We are excited to announce that Warren-McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services in Lawrence and Eudora, Kansas have joined Newcomer Funeral Service Group. Warren-McElwain complements our group of funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries serving Northeast Kansas. President, John Newcomer said "Our family has known Lisa Manley, Larry McElwain, Phil Padden and the staff at Warren-McElwain for many years, and we are pleased to welcome them to our company and support them as they provide exceptional service to the families of Lawrence, Eudora and surrounding communities.” Speaking of the transition, Managing Funeral Director Lisa Manley shared, “My team and I are honored to serve families in Lawrence and Eudora and are deeply grateful for the trust these communities place in us during difficult times. The Newcomer family shares our values and commitment to personal, compassionate service, and I am confident that together with our caring staff, Warren-McElwain will continue to provide the best care possible to our communities.” The Warren-McElwain name will remain unchanged, and the professional staff, including Managing Funeral Director Lisa Manley, will continue serving families with the same care and dedication they have always provided, with the full support of the Newcomer organization. Pictured from left: John Newcomer, Lisa Manley and Ren Newcomer
We are excited to announce the appointment of Bob Ekins as Vice President of Field Operations at Newcomer Funeral Service Group. In this role, Bob will work closely with our teams across the country, reporting directly to our Chief Operating Officer, Perry Hasselbeck. Bob brings with him nearly 30 years of experience in the funeral and cemetery profession, along with a strong record of leadership, innovation, and service. After earning his degree in Business Management from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, Bob began his career with Batesville Casket Company in 1996. He went on to hold leadership roles with Forethought Financial Services (now Global Atlantic), where he guided funeral home and cemetery owners in trust and pre-need solutions, and Trust 100, a leader in advance funeral planning. Most recently, Bob served at Johnson Consulting Group, one of the largest brokerage and business consulting firms in the industry, advancing to the role of Chief Revenue Officer. “Bob’s deep knowledge of our profession, coupled with his proven leadership and ability to build strong relationships, make him an excellent addition to our leadership team,” said Perry Hasselbeck, COO. “I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to strengthen our operations and serve families with care and compassion.” John Newcomer, President, added: “We are excited to welcome Bob to our organization. His extensive background and commitment to supporting funeral service professionals will be a tremendous asset as we carry forward our mission of providing high-quality, affordable care to the families we serve.” Bob and his wife Katie live in Cincinnati and are the proud parents of two children who are both in college. We are pleased to welcome Bob to the Newcomer team and look forward to the impact he will make for our associates, our profession, and most importantly, the families and communities we serve. September 16, 2025
Recognizing excellence in funeral service.
