History & Staff

George M. Kotrady, Funeral Director & Embalmer / Co-Owner

George was born in Kingston, New York and he moved to St. Augustine with his family in 1978. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1984 and from Flagler College in 1989 with a B.A. in Business Administration. He received his mortuary degree in 1992 from Lynn University in Boca Raton. George began his funeral career in 1985 working for Craig Funeral Home and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1993. He was employed there until June 2000, then was offered and accepted the location managers position at Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He then partnered with longtime friend, Randy Hudgins and together they purchased Croyle Funeral Home in 2001. In May of 2008 they moved into their new location and renamed it St. Johns Family Funeral Home. He has three daughters which keep him busy when he is not at the funeral home.

Randy Hudgins, Funeral Director & Embalmer / Co-Owner

Randy Hudgins is a second generation funeral director and has been serving families as a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1990. He was born and raised in Palatka, FL and later move to Titusville when his dad partnered with a longtime friend and established North Brevard Funeral Home. Randy has vast experience in the industry, starting at North Brevard Funeral Home and later managing Oak Lawn Cemetery in Titusville. Randy later moved to Panama City, FL to manage Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, Panama City's premier funeral home. He latered partnered with George Kotrady and purchased Croyle Funeral Home in 2001. Randy is married to Karen Moore Hudgins and they have six children. Randy and his family are very active with their church, Anastasia Baptist Church, where Randy served as a deacon. In addition to being a member of Anastasia Baptist church, he also holds membership in the St. Augustine Navy League and is a charter member of the Coastal Rotary Club.

Kris Erin Kratzer Johnson, Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kris joined St. Johns Family Funeral Home in 2014 after moving from her hometown in Ohio. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Florida; a 2006 graduate of Eastern High School and received her bachelor of Mortuary Science degree from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Kris takes pride in serving families and meeting each one’s unique needs. She resides in St. Augustine with her husband, Joseph and their two sons, Liam and Jett.

Wayne Osterling, Funeral Director/Embalmer

Wayne was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in Reisterstown and Owings Mills. He earned his Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from the Community College of Baltimore County and has been honored to serve families in funeral service since 1987.

In 2019, Wayne and his wife, Dawn, moved to St. Augustine, Florida, where they have made their home. Dawn is a registered nurse, and together they are active members of Reverb Church.

Wayne and Dawn have two daughters: Emily Martinez and her husband, Cody, and Claire Osterling. Family is an important part of Wayne’s life, and he treasures the time he spends with his wife, daughters, and extended family.

Outside of funeral service, Wayne enjoys studying the Bible, calligraphy, and playing classical guitar. He is also a member of the St. Johns Classical Guitar Ensemble, where he enjoys sharing his appreciation for music with fellow musicians.

With almost four decades of experience in funeral service, Wayne brings extensive knowledge, compassion, and a sincere commitment to serving families during some of life’s most difficult moments. He considers it a privilege to provide guidance, support, and care to those entrusted to him.

Jessica Canada, Funeral Director & Embalmer

Jessica is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and has been serving families since 2007. Originally from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Jessica was called to funeral service after experiencing the loss of someone close to her during high school. That experience inspired a desire to help others navigate some of life’s most difficult moments with compassion, understanding, and care. Outside of her professional life, Jessica is part of a blended family and stays busy with her four children.

Becky Coffee Yeoman, Family Service Counselor & Pre-Arrangements

Ashley Aldrich, Funeral Director & Embalmer

Ashley Aldrich was born and raised in St. Augustine, Florida. She graduated from Pedro Menendez High School in 2008 and began her professional career in veterinary medicine, where she spent 13 years working as a veterinary technician and receptionist. During those years, Ashley developed a deep love for animals while also learning the importance of compassion, communication, and caring for families during some of their most difficult moments.
In 2021, Ashley decided to take a new direction in her career and return to school to pursue her passion for funeral service. She attended Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she earned her Associate in Science degree in Mortuary Science in 2024. Ashley graduated at the top of her class, an accomplishment that reflected her dedication, determination, and commitment to serving others.
Ashley believes that her years working with animals and their families helped prepare her for a career in funeral service. She understands how meaningful it is to be trusted during times of loss and believes every family deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, compassion, and understanding.
Outside of her career, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and, of course, her animals. Her love for animals extends far beyond her professional experience. Ashley shares her home with a unique and much-loved collection of pets, including four dogs, two cats, a rat named Hubble, a ghost morph corn snake named Pluto, two leopard geckos named Poko and Moonpie, an Indonesian blue-tongue skink named Gandalf, and a blue-bar bearded dragon named Charizard, affectionately known as “Fat Pancake.”
Ashley considers it an honor and privilege to serve families during one of the most difficult times in their lives. She strives to provide every family with the same compassion, patience, dignity, and respect that she would want for her own loved ones. For Ashley, funeral service is more than a career—it is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and help families honor and remember the people they love.

Erin Burke, Administrative Assistant & Intern Funeral Director/Embalmer

Erin Burke is a proud native Floridian who has called St. Augustine home since 2022 with her husband and two wonderful daughters. She earned her undergraduate degree in Health Science from the University of Florida, followed by a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Georgia, and later completed her Funeral Service education at Florida State College at Jacksonville. She is honored to serve families during some of life’s most difficult moments and is passionate about providing compassionate, thoughtful care and support to the families she serves.

Mike Repp, Crematory Manager

Jarius Williams, Operations Assistant & Embalmer Apprentice

Tim Downs, Operations Assistant

Murphy McDaniel, Operations Assistant

Mary Lou Eby, Office Support Staff

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Mary Lou attended Gordon College, north of Boston, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. Upon her college graduation she enrolled at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary located near her alma mater, and received her Master of Arts Degree in Religious Education. A resident of St. Augustine for the past 20 years, she and her husband, Craig, a retired ordained minister, enjoy living close to their daughter and son-in-law who have given them the gift of many grandchildren. Mary Lou joined the staff in 2009 and is proud to be a part of an outstanding funeral home, where families are cared for with fairness and compassion.

Dick Talbert, Funeral Service Assistant

In Memory of Gary Croyle, Funeral Director & Embalmer / Former Owner

In Memory of Donna J. McRorie, Family Service Coordinator, Pre-Arrangements, Grief Coordinator

Donna is a Family Service Counselor who helps assist families in making their pre-arrangements for family members or themselves in a caring compassionate way. Whether families are asking for assistance with service information, starting a permanent file or prefunding their final arrangements, Donna is always willing to help. Donna joined Randy and George in August of 2004 and has been a part of their funeral home ever since. Donna also assist with families who have experienced the loss of a love one connect with various local Grief Groups and available private counseling in the area. Donna also takes part in coordinating our annual Holiday Workshop every year, since holidays are especially hard for families after the loss of a love one.

In Memory of Susie Russell

May 4, 1946 - April 7, 2019
Former Bookkeeper

In Memory of Tom Stewart, Funeral Assistant

In Memory of Payton St Clair Ginter, Operations Assistant