Who We Are

Our staff of professionals has years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each comes to us because we are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service, and professional integrity.

• When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

• Our History

• S.B. Shellibarger started the first Funeral Home in Nampa in Sept. of 1907, where it was located on the corner of 12^th Ave. So. and 4^th St. So. (currently where Key Bank is).

  On April 8, 1911, F.K Robinson bought the Funeral Chapel from Shellibarger. In 1940 Robinson Funeral Chapel moved two blocks to the west (to where we still stand today on the corner of 404 10^th Ave. So.). It was owned and operated by Mr. Fred Robinson until Feb. 1946 when purchased by John & Priscilla Alsip.

  They owned and operated the funeral home until purchased by John Van Manen, Ken King, and George Asselin in 1979. They owned and operated the funeral chapel for 17 years, before affiliating and joining with Carriage Services in Nov. of 1996.

  On Oct. 15, 2000, Alsip Funeral Chapel and Persons Funeral Chapel (which was located at 12^th Ave. So. and 5^th St. So. and was owned and operated by Howard and Norine Persons), merged together to form Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel.

  If you are looking for genealogical information for Nampa residents we are your source. We hold the records to Talley, Edmunds, Walker, and Shepherd Mortuaries along with the others listed above.

  We thank you for the trust that you have placed in us. It is certainly an honor to serve you during a most transitional point in your family’s lives. Please feel free to call us with any questions that you may have. We are simply a phone call away. We look forward to providing our community honest, integrity, professional, personalized, and trusted service for generations to come.

• Our Valued Staff
• 
  John Van Manen, Mortician

  John Van Manen was born in Holland and immigrated with his parents, Tony and Trudy to the US in 1949. His family moved to Idaho in 1962. He is a graduate of Nampa Christian High School, NNU and Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR. John began working at Alsip Funeral Chapel in 1968 and with the exception of being gone to school for a year has been employed at Alsip Funeral Chapel since that time. He has been a licensed funeral director since 1973.
  
  It is a great honor and privilege to have a part in working with so many families over the years during a very difficult time. John sees his work as a ministry and values the many friendships he has made over the years.
  
  John is an active member of the Nampa First Church of the Nazarene where he sings in the choir. He serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Nampa, the CAA board at NNU and the Northwest Christian Credit Union. He has also been a member of the Nampa Lions Club for over 25 years. John has served as president of the Idaho Funeral Service Association and the Nampa Lions Club. John was honored by the Nampa Lions Club in 2008 by receiving the Melvin Jones Award.
  
  He married Debi Tupper in 1971, and they have been blessed with two married children, Angie (Ryan) Martin, Nampa and Brian (Chryste) Van Manen, Kuna and five beautiful grandchildren. John is the son Trudy Van Manen, Nampa and his father, Tony passed away in Feb. of 2008; a brother, Adrian (Bonnie) Van Manen, Oklahoma City, OK; 4 sisters, Betty (Rob) King, Nampa; Willy (Lewis) Dean, Nampa; Jeanie (Jon) Haupt, Boise; and Rachel (Garrett) Miyauchi, Nampa and a number of nieces and nephews.
  

• 
  Brian Warner, Managing Partner

  I was born on September 13, 1967 in Wheatland, Wyoming. I Graduated from Caldwell High School in 1986. I served my Apprenticeship for the Morticians license at Persons-Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Nampa under Howard Persons from 1986-1988. I pitched for the baseball team at Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas for two years and graduated 1990. In 1991 I graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with an Associate in Applied Science Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. Since graduation I have worked at funeral homes here in the Treasure Valley, Kansas City, Missouri, and Spokane, Washington. I returned to Alsip & Persons in the fall of 2006. I have two children, my daughter; Caitlin is attending North Western College in Powell, Wyoming in the Equine Program. My son, Blake is a sophomore at Central Valley High School in Spokane, WA where he excels at football and basketball. I enjoy being back in the Treasure Valley, and enjoy all the recreational sports the area has to offer. I am member of the Nampa Rotary Club, Nampa Chamber, and Meridian Chamber. It is an honor to serve the families in the Treasure Valley area.

• 
  David MacDonald, Mortician

  I was born and raised in Michigan. After graduating from Tecumseh High School and the Department of Mortuary Science at Wayne State University in Detroit, I spent four years in the U.S. Army. Jane and I moved to Denver, Colorado in 1971, where we raised our two boys. In 2001 we moved to Nampa to be close to family. I am a member of the Nampa Kiwanis and First Church of the Nazarene. We have a son in Nampa and one in Seattle, and five grandchildren. My hobbies include genealogy, reading, trains, and collecting baseball cards of Jon Garland.

