Dakan Funeral Chapel | Funeral & Cremation Services for Parma, ID - Caldwell, ID

Who We Are

Our staff of professionals has years of experience caring for families from all walks of life. Each comes to us because we are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service, and professional integrity.

When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our History

1911

Clifford Vance "C.V." Peckham

Established Peckham Funeral Chapel and operated the business out of the basement of Peckham Furniture Store located on Main Street in downtown Caldwell, Idaho.

Mr. Peckham was the first president for the Idaho Funeral Service Association 1936-1937.

Clifford Vance "C.V." Peckham

1937

Caldwell, Idaho's pioneer funeral home was completed- Peckham Funeral Chapel.

First and only photo known
to exist of the newly constructed
Peckham Funeral Chapel.

T.W. Dakan became a partner in the firm and the name was changed to Peckham-Dakan Funeral Chapel.

Thomas Wilbur
"T.W." Dakan

1955

C.V. Peckham, pioneer Caldwell, Idaho funeral director, died December 23, 1955 at the age of 75 years.

Mr. Peckham

1957

In 1957, a branch facility was built in Parma, Idaho to serve the west end of Canyon, Malheur, and Owyhee Counties.

Photo of the newly
constructed Parma Branch.

1972

James R. "Jim" Dakan became owner and the name was changed to Dakan Funeral Chapel.

James R. "Jim" Dakan

1996

Dakan Funeral Chapel merged with Carriage Services and longtime Dakan employees Douglas K. Reinke and Alan C. Kerrick became share holders.

Douglas K. Reinke & Alan C. Kerrick

In 1911 C.V. Peckham, who owned and operated Peckham Furniture in Caldwell, Idaho, and Parma, Idaho, started Peckham Funeral Chapel. He started the funeral home with a goal to serve families in our communities in Canyon County and provide dignified and caring service to those families regardless of race, religion or financial means. In 1935 he took on a young associate, T. Wilbur Dakan. In 1937 the funeral home was moved out of the basement of the Peckham Furniture Store and the new facility was constructed at its present location at the corner of Kimball and Dearborn in Caldwell. Newspaper accounts of the time herald the funeral home as one of the finest funeral home facilities in the northwest and it was a structure in which the community took a great deal of pride. Today it's not uncommon to hear families tell of their grandfather or father's experience in helping to construct the facility. Many fine craftsmen of Caldwell and Canyon County were involved in the construction. Mr. Dakan became a partner in Peckham Funeral Chapel in 1937 and the name of the funeral home changed to Peckham-Dakan Funeral Chapel. In 1957, a branch funeral home was built in Parma to serve the west end of Canyon County, Malheur and Owyhee counties. The Parma facility is located at the corner of 5th and Bates in Parma. In 1964 James R. "Jim" Dakan, son of T. Wilbur Dakan, joined the firm. In 1972 the funeral home was sold to Jim and the name of the funeral home became Dakan Funeral Chapel, even though many people to this day still refer to our funeral home as Peckham's or Peckham-Dakan Chapel.

In November of 1996, Dakan Funeral Chapel merged with Carriage Services, Inc. Longtime Dakan employees Douglas K. Reinke and Alan C. Kerrick become shareholders. Carriage Services is, by most standards in our profession, a small company consisting of 135 funeral homes in 28 states and 29 cemeteries in 12 states at this writing. It is a company made up of funeral homes that are considered the "best of the best". Our staff and employees all have a substantial ownership interest in our funeral home and our company. Our commitment to our communities and families we serve has never been greater. The traditions and commitments begun so long ago in the basement of a furniture store are very much alive today. We are still members of our community, we live here, we worship here, our children attend schools here, we sponser youth sports, and we are members of civic clubs and organizations.

Our Valued Staff

Douglas K. Reinke, Managing Partner

Douglas K. Reinke, Manager & Funeral Director, joined Dakan Funeral Chapel in 1973.

Doug attended the College of Idaho in Caldwell and also attended Boise State University. He is a graduate of San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and has practiced as a Director and Embalmer at Dakan Funeral Chapel since 1973. He currently is the managing funeral director. Doug is married to the former Debbie Malone of Jerome and has two children, David and Katy; and a grandchild, Kason. He attends Faith Lutheran Church and is a member and past president of the Caldwell Rotary Club and is also a member of the Caldwell Exchange Club. Doug is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Idaho Funeral Service Assoc. and the Treasure Valley Funeral Directors Assoc. His hobbies include, fishing and backpacking.
Alan C. Kerrick, Funeral Director

Alan C. Kerrick, CFSP, Assistant Manager & Funeral Director, joined Dakan Funeral Chapel in 1981.

