Meet our Team

Ashley Dinneen

Managing Partner

Ashley was born and raised in Modesto, California; she attended Modesto High, Modesto Junior College, and finished her education at California State University, Stanislaus, earning her Bachelor's degree in Forensic Anthropology. Ashley comes from a farming background in West County Modesto in the Wood Colony area, where her family has farmed almonds for three generations.

Ashley was brand new to the funeral industry when she started at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home in May 2012. Previously, she interned at the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office working as an autopsy tech. She also coached competitive gymnastics for ten years prior to joining Franklin & Downs. In March 2015, Ashley took the position of Managing Partner for Deegan Funeral Chapels in Escalon and Ripon.

Ashley and her husband, Garrett, have 5 children and enjoy spending time at the beach, traveling, and boating.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Matthew Parrott

Site Safety Coordinator

Matthew Parrott was born and raised in Modesto graduating from Modesto High School.  He is responsible for security and safety regulations for the funeral home.  He is extremely diligent in assuring that all operations within the funeral home meet the high standards set forth by our mission statement. 

Matthew has worked for Franklin & Downs since March of 2018.  He looks forward to completing his college education and advancing within the company.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Brenda Gomez

Administrative Assistant

Brenda is one of our bilingual (English/Spanish) staff members who currently works full-time as an administrative assistant. She works very diligently to make sure that every family member has proper permits and death certificates. When the need arises, Brenda also meets with families as a funeral arranger. Brenda was raised in Waterford, California, graduating high school from Waterford High School and currently resides in the Ceres area.

Brenda and her son are members of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where they attend Sunday morning mass. She is an avid Dodgers fan and enjoys cheering for her son’s many sports activities. Brenda looks forward to continuing her education.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Melissa Lawson

Associate

Melissa is a Funeral Planning Associate who joined our team in October 2020. Melissa has a phenomenal rapport working with the families we serve. She is engaging, compassionate, and extraordinary at planning detailed, organized, and meaningful services for all involved.

In case you noticed, we have two Lawsons on our team, yes, Melissa is married to Dave Lawson, and together they have three exceptional children. Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, and they are all committed to a healthy lifestyle, consistently go running, biking and maintaining a healthy diet.

Melissa and her family are active parishioners attending All Saints Catholic Church in Turlock. Both Melissa and her husband are part of the Vocations Ministry Team. They support and pray for those discerning their life's vocation within and outside religious orders. Melissa and her husband are also the Secretaries for the Turlock Pentecost Association. Serving Turlock and the surrounding communities within Stanislaus and Merced counties. 

Melissa has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Community Health. She also has her Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Melissa was born in Southern California and raised in Clovis, CA. She graduated from Clovis High School, where she ran Varsity Cross-Country all four years. She then attended Fresno City College and graduated from California State University, Fresno.

Melissa is grateful to work with our client families and supporting them through their most difficult times. Her work is meaningful, and she enjoys using her creativity to assist families in organizing a meaningful tribute to honor their loved one's life.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

David Lawson

Associate

Dave Lawson is a Funeral Arranger who joined our team in September 2020. He has a fantastic rapport with his team, along with the families that he does help. He is highly organized, detail-oriented, compassionate, engaging, and enthusiastic towards the families he helps. Dave is married to one of our funeral directors, Melissa Lawson, and together, they have three wonderful children and three dogs. Dave enjoys spending time with family at every moment possible.

Dave has several activities and organizations to which he does belong. He did teach himself how to play guitar, write music, work out routinely, and live a clean and healthy lifestyle. He is also active in his church, All Saints Catholic Parish in Turlock, CA. Dave is on the Vocation Ministry Team, A Eucharistic Minister, taught first-year Confirmation for ten years, and was on the parish council from 2020 – 2023. Dave has also been the secretary for the non-profit organization Turlock Pentecost Association from 2018 to – the present.