• 
  Matt Pidjeon, Mortician

  I was born and raised in Boise. I attended school at Bishop Kelly High School. After graduating from high school, I attended Boise State University for 2 years, changing my major several times, I then transferred to Mt. Hood Community College to pursue my Funeral Service Degree and graduated in 2004. I attend Christ The King Church here in Nampa. I love my job, sports, the outdoors, my friends, movies, food, but especially my family. I love to spend time with my three boys, which includes: watching movies, wrestling, and of course playing and watching sports.
  I am a member of the Old Nampa Neighborhood Association Board, Nampa Chamber Ambassador, and Volunteer Fire Fighter and EMT at the Middleton Rural Fire District.
  

• 
  Brenda Miller, Administrator

  I am a native of Nampa. I graduated from Nampa High School and spent 2 years at Boise State University. I married Jan Miller in 1967 and we have 2 sons, Doug of Hawaii, and Jason of Seattle. I have 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren that all live within ten minutes of my home. I worked for First Security Bank/Wells Fargo for 29 years in Nampa and Meridian and had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people. I am a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church and currently a member of the Kid’s Stuff Committee. I have been involved with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for several years and part of a support group for those living with cancer.

• 
  Nicole Phipps, Administrative Assistant

  I was raised in Boise, Idaho and am now raising my family here. My wonderful husband of 16 years, Justin and I have two adorable daughters Amber and Aubrey and one wild cat Darby. I am an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
  I have always had a passion for volunteer work and began fulfilling that passion in highschool working as a mentor with the special needs kids in my school. Recently I volunteered for a local hospice and was deeply touched by the life lessons I learned there.
  I am an aspiring writer who loves to journal and I enjoy reading, quilting and gardening.
  I have been with Alsip’s since 2010 and I feel truly blessed to be working with such caring and considerate people.
  

• 
  Danny Jacobsen, Technical Director / Funeral Assistant

  I was born and raised in Nampa. I have degrees in electronics and physics from Boise State. I am a watch and clock maker, as there are no watch colleges any more, Art Pearson spent many hours teaching me this lost craft. My wife Nancy and I attend the First United Methodist Church. I enjoy designing and making jewelry, fishing, tying flies, prospecting and gem hunting. I have one daughter, Stephanie, from a previous marriage. I have been with Alsip & Persons since January 2009.

• 
  Seth Nettleton, Family Services

  My great grandparents on my maternal side came to the Treasure Valley in 1881. My paternal grandparents came in 1907. I was born in Boise and graduated from Nampa Christian School. I worked for a local business in Boise and Mountain Home for 32 years. Beginning in December of 1999 I started working for the funeral home. In 2001 I became a family services staff member, primarily doing preplanned funerals.
  Over the years I have been involved in The Optimist Club, Chamber of Commerce, MADD, Roadway Ministries, My Church, and being a Father and Grandfather. Some of the activities that I enjoy are my family, traveling, hiking, snowmobiling, and motorcycling.
  

• 
  John Rybarczyk (JR), Funeral Assistant

  I was born and raised in Chicago, IL, graduated from Carl Schurz High School and went to Wright Jr. College for two years. After that time, I took Horace Greeley’s advice to “Go west young man, go west!” I came to visit my brother, Paul who was working at the time for Alsip Funeral Chapel and John Alsip.
  After serving for two years in the Army in France and Germany I returned to Nampa and then to Bend, Oregon to start in the newspaper advertising business. After thirty-three years working in California, Oregon, and finishing 13 years as the Advertising Director here in Nampa for the Idaho Press Tribune, I retired.
  My wife DyAnn and I have raised six children and now have 18 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I’ve been a life long Cubs fan and my claim to fame is my nephew, John Garland, who currently pitches for the L.A. Angels after eight years and a World Series win with the Chicago White Sox.
  I love to play golf and am a member of the Purple Sage Golf Course in Caldwell.
  I’ve been a staff member here at Alsip’s since 1999.
  

