Meet Our Staff

All of our staff members are dedicated to the Ministry of funeral service - providing quality care and comfort for you and your loss.

Combined, we have almost 75 years' experience and expertise.
Please feel free to contact us with your questions.

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.

 

Click here to read our
on-line obituaries or submit a loving dedication.

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.

Jay A. Lewis
Jay was born in Baltimore, MD in 1960. He is a 1985 graduate of Miami Dade Community College in Mortuary Science who has passed his Florida, Maryland and National Boards & has been licensed in Maryland since 1986. Jay is a 4th generation funeral director whose family business was started in Baltimore in 1893. He is married to Chrissie and has 2 daughters, Candace and Tara and a son, PJ. He enjoys fishing and weight lifting.

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.

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

Freida Berry
Freida is a part time receptionist.

Sandra “Sandy” Muhr-Johnson
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 has three grown children.