Dave has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University Fresno. Dave was born and raised in Clovis, California, where his father was Mayor. Dave moved his family to Turlock in 2004 to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

When Dave’s father passed away, he did not have an enjoyable experience with the funeral home that helped his family. After that, he made a conscious effort to make sure families experienced the most positive closure during this challenging time. His work is significant, and he is highly creative in helping families celebrate their loved ones. Dave looks at this as a vocation, not just a career.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

LeRoy Hart

Funeral Director/Embalmer

In 1957, during his junior year in high school, Leroy Hart began his funeral career in Sioux City, Iowa at Berkemier Funeral Home. His job duties included assisting with funeral services and the usual duties associated with funeral homes.
After graduating in 1959, Leroy voluntarily entered the U.S. Armed Services and served as a Third Class Yeoman in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington and made a Western Pacific Cruise. When Leroy was discharged, he returned to his hometown and married his high school sweetheart, Cecelia, on February 3rd, 1962.

After a short time, they relocated to Los Angeles, where they both were employed in the aerospace industry at Northrup Corporation. During that time, he attended Junior College and in April 1964, he enrolled in the California College of Mortuary Science, graduating in April 1965. By this time, a daughter was born, and it was time to begin his career in Funeral Service. This is when they made their home in Modesto and Leroy began working at Franklin & Downs Funeral Homes. Their son was born shortly after their move to Modesto, completing their family.
After seven years with Franklin & Downs, his career was interrupted, and for two years, LeRoy managed Dreyer’s Ice Parlor/Restaurant in Modesto. He then returned to Franklin & Downs as a part owner and joined Lew Franklin, Sr.,  Lew Franklin, Jr., and Saxon Downs, resuming his career path. He continued to serve our community as a corporate Vice-President and Funeral Director with the firm.

In 1972, Leroy became a Christian and has been a faithful and active member of CrossPoint Community Church. He is a member of the Modesto Rotary Club, where he has held several chairmanships over the years.

Leroy is currently retired and enjoys spending quality leisure time with his family and friends.

Ken Moren

Ambassador

Rev. Ken Moren is an ordained minister with 50 years of ministry. He is a graduate of Gateway Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree. He and his wife Brenda have been married for 57 years. They have two sons, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Ken enjoys, traveling, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. As an Ambassador of Franklin and Downs, he provides chaplaincy and bereavement care for those in need.

Scott Hunter

Ambassador

Scott Hunter began his Franklin & Downs Funeral Home career in 2021. He has been married to his wife, Pamela Hunter, for 13 years and they have three sons together. Scott was born in San Jose, California and has lived locally since 1997. Scott enjoys listening to music, playing guitar and sports.

Scott works alongside the directors to help facilitate services, gravesides, and any special requests.

"A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal." - Steve Maraboli
Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Christian Onofre

Associate

Christian Onofre is a bilingual, Spanish-speaking funeral arranger who joined the Franklin and Downs team in 2022 as a part-time associate.

During his time working as an associate, he found great satisfaction in guiding families through the funeral process, helping to honor their loved one's life with every drive, and setting the stage for a heartfelt goodbye. Now, as a Funeral Arranger, he continues to be passionate about providing a comforting atmosphere and personalized funeral arrangements for families.

Christian was raised in Modesto, California, where he graduated from Modesto High School's Performing Arts Academy. He also enjoys spending time continuing his family's tradition of raising songbirds of all kinds in his aviaries. He hopes to further his education by attending mortuary college and becoming a licensed funeral director.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Lynn Esquivel

Front Office Administrative Assistant

Lynn Esquivel is one of our administrative assistants and started with Franklin & Downs Funeral Home in 2019. She has been married to her husband, Sergio Esquivel Jr., for 22 years and the mother of 20-year-old son, Sergio Esquivel III. Lynn was born in San Jose, CA and currently resides in the Modesto area. Some of her hobbies that she loves include camping, swimming, fishing, cooking, and hosting holidays for her family.  

Lynn assists with questions in difficult times of grievance for families and works hard to make the memory and celebration of their loved one memorable. 

