Honoring a Life of Gratitude and the Legacy of Gerald H. Davis

Richmond, IN — December 23, 2025 — With deep respect and heartfelt sorrow, Vandor Group and Starmark announce the passing of Gerald H. Davis, former President and long-time board member, on December 20^th, 2025. Gerald’s visionary leadership and unwavering integrity shaped our companies and the communities we serve, leaving a legacy that will endure for generations.

A Visionary Leader and Innovator

Throughout his distinguished career, Gerald was a pioneer in funeral service and packaging solutions. He held more than fifty patents, many developed in collaboration with other members of the Vandor and Starmark teams, reflecting his commitment to innovation and teamwork. Gerald founded the Starmark brand, setting new standards for family-affordable and funeral professional-friendly cremation products, and fostering partnerships built on trust and integrity.

A Career of Impact

Gerald came from a family of casket builders as his father, Forrest Davis, founded Goliath Casket in the mid-eighties, which continued for nearly four decades under the ownership of Gerald’s brother, Keith Davis. Gerald’s own career began humbly in 1977 as a part-time assembly line employee at Spartan Casket Shell in Lynn, Indiana. His talent and determination propelled him through leadership roles at JM Hutton and later into entrepreneurial success with Elder Davis, Inc., which became North America’s largest cloth-covered casket manufacturer.

In 2000, Gerald assumed leadership at Vandor and, anticipating the growing need for green burial and cremation products, launched Starmark Funeral Products in 2004. His innovations—from the Transporter® Cremation Container, compact and lower-cost rental inserts, easy-to-use funeral director-friendly ceremonial rental caskets, and the Sure~Lock® Temporary Urn—transformed funeral service and remain benchmarks of quality and functionality.

A Life Rooted in Values

Beyond his professional achievements, Gerald embodied fairness, hard work, and kindness—principles that continue to guide Vandor and Starmark’s culture. A gifted musician, Gerald majored in Alto Saxophone at Ball State University and Fort Wayne Bible College (now Taylor University) and served as a music director and arranger in the U.S. Army in Germany, where he met his beloved wife, Annette. Married for 51 years, they built a life in Eastern Indiana, raising a family of four, married children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Family and Legacy

Gerald’s vision lives on through his children, three of whom hold leadership roles within Vandor and Starmark today. Together, they carry forward Gerald’s commitment to delivering “Davis Sensible Solutions” to the industries he loved.

A Lasting Influence

Alan Elder, Chairman and CEO of Vandor Group, shared:
“Gerald was more than a colleague—he was a friend, a mentor, and a guiding light for Vandor. His creativity and integrity shaped not only our products but our culture. We will forever be grateful for his leadership and the example he set for all of us.”

Gerald H. Davis will be remembered not only for his innovations and leadership but for his compassion and humility. His influence will continue to inspire Vandor, Starmark, and the broader community for years to come. 

For obituary information, visit: https://www.smithmcquiston.com/obituaries/gerald-h-davis

Sequoia Legacy Care Partners with The Travel Plan by Inman to Provide Proactive Support to Grieving Families

Fort Wayne, IN – AUGUST 1, 2025 – Sequoia Legacy Care is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Travel Plan by Inman, enabling the company to provide clients with an added layer of protection and peace of mind through advanced travel protection services.

The Travel Plan by Inman is a respected travel protection product that ensures loved ones are cared for in the event of a death occurring away from home. Backed by insurance since 2021, with decades of professional expertise, the plan relieves families of the logistical and financial burden associated with transportation at an already difficult time.

“With its respectful and cost-effective products, The Travel Plan by Inman is a perfect complement to Sequoia Legacy Care’s mission of providing personalized, compassionate support,” said Dave McComb, CEO of Travel Plan by Inman and fourth-generation funeral director. “We are honored to partner with Sequoia Legacy Care to empower families in their time of need and help ease the weight of funeral planning during moments of grief.”

This exclusive partnership strengthens Sequoia Legacy Care’s ability to offer proactive, thoughtful solutions to families nationwide, and further enhances Sequoia’s commitment to exceptional service, customized care, and long-term legacy planning.

About The Travel Plan by Inman

The Travel Plan by Inman is a travel protection product offered by Inman Shipping Worldwide, created to meet the needs of an increasingly mobile society. As careers, travel, and retirement take individuals across the country and around the globe, the Travel Plan provides peace of mind by ensuring that, in the event of death away from home, the deceased’s remains will be professionally returned to their final resting place. Every plan sold is backed by insurance.

Inman Shipping Worldwide has decades of experience in mortuary transport and is trusted by funeral professionals across the nation. With The Travel Plan, families can rely on expert care, logistical coordination, and financial protection during some of life’s most difficult moments.  Inman uses their network of service providers to provide removal and embalming services and Eagle’s Wings Air. Our Sister company does the logistics for the flight 

Planning for the future is an essential yet often overlooked aspect of life. While topics like budgeting, saving for retirement, and investing may dominate financial discussions, will and estate planning are equally, if not more, critical. These plans ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and provide peace of mind for your loved ones during emotionally challenging times. Here, we explore the importance of will and estate planning and why everyone, regardless of age or wealth, should prioritize it.

