Our Staff

Lee Darlington

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.

Amber Darlington

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 through groups such as the Evergreen and Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion Auxiliary. 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 Charger.   

Tayvia Wilkinson

Funeral Director Intern, 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.

April Rhodes

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.

Doug Bennett

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. 

Carter Purdy

Funeral Assistant

Carter Purdy was born and raised in Kalispell, Montana. He is the second youngest in his family of six. He grew up playing baseball since he was six, and continued playing until he was eighteen. He then graduated from Glacier High School. After graduation he left on a two-year proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served people in the state of Nebraska, and the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. As a result of his experiences, he became a fluent Spanish speaker. He enjoyes spending time with his family and friends, playing sports, and hiking and exploring northwest Montana.