Our Experienced Staff

Each of the staff members at Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is committed to providing your family with the finest in personal end-of-life care. In fact, for years, it’s been comforting for area families to know that we are available to help at any time of the day or night.

When a loved one dies, all you need to do is make one phone call. From that moment on, we’ll take on the responsibilities of the physical care of your loved one, and the emotional care of those left behind.

Please take a few minutes to get to know our funeral home staff. We’re sure you’ll find each of us to be all that you would hope for in a trusted funeral professional.
 

Neil J. Ahola, Owner Manager/Director Neil is a third Generation Funeral Director and lifelong resident of Hancock. He is a graduate of the Hancock High School with the Class of 1988, attended Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Sicence in Wheeling, Illinois. Since joining his father at the funeral home in 1992 he has been very active in the community, currently he is a member of the Hancock Fire Department where he has served as Secretary, and as Assistant Chief. Other Organizations he has been involved in include: Chassell Lions Club where he has served as King Lion, the Hancock Rotary Club where he has served as President of the club, Michigan Tech Blue Line Club serving as President, The Hancock Central High School Foundation Board, Board of Control member of Phi Kappa Theta-Chi Rho chapter of Michigan Technological University. He is a member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where he has served as Vice-president of the Church council and helped with many committees. In his choosen profession he has stayed involved by serving as Sec./Treas. of District #10 (The Upper Peninsula)of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and served as President of District #10. He also served as district Director for district #10. Also to keep active he had enjoyed golfing in the Wyandotte Hills Golf Course Men's League. He and his wife Tammy have 1 son Zachary.

David Plowe, Mgr. & Director

Christine G. Ahola, Office Manager Chris was born in Hancock, and raised in Winona. She was married to Jim Ahola, and spent most of her earlier, married years, raising their 2 children, Connie & Neil. She has worked at the funeral home since 1985, as Office Manager. Chris is a member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock and has served on many committees for the church & is a past Sunday School Teacher. She is a member & past Treasurer of the Portage Hospital Auxiliary, member & past Treasurer of the Hancock Business & Professional Association, past President of the Martha & Mary Society of Suomi College, now Finlandia University, and the Wyandotte Hills Women's Golf League. She has one grandchild, Zachary.

James E. Ahola, Former Manager/Director Owner James E. Ahola, was a second generation Funeral Director, he was born and raised in Hancock, MI. He was a graduate of the Hancock High School with the class of 1964, attended the former Soumi College in Hancock, and Michigan Technological University in Houghton, and was a graduate of the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1968. He also received the Val L. Beyers Citation while attending W.I.M.S. in Milwaukee for excellence in Practical Embalming. He was a member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock, having served previously as the Church Council President, and was a member of the Jacobsville Committee of the church. He was a member and a past President of Kiawanis Club of the Copper Country, the past Treasurer of the Wyandotte Hills Mens Golf League, and was a member of the Copper Country Lodge #135 F.& A.M., Keweenaw-Bay Shrine Club, the Ahmed Temple Shriners of Marquette. He was the North Hospital Chairman for the Keweenaw-Bay Shrine Club, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #382 of Hancock. He married the former Christine G. Lindeman of Winona, MI, and was the father of 2 children: Connie Lynn and Neil James Ahola, Grandfather of Zachary James Ahola. He was a member of the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department for over 28 years, having served as their Fire Chief for 21 years. He was also past treasurer of the Copper Country Firefighters, and the Upper Peninsula Fire Fighters Associations. Previously he has been on the Lions Clubs of Dollar Bay, South Range, and Hancock, the Copper Country United Way Board. The Salvation Army Board of Hancock, and was a member of the Hospital Board for the City of Hancock. He was also a former Exalted Ruler at Lodge #381 B.P.O.E. of Hancock, and was a member of the Lodge #404 B.P.O.E. of Calumet. He also is serving as Vice President of the Portage Health Systems Foundation Board. Jim has also had been very active in his choosen profession, having served as past Director for Distrct #10(the Upper Peninsula) of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, and is a member of the National Funeral Directors Associaiton. Rest in Peace 1946-2007