Licensed Staff

All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.


Manuel Lakes, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Email: manuel@lakesfuneralhome.com
Website: www.lakesfuneralhome.com
Toll Free Phone: 800-307-0463
Office Phone: 859-986-8416
Fax: 859-986-9397

Manuel Lakes became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in July of 1965.  He along with his father Bart Lakes continued to run Lakes Funeral Home in McKee.  Manuel came to Berea in 1976 and worked for Mildred Wray at Wray Funeral Home for a number of years.

Greg Lakes, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Email: greg@lakesfuneralhome.com
Website: www.lakesfuneralhome.com
Toll Free Phone: 800-307-0463
Office Phone: 859-986-8416
Fax: 859-986-9397

Gregory B. Lakes, Co-Owner, graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Service in 1993, son of Manuel Lakes and Berna Jo Gay Doak, became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, and is the current manager. Greg and his wife Rachel Roberts-Lakes, the daughter of Brenda Wesley of Ohio, reside in Berea and have two children Reva Mallory and MacGregor Blue Lakes. Greg is an active member of the Christ's Church at Union in Berea, serving as Deacon. A member of the Berea LIONS Club, and is currently serving as Central District President of the Funeral Director's Association of Kentucky.

Janel Lakes Davenport, CFSP, Licensed Funeral Director/ Licensed Insurance Agent
Email: janel@lakesfuneralhome.com
Website: www.lakesfuneralhome.com
Toll Free Phone: 800-307-0463
Office Phone: 859-986-8416
Fax: 859-986-9397

In 1996, Janel Lakes Davenport, Co-Owner, joined the staff. Janel is the only active female licensed funeral director in this area. She is also the licensed insurance agent.   She is the daughter of Manuel Lakes and Berna Jo Gay Doak.  Her husband Jerry, also a 1993 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service, is a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home in Lexington. Janel and Jerry reside in Berea and have a son, Jackson Clay and a daughter, Maggie Michelle. Janel is active in her church and community. She is a member of the Berea Younger Woman's Club, past president of the Berea Lioness club, and current board member of the Berea Chamber of Commerce.

Wayne Combs, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: wayne@lakesfuneralhome.com
Website: www.lakesfuneralhome.com
Toll Free Phone: 800-307-0463
Office Phone: 859-986-8416
Fax: 859-986-9397

Wayne Combs joined our firm in the summer of 2012. He is a native of Irvine, KY and now resides in Berea with his wife Pam Perry Combs and grandchildren Summer and Hunter King.
His diverse background and love of serving people connects him with all walks of life. At the end of the 2011 season Wayne finished his thirteenth year at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center as an entertainer and continued to write and host the nation’s second oldest radio program the Renfro Valley Gatherin’ through the 2012 season.
Some of Wayne’s other occupational history include: Berea Tourism specialist, Radio DJ, school bus driver, machinist, museum director, audio/video recording and editing and member of the Calvary Heirs Quartet.
He became an ordained minister January 1st, 2012 and served as Associate Pastor for three years at West Side Baptist Church  
Wayne enjoys serving the community with the Lakes Funeral Home staff.

Paul E. Dean, Licensed Funeral Director
Website: www.lakesfuneralhome.com
Toll Free Phone: 800-307-0463
Office Phone: 859-986-8416
Fax: 859-986-9397

Paul E. Dean, joined our staff in 1996, after his retirement as a sales rep for Kraft General Foods, a native of Clover Bottom, KY in Jackson Co., he is the son of the late Rev. Ray and Suda Davidson Dean and is the husband of Janet Crawford Dean, daughter of Edna Crawford of Berea and the late Elmo Crawford. Paul received his Funeral Directors license in 1999 and is a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. Paul and Jan have two daughters Amy Dean Herronkohl and her husband Ensign Shad Herronkohl, an U.S. Naval Aviator, stationed in Oklahoma and Anne Dean Devere, a teacher with the Madison County school system in Berea.


Maurice Dula, Licensed Funeral Director
Website: www.lakesfuneralhome.com
Toll Free Phone: 800-307-0463
Office Phone: 859-986-8416
Fax: 859-986-9397

Maurice Dula joined our firm in 2009. A western North Carolina native, Maurice Dula received a B.S. in Business Administration from Berea College. Shortly thereafter, he earned his funeral director license from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Maurice became a partner in a funeral home for a while. He then accepted the position of Superintendent of a cemetery and remained in that capacity for over twenty years. Mr. Dula is a past president of the Kentucky Cemetery Association.

He is an ordained minister (retired) and presently working as a leader of the drama team at his church.

Maurice is the husband of Barbara Dula. They have three children and seven grandchildren.