• 
  Reggie Edwards, Funeral Assistant / Ambassador

  I was born and raised in Idaho and a life long resident of the Treasure Valley. I attended Marsing and Vallivue Schools and graduated from Vallivue High School. I have a degree in Fire Science from the College of Southern Idaho. I have been a full time professional firefighter for over 30 years and am presently employed full time with the Nampa Fire Department as a Deputy Fire Marshal. I have worked part-time as a Funeral Assistant with Alsip & Persons for the last 5 1/2 years. I have five children ranging from age 12 to 28 years, and four grandchildren. My wife Christine and I are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My leisure time is spent volunteering as a Babe-Ruth baseball coach, and as a Boy Scout Leader. My hobbies include archery and shooting sports, dirt bike trail riding, and exploring the Owyhee Mountains with my son Ryan. My professional goal is to someday retire from the fire department and continue my service with Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel.

• 
  Harold Westlund, Ambassador / Night Attendant

  I was born in Sioux City, Iowa, where I was raised and received my high school education. I graduated from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma and Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.
  Pat and I were married in Madill, Oklahoma in 1952 and have two sons, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
  We have served as pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for 43 years in Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Arizona, and Idaho. And even in retirement we have the privilege of helping in our local Church in visitation and senior ministries and serving people in their time of need through Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel. After a lengthy battle with cancer, Pat, passed away in Dec. of 2009. Some day I will fully retire.
  

• 
  Lisa Knight, Administrative Assistant

  I was born and raised in Southern California, where I was blessed to have a somewhat fairytale-like upbringing. Our home was up on the hillside of a surreal suburban community called Rancho Cucamonga. After marriage, I moved to Idaho (1990) to attend Boise State University with my husband, Brian Knight. I received a bachelor’s in Communication there. Upon graduation, Brian & I found we loved the Boise area so much, we chose to stay here to raise a family.
  We have been married for over 20 years, and have 3 children: Cody attends Nampa High School, where he plays football and runs track; Alexa goes to Lone Star Middle School & is a cheerleader there; Nickolas goes to Willow Creek Elementary & plays Optimist football & K.I.D.S. soccer. I have worked as an administrative assistant in the Boise area for many years.
  My husband, Brian, played football for BSU He is the chaplain for Nampa Fire Dept., officiates weddings, & is a pharmaceutical sales rep. We have both coached many different sports and cheerleading teams up to the semi-pro level, but have most enjoyed experiences coaching kids locally, from grade school to high school levels with Nampa Christian Schools, Optimist Football, Nampa KIDS Soccer, Little League, and more.
  
  My family attends Christ the King in Nampa. I am in charge of the coffee ministry & sing on the worship team. Our whole family loves every minute of being a part of our Church (with a big “C”) family.
  You might also know me as “The Dove Lady,” because for several years I’ve been providing pure white dove releases to the Treasure Valley for special occasions. We are A Breath of Heaven Doves. I adore my birds: They are carefully trained and pampered Rock Doves, and upon their release, they return to our home (they get back before I do!). I like funeral/memorial dove releases best, as they are so spiritual: The way people embrace the symbolism of the doves, in memory of a loved one, is beyond-a-privilege to be a part of. I am thankful to God to get to watch His amazing ministry to people’s hearts through those birds
  

• 
  Earlyn Gilbert, Administrative Assistant

  I was born and raised in California and went from first grade through high school, and some college there.
  My Dad was in the military and my mother is a homemaker. I have one sister and two brothers.
  I have two daughters who, with their families, live in Nampa. I have sixteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and one baby grandson who is in heaven.
  I have lived in Idaho over half of my life and really enjoy living here. Idaho has so much to offer, with the mountains, deserts, lakes, rivers and many other interesting sites.
  I have been at Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel since 2006 and work with a great group of people.
  I am a member of the North Valley Baptist Church in Eagle.
  Interests: Family and friends, reading, listening to music, sewing, knitting, and have done volunteer work with several organizations in Nampa.
  

• 
  Paul Kerr, Mortician / Funeral Assistant

  I was born and raised in Caldwell. I graduated from Caldwell High School in 1982. The day after graduation I started my apprenticeship at Cloverdale Funeral Home in Boise. I graduated from Mt. Hood Community College with an associates degree in Funeral Services and Mortuary Science. Since, I have also worked for Alsip Funeral Chapel from 1993 to 1996, Dakan Funeral Chapel and Hillcrest Memorial Gardens and returned to Alsip & Persons in 2004.
  I live in Caldwell with my lovely wife, Allison, who works as a registered nurse. I also have one son, two stepchildren and one grandson.
  I enjoy biking, windsurfing, sailing, motorcycling and spending time in Cascade during summer months.