History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

HISTORY OF DELLINGER FUNERAL HOME

J. Frank Dellinger was born April 13, 1858, and Minnie Lee Grim was born July 9, 1864. They were married December 9, 1880 in Hamburg, Va. J. Frank and Minnie started the funeral home in 1883 in Hamburg and called it the J. Frank Dellinger Funeral Home. J. Frank graduated from the Philadelphia Training School for Embalmers. He was licensed by the State Board of Embalming of Virginia on May 23, 1910. He and his wife opened a business in Mt. Jackson in 1909 and named it the J. F. Dellinger Funeral Home.

Vernon Lee (Pete) Dellinger, son of Frank and Minnie, was born June 17, 1889. He married Virginia Belle Stickley on December 19, 1909. Pete and Virginia lived with J. Frank until they built a house at Hamburg. Pete helped his father in the undertaking business and had his own planer mill. He also built houses for other people. In 1916, Pete and his wife bought the Alice Dodson place and opened a business in Conicville. The names of the funeral homes were changed to Dellinger and Son. After his father’s passing, Pete continued to run the Conicville and Mt Jackson businesses. In 1924, he moved everything to the Mt. Jackson location. In 1939, Pete Dellinger bought out the Frank Fravel Funeral business of Woodstock and built the funeral home located in Woodstock. Opening days were in August of 1940. In 1947, Pete bought the S.P. Lonas property, then known as the Ford Saum residence in Mt. Jackson and converted it to the present funeral home there.

Pete and Virginia had three children: Elwood Dellinger was born Feb. 18, 1913. He received his funeral license in 1934. He died on May 9, 1959 and had no children.

Sadie Dellinger was born April 13, 1917. She married Clyde W. Heishman. They had three children, Vernon Heishman, C. Dennis Heishman, and Bonita Heishman. Vernon had three boys; Dennis had a son and a daughter, all of whom were married in the chapel.

Pete’s third child was Margaret Virginia Dellinger who was born February 7, 1921; she married David Stanley Kagey who became a licensed funeral director in 1950. They operated the funeral home in Mt. Jackson. They had two children. Janelle Kagey Fadely who is a licensed fourth generation funeral director, retired and she had a son, David Lee Litten who is a fifth generation funeral director retired. Margaret and Stanley’s son, V.L.D Kagey is a former funeral director but is not currently employed with the family business.

Our Valued Staff

  • Jerry Ray Litten

    Jerry Ray Litten, General Manager/Licensed Funeral Service Provider

    Jerry is the General Manager of Dellinger Funeral Homes. He is the husband of Rev. Stephanie Heishman-Litten, fifth generation of the Dellinger Family, and father of Corey Litten and Kaitlin Litten who both work at Dellinger Funeral Homes. He served his country faithfully in the United States Marine Corps and attended Lord Fairfax Community College for general studies towards his degree from John Tyler Community College where he graduated and received his Associates in Applied Science, majoring in Funeral Service. With over 30 years’ of experience, Jerry brings a lot of knowledge to the business.

  • John Dorrin

    John Dorrin, Funeral Assistant

    John Dorrin has been devoted to Dellinger Funeral Homes for over 40 years. John has grown up in this community and graduated from Central High School. He is married to Diane Dorrin and has 3 children.

    In his free time, John enjoys hunting, home projects, spending time with his family, and the great outdoors.

  • Gary Comer

    Gary Comer, Funeral Assistant

    Gary Comer has been with Dellinger Funeral Homes for over 44 years. Gary and his wife Patsy Comer currently reside at our Theis Chapel in New Market. Gary oversees everyday business and is there for the town of New Market in their time of need. Gary enjoys helping the New Market community in any way possible. He is also a caretaker at various cemeteries in New Market and is a Notary Republic for the state of Virginia.

  • Matt Litten

    Matt Litten, Funeral Assistant

    Matt Litten, a 6th generation Dellinger, has been with Dellinger’s since 2016. Matt graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School and graduated from Blue Ridge Community College with an Associates in Business Management. He is the son of David and Mindy Litten. He is also the grandson of Janelle Kagey, one of the previous owners and funeral directors at Dellinger Funeral Homes.

    In Matt’s free time, he enjoys hunting and spending time with his girlfriend, Justine Jordan.

  • Corey Litten

    Corey Litten, Funeral Assistant

    Corey Litten, a 6th generation Dellinger, has been with Dellinger Funeral Homes since 2015. He was born in Woodstock, Virginia, graduated from Central High School, and is the son of Jerry and Stephanie Heishman- Litten.

    Corey is happily married to Jordan Litten and raising a family of two along with many fur babies. Corey enjoys spending time with his family and playing video games.

  • Kaitlin Lawyer

    Kaitlin Lawyer, Office Assistant/Funeral Assistant

    Kaitlin Lawyer, a 6th generation Dellinger, currently has been working at Dellinger Funeral Homes since January of 2021. Throughout her childhood and early adulthood, Kaitlin would help out at the funeral home when needed. She attended James Madison University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies with a concentration in Crime and Criminology along with a minor in Criminal Justice.

    Kaitlin Lawyer is the daughter of Jerry and Stephanie Heishman-Litten. She is married to Joshua Lawyer and has two fur children. Kaitlin enjoys hunting, spending time with her family, weightlifting, and walking.

  • Wayne Shaffer

    Wayne Shaffer, Part-Time Funeral Assistant

    Wayne Shaffer has been an employee of Dellinger Funeral Homes for over 40 years. He is currently a part-time employee assisting at the funeral home. Wayne enjoys riding his motorcycle and spending time with his animals.