About Us

Darlene has called Jacksonville "Home" since 1976 when her family moved from upstate New York. A 1982 graduate of Wolfson High School, she initially pursued a career in nursing, working  at Baptist Medical Center for over a decade. After experiencing a tragic loss in her own family, Darlene found a new passion and commitment to helping others through their grief. This inspired her to become a funeral director, where she could support and protect families during their most vulnerable moments. In 2000, she enrolled in the Funeral Service Program at Florida Community College of Jacksonville, becoming part of its first graduating class in 2002.

Since joining Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home & Cremation Centre in 2002, Darlene has served as Managing Director since 2006 and became the owner in the fall of 2024—a long-time dream. Darlene is a proud mother to five children—Melissa, Nikki, Cory, Lyndsey, and Logan—and a loving grandmother to Makayla, Madison, Hayden, Cameron, Marci, Jameson, and Julia.

Terry is a graduate of St. Petersburg College with an Associate in Science in Funeral Service; he has been employed with Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home & Cremation Centre since 2015. Terry is a Jacksonville transplant coming from Southwest Florida where he began his career in funeral service after a career in nonprofit and animal welfare management. Terry is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Cory is a Jacksonville native and began his career with Quinn-Shalz while in high school.  Cory is a veteran of the United States Army where he completed three tours of service in Afghanistan.  He is also a graduate of Florida State College of Jacksonville with an Associate in Science degree in Funeral Services. He is also a certified crematory operator.  Cory has a son and a daughter.

Damien was born and raised on Florida’s Space Coast before moving to Jacksonville to attend University of North Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he continued his education at Florida State College at Jacksonville, receiving an Associates in Science degree in Funeral Services. In his free time, Damien enjoys camping with friends, playing music, rooting for his favorite hockey teams, running, and most importantly, being with his family. 

Ilex is a dedicated funeral director with a heartfelt commitment to guiding families through one of life's most challenging moments. She holds a Funeral Services Degree from Florida State College of Jacksonville and began her career with Quinn Shalz Family Funeral Home in 2012. She has had the honor and privilege of serving families in the community for the past decade. These experiences continue to grow and equip her with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the delicate intricacies of funeral planning.

Understanding that each family is unique, Ilex approaches her role with a deep sense of patience and compassion, desiring that every service reflects the individuality and cherished memories of the departed and their bereaved. Her goal is to create an atmosphere of comfort that reflects the individuality of the life that is being remembered and celebrated. It is her hope that when their loved one is laid to rest that they feel at peace and content with the services designed to honor their memory. 

She believes in the power of a personalized and compassionate service and is dedicated to supporting people with the utmost care and understanding. Every detail of the funeral service matters and should be handled with precision and respect, ensuring a dignified farewell.

Outside of her role as a funeral director, Ilex enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Being helpful and assisting others in achieving their goals, large or small, not only brings balance to her life but also reinforces her belief in the importance of cherishing every moment. Ilex is happily married to McKinley Climenhaga (retired Navy Chief) and has three sons, Kai, Connor, and Lincoln. She is a third-generation native of Jacksonville and is happy to serve everyone in the community.

Debbie joined the Quinn-Shalz family in 2003. She and her family are longtime residents of Jacksonville Beach.  She has four children and seven grandchildren. 

Jo Ann and her husband Bruce are residents of Jacksonville Beach. She joined us in 2008 and has over twenty years of experience in the funeral industry. Throughout her career, she has assisted families with their prearranged funeral needs in Hawaii, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. 

Mike is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He retired from the United States Air Force with twenty-one years of service to our country. Mike met his wife, Patricia in Germany where she was also stationed. Mike grew up in southern California and relocated to Jacksonville in 2000 after his retirement. He and Patricia have two children and two grandchildren.  Mike joined us in 2015.