Our Team 

John Chasca  (Owner & President)

John was born in McLennan, Alberta, he grew up on the family farm. His passion for funeral service was sparked at a young age, and he began working in a funeral home at the age of 15. He graduated in 1975 from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, where he obtained his Funeral Director/Embalmer’s license. John later moved to Cranbrook and purchased McPherson’s in 1977. He is a former member of the Cranbrook Rotary Club (past President) as well as the Knights of Columbus. He is a past president of the British Columbia Funeral Service Association, past president of The Cremation Association of North America (CANA), and a past director on the board of the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC). John also serves on the board of the Society of Independent Funeral Directors of British Columbia. John has been joined by his children in the profession and enjoys working alongside them and the team. With over 50 years of experience in all aspects of funeral service, John continues to have a strong passion for making the experience, care, and support of the families we serve the highest priority.

Dane Chasca  (Managing Director)
Dane was born in Calgary, Alberta, and lived in Ontario during his formative years, returning to Cranbrook in the summer months to help out at the family funeral home. He grew up in the funeral home, assisting wherever he could. After graduating from high school, Dane moved to Cranbrook and joined his father, John, and the team full-time at McPherson’s. He graduated from The Canadian College of Funeral Service in 2015 as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, at that time becoming one of the youngest licensees in the province. He feels privileged to be a part of such an amazing community. Dane and his wife are new parents to a baby girl. Dane and his family are dedicated to providing excellent service to the families served by McPherson Funeral Services every day. Dane has been with McPherson’s since 2013.

Murray Forbes  (Senior Director)
Murray grew up in Nanaimo, B.C., where he began his career in the funeral profession on a part-time basis in 1982. He completed his apprenticeship in Whitehorse, Yukon, in 1992, then moved to Grand Forks, B.C., where he served the families of the West Kootenays for many years. Murray and his family later moved to Cranbrook, where he joined the McPherson’s team and brought his experience in various aspects of funeral service, including working with the B.C. Coroner Service and crematorium operations. Murray and his wife are strong supporters of junior hockey and the local arts scene in Cranbrook. Murray has been with McPherson’s since 2014.

Rebecca MacDonald  (Funeral Director/ Embalmer)

Rebecca was born in Vancouver, B.C., but has spent much of her life moving back and forth between Alberta and British Columbia. Prior to starting her career in funeral service, she was a professional artist and business owner for twelve years in the small community of Fernie, B.C. Rebecca eventually moved to Calgary to obtain her dual license in funeral directing and embalming, receiving her diploma in Funeral Service through Mount Royal University in 2022. She has a son, whom she considers her largest accomplishment, and loves spending time with friends and family. Rebecca is looking forward to working in the East Kootenays and assisting families in their time of need. She values creating strong, long-lasting relationships with each family she serves. Rebecca has been with McPherson’s since 2022.

Lucas Branstetter  (Funeral Director / Embalmer) 

Lucas was raised in Portland, Oregon, and came to Canada for college in 2002. During his time in college, he met and married his wife. They have been in the Kootenays since 2010, and it has become their home. In 2017, he began working in the funeral profession as a funeral attendant. In 2021, he started his formal training as a Funeral Director and Embalmer and graduated in the fall of 2023 from the Canadian College of Funeral Services. Lucas is looking forward to serving the community of Cranbrook and the surrounding areas. Lucas has been with McPherson’s since 2022.

Jenna Hagel   (Funeral Director / Embalmer Apprentice)

Jenna was born in Calgary, Alberta, and later moved to Cranbrook with her family. She completed school in Red Deer, Alberta, before making her way to Vancouver Island. During her 24 years in Campbell River, she not only started a family but, in 2008, obtained her Nurses’ Aide certification and began working with Evergreen Seniors Home. Jenna specialized in both palliative and dementia care. Her love for working with seniors was strong, and her desire to offer them even more services was greater. In 2016, she took a leap of faith and started Full Circle Care, an independently owned and operated business that provided care to seniors in the community. It was here that she gained experience in end-of-life care. Jenna returned to Cranbrook in 2022 and was soon introduced to the funeral profession. She is honored and privileged to be serving families in our communities with care and support. Jenna has been with McPherson’s since 2022.

