Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Owner, Funeral Director, Crematory Operator
Lee Darlington is the founder, owner and the heart
and soul of Darlington Cremation and Burial Service. He diligently ensures the
personalized care, attention to detail, and profound respect that are the
foundations of Darlington are fulfilled with every family member. Lee with the
help of his beautiful wife Amber, and close-knit staff, have created a
no-pressure, affordable, fully inclusive environment and packages. Amber and Lee have spent endless hours tailoring
their beloved funeral home to create a completely customizable space to honor
your loved one.
Lee was born in Dover, New Jersey and moved around
the country with his family due to his father’s engineering career for the
Kaiser Corporation and his mother’s nursing career. Lee Darlington enjoyed a
childhood full of adventure following his parent’s careers and his own career
path and has lived all over the United States; from New Jersey, Washington,
California, West Virginia, Utah, Idaho, Kentucky, Texas, Washington DC,
Montana, and as far as New Zealand. Through these travels he immersed himself
in varying cultures, religions and traditions, shaping him into the intuitive
funeral director that he is today.
Lee graduated from Goldendale High School in
Goldendale, Washington. He attended university at BYU-Idaho, Utah Valley State
College, The Armed Forces Academy of Health Sciences, Purdue University, and
San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He served in the US Army as a 91D
Surgical Technologist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Early
on, he humbly carried out his mission for the church in New Zealand. He worked
in healthcare as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Certified Registered
Central Services Technologist (CRCST), and Materials Management. Lee has served
as a funeral director, embalmer, crematory operator, and manager and
trainer/mentor for over two and a half decades.
Lee and Amber are
blessed with five loving children; Jay (Gina), Janelle (Alex), Nathan, Hailee (Bryce)
and Madison (Hudson). When he isn’t meeting with families; Lee is active in his
church and community, attends car shows in his fully restored GMC Sierra C10, and
spends precious moments traveling with family.
Owner, Office Manager
Amber Darlington is the Matriarch and Owner of Darlington
Cremation and Burial. She enjoyed her small-town childhood in Goldendale,
Washington. She loved growing up surrounded by family. She graduated from
Goldendale High School as well and attended college at Columbia River Gorge
Community College and Clark College. Amber met and married the love of her
life, Lee in 1997. Lee and Amber have
been blessed with five loving children; Jay (Gina), Janelle (Alex), Nathan,
Hailee (Bryce) and Madison (Hudson). She has worked as a Certified Nursing
Assistant, in healthcare business offices, and in flood insurance processing in
billing and accounting.
Amber’s nurturing compassion has created the coveted culture at Darlington. When not tirelessly caring for our families, she can be found tending to the growth of every one of her employees, and cultivating Darlington’s involvement in the community. She finds peace tending to her garden, devours all things Disney, is an active member of the church, and can be found cruising the streets of Kalispell with Lee in their Dodge Challenger.
Preneed Specialist, Crematory Operator, Funeral Assistant
Tayvia Wilkinson was born in Kalispell, Montana and
is a proud fourth generation Montanan. After graduation from Flathead High
School, she attended the University of Montana where she studied Anthropology
with an emphasis in Forensic Science. After attending the University of Montana,
she studied at the prestigious American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral
Service in New York. Tayvia is also a licensed life insurance agent in Montana,
which allows her to protect clients’ assets while ensuring Medicaid
eligibility.
Tayvia is known for
her endless compassion. She is an active member of the Kalispell and Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, and several other groups and organizations
in our community. In her spare time, she can be found backpacking in the Jewel
Basin, the Bob Marshall and Glacier Park with her adorable Bernedoodle Olivia.
She’s also a skilled painter, seamstress, and sculptor.
Crematory Operator, Funeral Assistant
April Rhodes was born in Aberdeen, WA. After
graduating from Aberdeen High School with a CNA license, she directly went into
nursing while working at her family’s funeral home. April is currently studying
Mortuary Science at Arapaho Community College to become the third-generation
funeral director in her family.
April is devoted to
family and friends, and can be found in her kitchen baking delicious treats for
her loving husband Philip and her lucky coworkers. April and Philip live in
Kila with their fun-loving German Shepard Depot. April is the heart of our
family. She takes pride in taking care of every individual who walks through
our doors.
Funeral Assistant
Doug Bennett, was born in Hobbs, New Mexico. An
experienced LPN, Surgical Technologist, and served 31 years in the US Army. He
served three deployments overseas. Doug
has been an honored employee of Darlington Cremation and Burial for many years.
When not puttering around the house he can be found tending to his garden,
chickens, or out honing his marksmanship.
Doug’s heart has been stolen by the Montana outdoors and people.