a member of El Dorado Elk's Lodge & Real Life Christian Church. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family & reading.
Dalton Ryan
Administrative Assistant
Stephen Shearburn
Facilities and Grounds Lead
Lifelong El Dorado resident Stephen Shearburn has been with Carlson & Kirby-Morris for many years, making sure that the grounds, buildings, vehicles and landscaping around the historic funeral home buildings in downtown El Dorado are maintained. Stephen loves spending time with his three grandchildren and attending their many activities.
Phil Wickwire
Lead Funeral Ambassador
Phil is a retired Captain from Butler County Sheriff's Office.
After 35 years with Butler County Phil came to us a Funeral Ambassador in
2016. He is married to Kay and has a couple of children and several grandchildren. Phil enjoys helping people. His hobbies include wood working
and tinker projects in his shop. Phil is very involved in the El Dorado
Community helping with Celebration of Freedom week, El Dorado Elks Lodge 1407,
American Legion Post 81 and First Christian Church.
David Lockard
Funeral Ambassador
David, a lifelong El Dorado
resident, is a graduate of El Dorado High School. He helps with services
and visitations. David is retired after 40+ years in the Information
Technology field. He has come full circle in employment. His first
job was at Carlson’s Colonial Funeral Home and has now returned after his
retirement in 2022. David is an active member of the Augusta First
Baptist Church. He enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren and
attending their many activities.
Debbie Hall
Ambassador
Debbie joined Carlson & Kirby-Morris in 2009; she helps with services and visitations. Debbie also helps with community outreach and recognition. She is retired from 30 years in education, serving 28 of those years at Grandview Elementary. She now works at Oil Hill Elementary. Debbie is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and is married to David, who after 31 years retired from the Butler County Sheriff's Department. She has two sons, Josh (and his wife Amy) and Justin, and two grandchildren, Paxton and Harper Ellison.
Sydney Scanlon
Aftercare Coordinator
Sydney graduated from El Dorado High School, Class of 2018. She is currently attending Fort Hays University, where she plans on majoring in radiology. Sydney joined our staff in December of 2019. Although, she does not hold office hours she is still a valuable asset to our team.