Nicholas Oostyen   (Administrator)

Nicholas was born and raised in Invermere, British Columbia, and moved to Cranbrook with his wife, Sara, in 2020. Nick spent many days at the ski hill with his parents and pursued skiing for much of his youth. Now, Nick and Sara enjoy spending time with their pets, exploring British Columbia, and being outdoors. Nicholas has been with McPherson’s since 2021.

Gina Christensen   (Administrator)

Gina has lived in the Kootenays for the past 22 years. After living in the big city of Toronto, she headed west and never returned! Her passion for the outdoors and nature is what brought her here—and why she stayed! Working as an administrative assistant with a financial advisor for 14 years, Gina brings enthusiasm and knowledge to her position here at McPherson Funeral Services. We welcomed Gina to our team in 2022.

Joni Janzen   (Event & Reception Coordinator)

Joni was born in White Rock, B.C., but moved to Hudson’s Hope, B.C., at a very young age and spent her childhood there. Joni has resided in Cranbrook for the last 23 years with her husband, Ron. Together, they have two children and are grandparents to three grandchildren. Joni holds a Business Administration Diploma, and for the past 20 years, she has been self-employed in the geothermal industry. Prior to starting her business, she worked for 10 years at the E.K. P.A.R.T.Y. Program and the E.K. Brain Injury Association in administrative roles. Volunteering has been a major part of Joni’s life. While raising her children, she could be found coaching sports teams in basketball, hockey, and fastball, as well as volunteering with Hospice and facilitating grief recovery sessions. Currently, Joni is the Kitchen Facility Coordinator at her church and is involved in a monthly program caring for widows and widowers in our community. Supporting families and individuals during difficult times is a passion for Joni, and she is pleased to have been part of the McPherson team since 2018.

Jack Chisholm    (Transfer Care Team)
Jack was born in Calgary, Alberta, and moved to Cranbrook with his family when he was 13. He has a passion for trucking and eventually purchased Freightliner Cranbrook, which he ran for many years. Jack also has a love for stock car racing and classic cars and is a member of the Rockin’ in the Rockies Car Club. He is honored to serve and help the families in our communities. Jack has been with McPherson’s since 2023.

  Abbey Chasca   (Pre-Planning Specialist)
Abbey was born and raised in Cranbrook and is a graduate of Mount Baker Secondary School. She has a deep love for living in the Kootenays and enjoys spending time outdoors. After graduating, Abbey gained valuable experience working at her family’s jewelry store and in the banking profession. Abbey met and married her husband, Dane, in Cranbrook, and together they welcomed their first daughter in 2023. Abbey and Dane enjoy working together at McPherson Funeral Home, where Abbey is dedicated to helping families in the community prepare their arrangements with care and support. She has been with McPherson’s since October 2024.

Gordon Murphy   Retired (Managing Director)
Gordon was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick. He has been in the funeral profession for over 50 years, receiving his New Brunswick Funeral Director’s License in 1969. He later moved to Alberta, where he obtained his Funeral Director’s license. Gordon and his family eventually moved to Cranbrook, where he became a valuable part of the community and was named Cranbrook’s Citizen of the Year in 2001. Over the years, his involvement in the community has included work with the Compassionate Friends, the Cranbrook Hospice Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the E.K. P.A.R.T.Y. Program. Above all, Gordon enjoyed working with families at the funeral home. He has been with McPherson’s since 1981.

Brian Taylor (In Loving Memory) Funeral Director
                                                    1950 - 2024

Brian was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He attended Fredericton High School and graduated in 1968. Brian and his wife moved to Cranbrook in 1990 to begin work at McPherson’s, where he received his Funeral Director/Embalmer’s License in 1992. Brian loved serving families throughout the East Kootenays and helping them in their time of need. He also enjoyed playing darts when the opportunity arose, watching sports such as hockey, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Brian was with McPherson’s from 1990 until his passing in 2024.