Our Staff

Kevin is a native of Marion, KY (Crittenden Co.) but was born in Springfield, IL.  He is a 1991 graduate of Crittenden County High School and a 1993 graduate of Mid-American College of Science.  He began working in the funeral business at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY and Rose-Gilbert Funeral Home in Cave In Rock, IL.  Kevin is the Coroner of Simpson County.  He is a member of First Baptist Church, Franklin, KY.  Kevin is married to Kim Smith-Gilbert and they have 2 children, Brittanie McCoy, husband Will McCoy, and Alex Gilbert.  He has 2 granddaughters, Lennon McCoy and awaiting the second granddaughter in February 2024.  Kevin enjoys playing golf, boating, biking, traveling with Kim, and going to Tennessee Titans games with Alex.  

Kim is a native of Orlinda, TN, but was born in Fort Campbell, KY.  She is a 1992 graduate of East Robertson High School.  She attended Vol-State Community College and was a 2007 graduate of Lindsay Institute of Cosmetology.  Kim is a member of First Baptist Church in Franklin, KY.  She is married to Kevin Gilbert and they have 2 children, Brittanie McCoy, husband, Will McCoy, and Alex Gilbert.  She has 2 granddaughters, Lennon McCoy and awaiting second granddaughter in February 2024.  Kim enjoys walking, biking, traveling with Kevin, finding new restaurants and spending time with Lennon and family.   

Alex is a sixth generation funeral director and embalmer and is currently an undergraduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service where he is studying mortuary science.  In his time at Franklin Simpson High School he played baseball, basketball, and golf.  Alex graduated from Franklin Simpson High School in 2018 where he then went on to further his education at the University of Kentucky.  In the midst of his work there, he received his calling to follow in his fathers footsteps and carry on the Gilbert legacy by serving his hometown community in their times of need.  He is currently a deputy coroner for the Simpson County Coroner's Office and the primary operator of the Gilbert Crematory.  Alex is an avid Tennessee Titans fan; he enjoys catching every game at Nissan Stadium with his dad that he can.  In the warmer months, he enjoys golfing at the country club and spending time with his golden retriever, "Caddie".

Dean is an alumnus of Mid America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, IN where he studied mortuary science.  He, his wife, and two children are residents of Franklin, where they’ve of spent most of their lives. Family is the most integral part of Dean's life but in his free time, he enjoys coastal vacations, cooking, waterfowl and turkey hunting, saltwater fishing, kayaking, simply all things outdoors.

"My family is everything to me and if you are in or out of our facilities, I will treat you and your family as my own; I take a great deal of pride in serving you to the best of my ability. I thoroughly enjoy personalizing your loved one's services here and striving to make your experience with our firm as comforting as I can." - Dean A. Canler

Barbara W. Dillard, Funeral & Visitation Assistant Barbara is a native of Simpson County and a 1961 graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School and attended South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College.

 She retired from the Simpson County Board of Education after 30 years as secretary of the Career and Tech Center. Barbara was also a cheerleading coach and served on the Jr. Miss/DYW Board for several years.Barbara is the proud Mother of her son, Steve Wilkins, who is deceased.

She is a member of Drakes Missionary Baptist Church, where   she taught Sunday School for several years. She began working as a part-time employee at Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory in 2015. 

Barbara enjoys walking and spending time with her family and friends, especially her high school classmates.  

Through the loss of her son, Steve, Barbara has found it comforting to help others cope with their loss, as she knows first-hand what it is like to lose a loved one. She takes pride in being a shoulder to lean on and if nothing else, a good friend.