Our Staff
The folks you see below have, combined, over 400 years of service in the Cemetery and Funeral Industry
President
and
General Manager
Michael Ondina
After spending 14 years in professional baseball, first as a player and then as an administrator, Mike started in the cemetery and funeral home industry in 1985. Soon after, he purchased and operated several cemeteries both in Jacksonville and in South Florida.
After being selected to be the General Manager of Evergreen Cemetery in 2012, he put his entrepreneurial experience to work, directing many improvements to the cemetery and expanding services including the addition of the Evergreen Funeral Home and Crematory.
Mike and his wife, Janine, have been married for 41 years and they have two sons and two grandsons. He enjoys sports, automobiles and restoring the beauty of historic places.
Funeral
Director
Rick Swanson
Rick is a graduate from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree. He has extensive managerial experience and has been a funeral director since 1980. Rick accepted a position with Evergreen Cemetery in 2012 as Funeral Director/ Director of Sales. He enjoys working for a privately owned and operated company.
He has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 32 years. They have two children. Rick enjoys travel, fishing, and most importantly helping families through difficult times.
Funeral
Director
Arlen Lesatz
Arlen began his funeral service career in 2007. He graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science. A 53-year native of Michigan, Arlen and his wife Patti relocated to Florida in 2018. Arlen worked in Palm Coast, Florida before accepting a position at Evergreen Funeral Home as a Funeral Director/Embalmer. He takes pride in serving families and helping them honor their loved ones.
Arlen and his wife have been married for 10 years. They enjoy exploring new areas of Florida, frequenting a local gym, visiting grandchildren, and lounging by the pool with their 5 Shih Tzu dogs.
Funeral Director Intern
Janessa Grosch
Janessa graduated in 2024 from Florida State College with a degree in Mortuary Science, she chose this path because of a deep respect for the funeral profession and a calling to support individuals and communities through one of life’s most profound transitions.
Originally from California and having lived in several states, Janessa has called Jacksonville home for the past two years and looks forward to establishing deeper roots in the community. She enjoys photography, creative arts, travel, and continuing to stay connected to the evolving field of deathcare, seeking new ways to serve with purpose and heart.
Controller
Charles Grant
Charles W. Grant Jr. (Charlie) came to Evergreen Cemetery Association in January of 2018. Charlie was born and raised in Jacksonville. He graduated from Stanton College Preparatory School in 1988. He attended Florida State University and he graduated from FSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Charlie is married to Corinne Grant. They have two sons, Charles W. Grant III and Jackson C. Grant. Charlie enjoys spending time with his family and friends, running, sports and investing.
Administration
Louis Schwartz
Louis is a second generation cemeterian, with over 30 years’ experience in the cemetery and funeral home industry. In 1999 he was awarded the designation of Certified Cemetery Executive by the International Cemetery and Funeral Association. He attended Colorado State University and the University of Kentucky. His hobbies include beekeeping, gardening and distance running. Family time is an important time of his life, spending time with his wife, Jeri Lynn and three sons, Maxwell, Samuel, and Adam.
Administrative
Consultant
Freda Parker
Freda works as an Administrative Consultant at Evergreen. She began her career at Evergreen in September 1987. Her hobbies are scrapbooking, photography, and travel. She raised two boys, Travis and Tracey with the help of her husband, Gene. Even though she was born in Georgia she is an avid Gator fan.
Family Service
Counselors
Jessica Carroll
Jessica is a Jacksonville native who attended the University of North Florida and the University of Southern Queensland Australia. She has worked in the industries of travel & tourism and international education. Jessica has lived in three other countries and was contracted overseas with the Department of State prior to her position as a Family Services Counselor at Evergreen.
Jessica joined the Evergreen team in December of 2016. She is both delighted and humbled to be of service to families.
George Lomax
George was born in Phoenix Arizona and was the second oldest of 4 children. He was raised in several states as part of a Marine Corps military family.
At the age of 26 he moved back to Phoenix and in 1993 started his career in the cemetery and funeral home business.
George brings to Evergreen 27 years of professional experience in serving families both at their time of need or with their pre-planning arrangements.
George and his wife Sharon, have four daughters. He enjoys golf, fishing and music. He also attends Church on the west side of Jacksonville.
Dianne L. Conner
Dianne is a self-proclaimed military brat who has been exposed to mortuary and burial detail services her entire life. Following in her Dad’s footsteps, she has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for decades and feels honored to have served the central Florida and North Florida areas. Her family is listed on the Founding Florida Pioneer Settlers website, showing roots primarily from Nassau County, Florida and Charlton County, Georgia.
Dianne comes to Evergreen Cemetery with an associate’s degree in mortuary science, a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on bereavement counseling.
She has volunteered for years with Community Hospice of Northeast Florida as well as the Humane Society of Jacksonville and is an ongoing supporter of No More Homeless Pets.
Dianne has 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, with 5 generations still living.
In her spare time Dianne enjoys doing Irish genealogy research, going to the gun range and RV-ing in the great outdoors.
Receptionist
Belinda Barber-Moore
Belinda started her career with Evergreen in June of 2018. She brings with her 11 years of experience in the Cemetery and Funeral Home business.
Originally from Pompano Beach Florida, Belinda has lived in the Jacksonville area for the past 11years. She has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Belinda enjoys travel and meeting new people and she is an active member of her church.
Accounts Administrator
Rabena Yabut Leonzon
Rabena Leonzon started her career in administration in Evergreen Cemetery Association in October 2024. She graduated from Miriam College (formerly known as Maryknoll College) which is an exclusive all-girls Catholic school with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.
She has twenty-eight years of experience in administration, budget, and human resources. She has worked in higher education and manufacturing prior to joining Evergreen.
Rabena is an avid fan of the Formula 1 Racing Team and she enjoys dancing in Zumba classes and playing golf. She loves spending quality time with her family and friends, traveling, and trying different cuisines.
Maintenance
Barbara Mc Queen
Barbara has been employed at Evergreen Cemetery since 1978. She is in charge of the maintenance of the administration offices and the mausoleum complex. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, reading her Bible, and spending time with her close family and friends. One of her greatest acts of altruism was helping her two nieces complete their college education.
Ground Crew Supervisors
Travis Nelson
Travis and his staff are responsible for the daunting task of maintaining Evergreen’s 167 acres.
Travis joined the Evergreen team in 2015.
He has made his home in Jacksonville for the past 16 years and currently lives in the Springfield area.
Travis is a Navy veteran, and he has a daughter.
In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and riding his motorcycle.
Ryan Cupp
Ryan is a 5th generation cemeterian who started working at Evergreen in 2011. He has worked his way up to Supervisor in charge of the installation of memorials. He also does everything else necessary to help Evergreen run smoothly. Born in Tallahassee, he loves the Seminoles and Jaguars and enjoys playing video games.
Maintenance Team
From left to right
Lafayette Bland, Larry Cooper, Adam Schwartz, Kathleen Peneguy, Shane Williams and Leah Nelson-Ramos
Service Team
From left to right
Raymond Hudson, Zachary Creamer, Joey Smith, Ralph McKenzie and Jonathan Cupp
In Memory of
Richard L. Mueller, CCE
Richard “Dick” Mueller passed away April11, 2023. He served as General Manager of Evergreen Cemetery from 1976 until his retirement in 2012.
He continued to assist Evergreen as a Special Projects Consultant until his passing.
Evergreen was very fortunate to have had his leadership and guidance throughout the years.
He is and will always be missed.
Awards & Accolades