What Is Will and Estate Planning?

Will planning involves creating a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death. It allows you to name beneficiaries, designate guardians for minor children, and appoint an executor to manage your estate.

Estate planning goes a step further, encompassing a broader range of strategies to manage your assets during your lifetime and after your death. This includes trusts, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and strategies to minimize taxes and other expenses.

Key Reasons to Prioritize Will and Estate Planning

1. Protecting Your Loved Ones

Without a will, your estate may be subject to state laws, which might not align with your wishes. This can create unnecessary stress and conflict among family members. A clear estate plan ensures your loved ones are cared for and reduces the likelihood of disputes.

2. Avoiding Probate Delays

Probate is the legal process of distributing a deceased person’s assets. Without a proper plan, this process can be lengthy and costly. An estate plan can streamline or bypass probate, ensuring a quicker and smoother transfer of assets.

3. Minimizing Taxes and Expenses

Estate planning allows you to implement strategies to reduce estate taxes, legal fees, and other expenses. This ensures more of your wealth goes to your beneficiaries rather than being eroded by unnecessary costs.

4. Ensuring Healthcare and Financial Decisions

Through documents like a healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney, estate planning allows you to designate trusted individuals to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

5. Safeguarding Minor Children

For parents, a will is crucial for naming guardians for minor children. This ensures they are cared for by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

Common Misconceptions About Estate Planning

Many people delay estate planning due to misconceptions, such as:

• “I’m too young.” Tragedies can occur at any age. Planning ahead ensures you’re prepared for the unexpected.
• “I don’t have enough assets.” Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s about protecting whatever you have, no matter the size.
• “My family will figure it out.” Without clear instructions, families may face unnecessary legal hurdles and emotional stress.

Steps to Get Started

1. Assess Your Assets and Liabilities: Compile a comprehensive list of your assets, debts, and beneficiaries.
2. Consult Professionals: Work with estate planning attorneys and financial advisors to create a plan tailored to your needs.
3. Document Your Wishes: Draft a will, establish trusts if necessary, and complete healthcare and financial directives.
4. Communicate with Your Family: Discuss your plans with your loved ones to avoid surprises and ensure they understand your wishes.
5. Review and Update Regularly: Life changes, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant financial shifts, may require updates to your plan.

Will and estate planning may seem daunting, but it’s one of the most responsible and caring actions you can take for yourself and your loved ones. By planning ahead, you can secure your legacy, minimize stress for your family, and ensure your wishes are respected. Take the first step today and consult with a professional to create a plan that aligns with your goals and values. Your future self and your loved ones will thank you.

Legacy Pro Business: How a ‘New Legacy’ Is Transforming Deathcare 

Funeral service has historically been considered a slower-to-adapt industry. Many professionals are juggling tight budgets, complex family needs, and a barrage of marketing choices—from traditional newspapers to social media. For years, Legacy.com was viewed with mixed feelings by funeral directors. Some were concerned it “stole” web traffic or flower sales, while others found it a helpful obituary archive. However, through a series of major updates, Legacy.com’s new offering, Legacy Pro Business, has quickly become a resourceful ally for funeral homes nationwide.

Below is an overview of how Legacy Pro Business flips the script on old misunderstandings, increases funeral home visibility, and ultimately benefits both professionals and the families they serve.

1. From “Old Legacy” to “New Legacy”

Since its inception in 1998, Legacy.com has been best known for its obituary listings and guest books. Over time, however, many funeral directors voiced legitimate concerns:

• Traffic Diversion – Families searching for an obituary online often landed on Legacy.com, potentially overlooking the funeral home’s main website.
• Lost Flower Sales – Some funeral homes believed Legacy’s flower ads siphoned off revenue.
• Confusion Over Notice Listings – Legacy.com often auto-generated brief death notices, causing some families to question why their loved one’s obituary was partially posted somewhere they hadn’t approved.

Recognizing these issues, Legacy spent years overhauling its business model. The result is Legacy Pro Business, a platform built in close collaboration with funeral directors and industry experts, aiming to boost funeral home traffic, amplify brand visibility, and redirect revenue opportunities back to local operators.

2. Boosting Website Traffic and Brand Visibility

A funeral home’s website is a crucial marketing hub—often the first place a family goes to learn about services, pricing, and staff. Legacy Pro Business helps funnel more visitors to that online “front door.” Here’s how:

1. Premium Business Listings – Funeral homes on Legacy Pro Business gain a fully branded profile, complete with multiple backlinks that direct obituary readers straight to the funeral home’s website. That means more eyes on your brand and direct exposure to your services.
2. Improved SEO – Because Legacy.com is a high-authority domain (it reaches over 40 million unique visitors each month), funeral homes gain “SEO juice” through backlinks. Search engines like Google see these reputable links and reward your website with better rankings over time.
3. Community Pages – Legacy Business recently debuted local, topic-specific “Community Pages,” grouping obituaries by high school, university, workplace, or region. This hyperlocal aggregator keeps your funeral home top-of-mind for those interested in certain communities, while always linking back to your official website.

