Our Staff

Roger Richie

Funeral Director & Former Owner

Roger was born and raised in South St. Louis City near the iconic Bevo Mill landmark, the youngest of three children of the late George and Gladys Richie, a letter carrier and stay-at-home mom, respectively.

He attended Long and Buder Elementary Schools and graduated from Cleveland High School—Class of June 1966. Roger attended SEMO State University and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Chicago, Il., to become a Missouri licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1971 and the same in Illinois in 1985.

After working at a large south St. Louis funeral home for 10 years, Roger founded a professional embalming and crematory company working 12 years for funeral homes only, and then joined John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes in 1994. In 2006 he became President / Owner.

Roger is married to Linda Henry and has three adult daughters and five grandchildren. At home, Linda appreciates Roger doing all the dishes and making a pot of fresh coffee early every morning.

He grew up in the Christy Methodist Church by Bevo Mill and is now an active member of Concord Trinity United Methodist Church in South County. After work, time is filled with church and family activities, reading (especially motivational materials), and watching special television programs. He has been a member of the Mehlville Optimist Club since 1978.

Roger has always been passionate about funeral service, believing every life is important and needs to be honored. At death, family and friends need to gather to remember and celebrate their loved one and create an opportunity to share love, remembrances, and life experiences.

Dustin Livengood

General Manager

Dustin grew up in Godfrey, Illinois, and graduated from Alton High School in 1995. He is also a graduate of Lewis and Clark College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. With over 20 years of experience in all aspects of funeral service including burial vaults, crematory operations, preparation of the deceased, as well as, cemetery and funeral home management, and extensive knowledge of prearranged funeral plans, he can meet any family’s needs to help them honor their loved one.

Dustin resides with his wife, Kelly, 2 daughters, Lola, and Eleanor, and 3 dogs in Affton, Missouri. In his free time, he enjoys golf, trivia, and attending his children’s activities, and has, along with his wife, a self-described St. Louis Blues Hockey addiction.

Dustin believes that the greatest responsibility he has is to make a significant difference in the lives of the families he has the privilege to serve during one of their most difficult times.

Danan McSellers

Funeral Director

Danan G. McSellers was born in the city of St. Louis, MO. while being raised in Webster Groves, MO, and south city St. Louis, MO. Danan is the eldest of two children, of who were born to Shirley Watson and Daniel McSellers.

Danan attended Webster Groves school district graduating from Webster Groves High School, where she was crowned Friendship Queen of 1992. After high school, she then proceeded to attend Gupton Jones of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia. In June of 1994, she soon after became a licensed funeral director.

Danan is the 5th generation of her previously owned family funeral home, S. J. Watson Mortuary. S. J. Watson was established in South City St. Louis in 1913. She is also the eldest granddaughter of the late H.D. & Thelma Watson Daniel & Maxine McSellers. Growing up in the funeral home, she has assisted her grandmother and mother alongside two of her siblings, Otis Hudson and the late Daniel W. McSellers, Sr. since the tender age of 9 years old. Danan has also coordinated the infamous ‘Let’s Get Acquainted’. She has also found that being a funeral director is a ministry of its own and it is her calling to help grieving families in their dire time of need. After the family business officially ceased in 1992, Danan then went on to work throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan, Cedar Hill & Bonne Terre area as a director with other funeral homes until joining John L. Ziegenhein & Sons on August 6, 2019.

Danan is also the proud mother of three beautiful children, Jasmine Cutts, Dezmond McSellers, and Marketa Wagner, and wife of over 20 years to DaMon Douglas.

Nick Vize

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Nick was born and raised in Saint Louis City. He graduated from De Smet Highschool in 2014 and immediately pursued an education in Mortuary Science and Funeral Services at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. After Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2018, Nick began his funeral career as a funeral director and Embalmer. In December 2021, Nick became a member of the John L. Ziegenhein Funeral Team.

After experiencing a tragic and sudden loss at the age of 15, Nick became more familiar with the funeral industry. In the following years, he would be driven towards becoming an embalmer and funeral director through his talent for art as well as his passion to help others. Once he became a fully licensed funeral director and embalmer, Nick became determined to make a positive impact on the industry and the people around him.