Alan graduated from Caldwell High School and San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He additionaly attended the College of Idaho in Caldwell and Boise State University. Alan is also Certified as a Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He currently is the assistant manager and is a practicing Embalmer and Funeral Director. Alan is a fourth generation Canyon County resident. He is married to the former Lisa Canterbury of Nampa and has four children, Adam, Kara Sue, Ali and Charlie; and four grandchildren, Dylan, Logan, Riley and Taylor. He attends Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church, is a member of Caldwell Lodge No. 1448 B.P.O.E., and a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell. He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, a member and past district trustee of the Idaho Funeral Service Association, and a member and past president of the Treasure Valley Funeral Directors Association. He enjoys skiing, boating, motorcycling, yard work, running cross country, and time spent at the family cabin.
Valden G. Christensen, Funeral Director

Valden grew up on a farm in Rigby, Idaho and came from a large family of thirteen children. He married the former Valerie Benson of Logan, Utah and they have three children, Spencer, Annika and Carrie. Valden graduated from Utah State University in Family and Human Development and Gerontology. He then went on to mortuary school in Mesa, Arizona where he graduated in 2004 with honors. The Christensens are active with the service club "American Mothers" in Caldwell and Nampa, where Valerie serves as president. Valden is a member of the Caldwell Lions Club and serves on the board. They attend church in the Caldwell 10th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Valden is an Eagle Scout.
Lisa C. Kerrick, Family Benefits Coordinator

Lisa C. Kerrick, Benefits Coordinator & Receptionist, joined Dakan Funeral Chapel in 1998.

Lisa was raised as Lisa Canterbury in Nampa, Idaho, where she attended school. She later graduated from the American Institute of Medical and Dental Technology as a Registered Medical Assistant. She married Alan C. Kerrick of Caldwell and has four children, Adam, Kara Sue, Ali and Charlie; and four grandchildren, Dylan, Logan, Riley and Taylor. She loves being a wife, mother and homemaker. Her hobbies include oil painting, wood crafts, and cooking. She is an active member of this community, volunteering in various ways with local schools, community sports, and city and chamber of commerce events.
Archie Stradley, Ambassador

Archie graduated from Caldwell High School. He married the former Virginia Hall of Caldwell and has 2 sons, Nick and Craig. He also has 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Archie served his country for two years in the United States Army. He worked for Summers Office Supply in Caldwell for 44 years. After his retirement he joined Dakan Funeral Chapel as an Ambassador to the community. Archie is an active member and treasurer of the Caldwell Lodge No. 1448 B.P.O.E. and the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell. Archie has been recognized many times and in many ways for his volunteerism and community service. Archie is someone you would also recognize as Santa Claus, which illustrates one of the ways he has touched every member of every age group of this community.
Ann Swanson, Family Services

Ann was raised on a farm in Eastern Montana. She graduated from Beach High School and married Larry Swanson. They have three children, Lynn, Allen and Jonathon. She also has nine grandchildren. Ann has enjoyed volunteering for HOTR (Home on the Range) for children. She is a former President of the G.V. Hospital Auxiliary, St. Ann's Guild and is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She attends St. Paul's Catholic Church in Nampa. After moving to Idaho in 2005, she obtained her Life Insurance License and joined the staff at Dakan Funeral Chapel and Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. She enjoys working with families and is particularly fond of spending time with her grandchildren.
Stanley V. Boster, Funeral Assistant

Stan was raised and educated for his first 15 years in Missouri, later moving to Wenatchee, Washington where he graduated from high school. Stan attended Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon and later at Boise Bible College in Boise, Idaho. He served his country for 8 years with the United States Navy. Stan married the former Glenna Gehle of Caldwell and has four children, Brent, Bruce, Brenda and Brian. He also has 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Stan attends Deer Flat Free Methodist Church of Caldwell and is a member and past president and past secretary/treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell. He is also a member of the Photographic Society of America, and is an Eagle Scout.