Taken together, these features have demonstrated a potential overnight increase of 15-20% more web traffic for funeral homes. The difference is palpable: with increased local brand exposure, you stand out online against competitors and strengthen top-of-mind awareness among families.

3. Reclaiming Flower Sales and E-Commerce

A central complaint about the “old” Legacy model was that flower arrangements purchased through Legacy’s website bypassed local florists and took potential profit from the funeral home. Legacy Pro Business resolves this by:

• Local Florist Integration – Funeral homes can plug their preferred florist into the obituary platform. If a visitor on Legacy.com decides to send flowers, the order directly benefits your chosen local business.
• Revenue-Sharing Options – For homes that want to offer nationwide arrangements, Legacy Pro Business includes revenue-share models comparable to (or often better than) other online florists. This means funeral directors can confidently recommend their community’s best florist and still capture income.

4. Time-Saving Data and Insights

Every funeral director knows how important it is to keep an eye on local market trends. Yet, many waste hours sifting through newspapers or competitor websites to track obituaries and call volume. Legacy Pro Business’s Obit Data tool streamlines this:

• Automated Competitor Tracking – Identify which local funeral homes to monitor, and Legacy Pro Business compiles monthly data on how many obituaries they posted.
• Performance Dashboards – Receive monthly performance emails showing how many people viewed your listings, clicked over to your website, or clicked the “Send Flowers” button.
• Actionable Insights – With data in hand, funeral directors can refine marketing budgets, improve online user experiences, and pin down best practices that lead to growth.

5. The Bottom Line: A True Partnership

While funeral professionals once questioned Legacy.com’s role, Legacy Pro Business has changed the narrative. It’s no longer just an obituary repository; it’s a strategic partner that:

• Increases organic traffic to your website.
• Protects local flower sales and offers offers competitive revenue share.
• Eliminates outdated “auto-posting” of partial obituaries without your approval.
• Equips you with competitor insights at a fraction of the cost of manual research.
• Builds community awareness through localized Community Pages.

As technology shapes the future of funeral service, platforms like Legacy Pro Business present a cost-effective, transparent way to adapt. Instead of paying for expensive pay-per-click campaigns or juggling multiple apps, funeral homes have a one-stop option to bolster online traffic, optimize e-commerce, and strengthen their brand identity.

Final Thoughts

Before dismissing Legacy Pro Business due to old misconceptions, consider taking a test drive. The platform, available in both free and paid tiers, is designed to give as much control to funeral directors as possible—from customizing florist choices to integrating obituary content with your website. With a track record of listening and responding to funeral-home feedback, Legacy Pro Business just might be the digital partner you’ve been waiting for.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to Legacy Pro Business or speak with a consultant who can show you the potential traffic gains and bottom-line benefits for your funeral home. After all, the best way to maintain a family’s confidence isn’t to keep them on one platform—it’s to ensure they have the information and services they need, wherever they choose to engage. Legacy Pro Business helps make that happen, all while keeping your brand at the forefront.

Thacker Caskets Expands with Acquisition of Southern Legacy Casket and New Warehouse in Bowling Green, Kentucky

MONROVIA, MD – Thacker Caskets, the leading family-owned funeral supply company, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Southern Legacy Casket Company. This strategic acquisition reinforces Thacker’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and products to our valued customers.

Thacker Caskets is excited to share the opening of a second Kentucky warehouse, located in Bowling Green. This new facility will enhance our logistics capabilities, allowing us to better serve customers in the region with faster delivery times and an expanded product inventory.

“We are thrilled to welcome the talented team at Southern Legacy Casket to the Thacker family,” said Danielle Thacker of Thacker Caskets. “Their dedication to providing high-quality, affordable caskets perfectly aligns with our mission, and we are excited to work alongside them to ensure that our customers’ expectations are not only met but exceeded.”

The integration of Southern Legacy’s products with Thacker’s experience is designed to maintain the high standards of quality and affordability that both companies’ customers have come to expect. Together, the combined team will continue to prioritize customer satisfaction while leveraging Thacker’s resources to bring innovative solutions and expanded offerings to funeral homes throughout the region.

Duey Eversole, owner of Southern Legacy, says, “I’ve been working in the industry since 1988 and I am thrilled to continue serving funeral homes with the utmost care and compassion as we join forces with Thacker. This partnership marks an exciting chapter moving forward and we are proud to align with a company that shares our commitment to excellence.”

The new Bowling Green warehouse is set to open January 20, 2025, providing a convenient location to better meet the needs of our customers in Kentucky and surrounding states. This addition reflects Thacker’s ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports efficient distribution and superior service.

For over 85 years, Thacker Caskets has been a trusted partner for funeral homes, offering a diverse range of caskets crafted with care and precision. With the acquisition of Southern Legacy Casket and the expansion into Bowling Green, Thacker is poised to continue its legacy of excellence while embracing new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

About Thacker Caskets:

Founded in 1939, Thacker Caskets is the largest family-owned funeral supply company in the United States. With a focus on quality, affordability, and exceptional customer service, Thacker’s mission is to be the most trust funeral supplier by providing honest products, at an honest price, with honest service. To learn more, please visit thackercaskets.com