Outside of work, Nick can be quite the handyman, whether it is building something new or repairing something that needs fixing. Additionally, he is also a writer who is most known for his poetry consisting of sad memorial poems, comical stories, and inspiring themes. Likewise, Nick also enjoys putting a smile on people’s faces and often do so by making people laugh. He also does a lot of cooking with an emphasis on healthy foods. Furthermore, he also exercises daily doing activities such as weightlifting, abdominal exercises, running, biking, and active sports. As an artist, Nick also finds time to sketch portraits on occasion. He is also an avid reader and enjoys a variety of topics such as mythology, history, and science. As a man who enjoys the outdoors, Nick likes to feed his local birds and admire the beauty of nature while taking long walks.

Angie Dickens

Administrative Supervisor

With over five years of dedicated experience in the funeral home industry, Angie Dickens serves as the Administrative Supervisor at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons. In this role, Angie is responsible for managing the essential “behind-the-scenes” operations and ensures the office runs smoothly. Affectionately known as the “Office Mom,” Angie is a key figure in maintaining a supportive and efficient work environment.

Before transitioning to the funeral home business, Angie had a successful career as a licensed real estate agent for nearly 12 years. During this time, she not only excelled in sales but also played a pivotal role in training and managing other agents, showcasing a strong commitment to professional development and leadership.

Angie grew up in St. Louis and has resided in Jefferson County for almost 30 years. Outside of work, she has been happily married for almost 45 years and is a proud mother of three children, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of one. Angie’s dedication to both family and career highlights a life rich in both personal and professional achievements.

Sontez Williams

Family Service Director

Sontez Williams was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. He graduated from Hazelwood West high school and followed his dream of attending Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA to obtain his degree in Mortuary Science. He started in the death care industry at 15 years old as a funeral attendant. He has worked in all aspects of the industry. He is the youngest boy of a blended family of 10 and has a God-Daughter that he loves like his own. He believes that God chose this industry for him and often tells families that service is his name and dignity is his trademark.

Ashley Cothren

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Ashley A. Cothren is a licensed funeral director and embalmer at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home, a premier provider of funeral services in Saint Louis, Missouri. With a heartfelt dedication to her profession, Ashley has been instrumental in helping families plan and arrange meaningful and personalized tributes for their loved ones, ensuring each service is a unique celebration of life.

Ashley is highly skilled in all aspects of funeral service. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science from Saint Louis Community College Forest Park, where she excelled in her studies. As a proud member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Ashley is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in her work.

Passionate about lifelong learning, Ashley continually seeks to expand her knowledge and stay ahead of the latest trends and innovations in funeral service. Her dedication to education ensures that she can provide the most compassionate and up-to-date care to the families she serves.

Ashley’s professional goal is to offer the highest quality of care and dignity to every family she serves. She strives to create memorable and meaningful experiences that honor and celebrate the lives of the deceased, leaving a lasting impact on those she helps.

Ashley is a devoted dog mom who cherishes every moment with her furry friends—especially when they’re not chewing on her favorite shoes. A proud resident of Kirkwood, she carries the warmth and charm of her upbringing in Oakville, Missouri, wherever she goes. 🌟

Ashley welcomes any inquiries or feedback regarding her services or the funeral industry in general.

Emily Potter

Funeral Director

Emily was born in North County Saint Louis before moving to Illinois for a handful of years where she attended high school before going to college for biopsychology in Granite City, IL and Carlinville, IL, respectively.

In summer 2021, Emily and her husband moved from Edwardsville, IL to South City Saint Louis where she promptly fulfilled her years-long intention to enter the funeral industry by joining the team at Ziegenhein South City, close to her home. Her responsibilities at the funeral home quickly increased and Emily cemented herself into the team, certain that assisting families in their time of emotional need was a calling that she would rise to.

After obtaining her Missouri Apprentice Funeral Director License in December 2023 and Missouri Funeral Director License in March 2025, Emily has continued to learn how to best help and advise families every day under the insightful guidance of the licensed funeral directors and experienced staff at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes. She looks forward to bringing peace and closure to families in her community for many years to come. Aside from her work, Emily loves baking, ballet, and, of course, her blessed family.

Brian Akerson

Consultant