“A funeral is a time of remembrance and ceremony. I believe it is our challenge to help a family create a comforting celebration that affords them the opportunity to remember their loved one the way they want to.” - Lynn

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Felisha Brody

Administrative Assistant

Felisha Brody is one of our administrative assistants who joined our team in September 2023. She has ten years of experience in administrative duties while working at a foster family agency and with the Senior Adults & Congregational Care ministries at her previous church. During this time, she was also working towards her bachelor’s degree and finally completed her goal after almost 14 years! She attended Modesto Junior College for 10 years and earned her associate’s in General Studies: Social & Behavior Sciences and graduated from CSU Stanislaus in May 2023 with her bachelor’s in Sociology with a minor in Gerontology.

She enjoys working on our team and helping in any way she can, whether it is paying the bills, answering phones, cleaning around the office, providing support to our directors, or helping with a service. Having an opportunity to care for our families during their most difficult time is something that is very important to Felisha. She looks forward to completing her funeral director’s license one day so she can start meeting with families.

Felisha has lived most of her life in Modesto. She loves supporting local small businesses and charities! She has been married to her husband, Nick, for almost 12 years (July 2012), and they have a 5-year-old husky/malamute mix named Piper, who they adopted in March 2021. Some of Felisha’s hobbies include going to local coffee shops, spending time with her nephew, Zachariah, video chatting with her nieces and nephew who live in Alaska (Hudson, Reagan, & Landon), exercising, serving in the Special Needs ministry at Shelter Cove Community Church, and traveling to the beach or mountains with Nick and Piper when time permits!

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Gabriel Estrada

Gabriel Estrada joined our team at Franklin and Downs in 2023, with previous experience at funeral homes in Utah.

He was born and raised in Turlock, CA, and worked for his family's business for seven years.

After experiencing personal loss and having the opportunity to assist in dressing and caring for his loved one, Gabriel was inspired to join the funeral profession and extend the same high level of attention to the deceased and comfort to those in grief. In 2019, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to pursue his education in Mortuary Science and completed his requirements in the summer of 2023.

Gabriel is always ready to help, and his warm personality and strong work ethic makes him an asset to our team. His passion is serving our families with dignity and understanding. In his free time, Gabe likes to be outdoors, canoeing, hiking, and taking pictures of the scenery.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Yoaly Maerzluft Valenzuela

Yoaly Maerzluft Valenzuela was raised primarily in Fresno, CA. She moved to Stockton, CA to pursue her education in mortuary science at American River College after completing her general-ed at Fresno City College. Yoaly is one of our bilingual (English/Spanish) staff members who currently works full-time primarily as the Embalmer. Yoaly started and completed her apprenticeship while working at Franklin & Downs and going to school full-time. She has her mortuary science degree and is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. She truly enjoys what she does in assisting families during their final viewing and takes immense pride in the work she does and believes in going above and beyond for each family. In her downtime she enjoys spending time with her husband and her sweet dog, Chance, and visiting her family in Fresno every chance she gets. Yoaly hopes to continue to grow with Franklin & Downs and go back to school to get her bachelor’s in art history.

Telephone: 1-209-529-5723

Email: 

Jonathon Hammonds

Jonathan joined the team at Franklin and Downs Funeral Home in June of 2019. He is passionate about serving and walking along side families to commemorate their loved one.

Early on, Jonathan was trained and worked alongside Leroy Hart and Ken Shaffer, both of whom were funeral directors hired by the founders; Lew Franklin Sr., and Saxon Downs. He holds the knowledge of the etiquette and standards they sowed into him with high regard.

He is married to his wife Amy, and is a dad to three children: Josiah, Emily, and Isaiah, who are his world! Any spare time he has, he spends with his family as well as being very active in the church they attend.

Jonathan considers it an honor and privilege to be part of the staff at Franklin and Downs Funeral Home, and is proud of the service they provide to the community of Stanislaus County.