Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
Learn the legacy.
Cornwell Woodburn and Wilsonville Funeral Chapels was founded in 1933 by J. Melvin Ringo in Woodburn, when he purchased the business on the corner of First and Garfield. Within a few years the business moved across the block to 2nd and Garfield where expanded facilities became available. As the family business continued to grow, Charles Cornwell, Melvin's son-in-law joined the business after serving in WWII. Charles and his wife Lou Jane continued the business over the next 60 years. Recognizing a growing and underserved population, construction of a new chapel in Wilsonville was completed in 1995, making it the first new funeral home in the state of Oregon in over 20 years. The amenities include the most up to date facilities with the attention to detail that makes any family feel immediately welcomed.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Neil Schaefer
Manager / Funeral Director
Neil is a native Oregonian, he was born and raised in Keizer, where he graduated high school in 1996, and then college in 2002 from Western Oregon University. He started working in the funeral industry in 2012.
Since becoming a funeral director Neil has been privileged to get to know and serve the families of Woodburn, Wilsonville and the surrounding areas. Funeral service is a career that he had never envisioned, but now can’t see himself doing anything else. In addition to helping families at the time of need, he also helps families set up pre-arrangements and carry out the families wishes.

Bill Bollman
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Bill has worked in the funeral business for nearly 50 years and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. He couldn't imagine life without serving the families he cares about. Bill's hobbies include watching sports on the weekends, visiting with his extended family, and most of all cruising around town in his two seater convertible sports car.

Jennifer Jeffries
Office Manager
Jennifer was born in Portland and grew up in Hillsboro, graduating from Hilhi.
She has been married to Kim Jeffries for 44 years and has a daughter Stacy and son Stan.
She enjoys spending time with her 5 grandchildren, Kendal, Cody, Danny, Ian and Emily.
In her spare time she enjoys gardening, horse camping, and traveling.
Jennifer began working for the funeral home 23 years ago assisting families in her office.

Tess Tofell
Apprentice
Tess grew up in Southern Oregon and moved to Portland in 2019 to pursue a career in the funeral industry. She is currently attending college to study mortuary science.
In her spare time, Tess enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with her cat, Merlin.

Alex Howe
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Alex was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and is a 2019 graduate of Mt. Hood Community College's Funeral Sciences program. She started her career working for a trade service in Portland, spent a significant amount of time managing a pet crematorium, and joined our staff January of 2022. She has been fully licensed since August of 2020. When asked why she wanted to be a Funeral Director / Embalmer Alex simply says, "because working in the funeral industry gives me the opportunity to do the last kind service for another person."
In her off time, Alex enjoys gardening, fixing up her home and 3d printing. Alex's immediate family includes a boyfriend, teenage daughter, and two dogs, April and Beetle Juice.
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