Our Staff
Derek is the President of Apfel Funeral Homes, Inc.
Gaylord Apfel is a Retired Funeral Director.
Raynord Apfel is a retired Funeral Director.
Chris McCoy began his career in funeral service in 1989 in his hometown of Jefferson, Iowa. He attended the Kansas City Kansas Community College School of Mortuary Science, where he was the recipient of the departmental award for service and professionalism. He has been a resident of Grand Island since 1993.
He is a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where he has served as a member of the parish council, serves as an usher, and is a member of St. Anthony's Council #9562 of the Knights of Columbus. He is a past president of the A.M. Islanders Kiwanis Club, and past president of District 8 of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association, and is a member of BPO Elks Lodge No.604.
Chris and his wife Lana have two grown sons who along with their wives, have gifted them with five wonderful grandchildren.
Brandon Bachle began his career in funeral service in 2014 as part-time help during the summer months. He is originally from Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island Northwest High School before heading to Hastings College where he got a business degree and played football. He then went on and attended the Kansas City Kansas Community College of Mortuary Science.
He is a member of Resurrection Catholic Church where he is in the Music Ministry. He is on boards for the GRACE Cancer Foundation and Grand Island Legion Baseball. He is a member of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals and was honored in the Chambers Top 35 Under 35 Class of 2020.
Gwen is a native of Iowa and a graduate of Western Christian High School. She graduated from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and Des Moines Area Community College Mortuary Science Program. Gwen worked in elementary education and retail in Nebraska and Iowa for several years prior to mortuary training. During mortuary school, she worked at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden and Rock Valley, Iowa, receiving hands-on training and experience. In November 2011, they moved to Grand Island. Gwen began her apprenticeship and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2013. Working with and guiding families through the entire funeral process is one of the most rewarding experiences in this profession.
Gwen and her husband, Rob, live in Grand Island. They enjoy working in their yard and traveling. Gwen also enjoys making scrapbooks of their travels.
Baylee is originally from Kearney, graduating from Kearney High School before attending Central Community College where she received her Associate of Applied Science. During this time she worked at Apfel Funeral Home as a funeral director assistant. She then completed mortuary school through Des Moines Area Community College's funeral home based program, receiving hands on training and education.
She is a frequent volunteer at Willow Rising in Grand Island, a member of the local Community Bible Study, and enjoys spending her free time making memories with her family and friends.
Bernie McCaleb was married to the late Fred McCaleb for over 50 years. She is the mother of Mark McCaleb. She has two sons, George and Harold, and seven grandchildren.
Having experienced great loss herself, Bernie is passionate about helping our families make it thru the seemingly impossible journey of grief. Bernie lost her firstborn son, Charles, in 1998 and her husband, Fred, in 2015. Throughout her grieving, Bernie always kept her faith.
Bernie assists in our monthly grief support groups and is a real asset to our team. She listens with great empathy and is kind and understanding. Bernie is very involved in her church, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, and will pray for anyone who is in need.
Come join our grief support and let her give you some care and comfort.
Ricardo was born in Weslaco and raised in Donna with his parents, Benito and Tella, and his two sisters.
Ricardo has been serving our families for over six years and is very caring and compassionate. He takes great pride in his job and is one of the most respectful gentlemen you will ever meet.
Ricardo helps in various aspects of the business, but the cleanliness of the facilities and timeliness of set up at the church and cemetery are due to his organization and strong work ethic. No matter how busy things are, Ricardo keeps things running smooth and neat.
When you notice Ricardo missing, he is serving his country in the U.S. Marine Reserves.
Locations: Sacred Park Cemetery (Mercedes) & McCaleb Funeral Home (Weslaco)
