Michael Blackburn, Co-Owner
A 1969 graduate of the California School of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, California, Michael moved to Grand Junction in 1975. He re-initiated the Western Slope Funeral Directors' Association and served as its president and as president of the Colorado Funeral Directors' Board. He was a member of the Board of Directors for Community Hospital for 18 years and was chairman for two years. He is also a member and past president of the Grand Junction Rotary Club, serves on the board of Home Health of the Grand Valley, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, the Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army and is a past member of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce. Mike has been very involved in the community, presenting in-service training to nursing homes and conducting tours to schools, church groups and other interested organizations and is also a victims assistant trainer. He believes that education and knowledge make people aware and informed when the time comes for them to make important decisions concerning funerals.

D. Nikki Blackburn, Co-Owner
Nikki began working at the mortuary in 1978 as the pre-paid funeral plan administrator. As of 1990 she has been the Business Administrator. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Counseling and Education Center and worked for many years as a volunteer in the schools. She has also been a volunteer for Grand Junction soccer clubs and associations raising funds and promoting the sport.

Michelle Blackburn Sulley
Michelle has been with the firm since 1993 and handles accounts receivables and payables. She is the General Office Manager and graphic designer. She is married to Lenny and has one son, Nik.

Gary Blackburn
Gary joined Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in 1985. He is a funeral director and embalmer. He is married with five grown children.

Daryl W. Pridy
Daryl is a Western Colorado native from Olathe, Colorado. After graduating from Olathe High School, moved to Portland, Oregon, to obtain an associate degree in Mortuary Science at Mt. Hood Community College, then passed the National Board Exam for Mortuary Science. He has enjoyed working in the funeral service business since 1982, and has served the Grand Junction area for 14 years.

Greg Safewright
Greg entered the funeral business in 1974 at the age of 16. He attended Miami-Dade College in Miami, FL. He is currently the prep room manager and in charge of OSHA compliance at the funeral home.

Melissa Schierland
Melissa has been a licensed funeral director for 15 years. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, with a Bachelors Degree in Mortuary Science. Melissa worked for 15 years in Wisconsin and Minnesota, prior to moving to Grand Junction. She and her husband, Mitch are the busy parents of two children Bailey and Ian.

James R. Lee II
James is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science located in Chicago, Illinois. While attending Mortuary College, he had the privilege of working in predominantly Jewish, Catholic and Protestant funeral homes. He also served under some of the area's most well-known licensed embalmers and funeral directors. After successfully passing the International Conference of Funeral Services Examining Boards Exam, he served in an Embalming apprenticeship at Baue Funeral Homes located in St. Charles, Missouri and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Missouri. He is a member of the Missouri Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association and The British Institute of Embalmers. He is the proud parent of a Miniature Schnauzer named Pete.

Robert D. (Bob) Ferguson
Bob is our receptionist and assistant.

Kathryn Weythman
Kathryn is a part time receptionist.

Sandra “Sandy” Johnson-Austin
Sandra joined Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in June of 2002 as a Certified Preneed Counselor and Veteran’s Burial Benefits Counselor. She earned her CPC from the Funeral Service Education Foundation and is dedicated to enhancing public understanding and professionalism in funeral service through education and research. She is married to Robert and has three grown children.

Robert (Bob) M. Austin

Bob is our pre-need, pre-planning and Veteran's Burial Benefits Counselor. Prior to moving to Grand Junction, he was associated with the funeral industry in Santa Barbara, California, for a number of years. He is married to Sandra and has three grown daughters.