Caring Staff of Colonial Chapel Funeral Home & Crematory

We believe that it is important for you to feel comfortable with all of us at Colonial Chapel. The funeral directors, Edward II, Edward III, Mark, and Brad are here to serve your every need. We will be with you every step of the way during this most difficult time. Whether you need advice regarding your arrangements, or you have questions or concerns after the funeral, the staff members of Colonial Chapel are here to serve you.


Edward Damstra II, Founder
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Ed has been a funeral director since 1965.  He founded and built Colonial Chapel in 1976.  Ed has been married for over 53 years to Lois (Doorn) Damstra.  They still reside in the residence above the funeral home.  Ed and Lois have three children, eight grandchildren, three great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons.

Edward Damstra III, Funeral Director/Owner
Email: ed@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Ed III has been a funeral director since 1988.  Ed resides in Orland Park with his wife of over 21 years, Kellie (Gibbons) Damstra. They have two children, Eddie who is a junior at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and Emily who is a junior at Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, IL.   Ed graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1987 and Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL in 1989.

Mark Birmingham, Funeral Director
Email: mark@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Mark Birmingham  has been a funeral director since 2000.  Mark lives in Chicago Ridge, where he grew up. He graduated from Polaris High School in Oak Lawn.  He completed Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1999 and began working at Colonial Chapel in February of 2000.  

Bradley Aardema, Funeral Director
Email: Bradley@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: (708) 532-5400
Fax: (708) 532-5593

Brad began working at Colonial Chapel full-time in 2011.  He graduated from Chicago Christian High School in 2006 and Trinity Christian College in 2010 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Management.  Following Trinity, Brad attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science and graduated in 2011.  He lives in Palos Heights, IL.  He enjoys spending time with his wife Anna, his daughter Tessa and staying active.

Kenneth Lenderink, Funeral Director's Assistant
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Ken resides in Orland Park with his wife of over 43 years Suzanne (Ridderhoff) Lenderink.  They have four children and six grandchildren.  Ken has been with Colonial Chapel since 1997.  Prior to coming to Colonial Chapel, Ken worked as a truck driver for Chemical Waste for over 25 years.  

Debbie VanderVelde, Secretary
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Website: colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Debbie answers the phone and has worked in the office for several years.  She is married to Randy. They have three children, three granddaughters and two grandsons and they all reside in Tinley Park.

Tami Henke, Secretary
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Tami graduated from Fox College in 1989.   In 1993, she married Ken.  They have a son and a daughter and live in Homer Township.  She joined the funeral home staff in 2008 to answer the phone and to work in the office.  

Roberta Bobko, Visitation Attendant
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: (708) 532-5400
Fax: (708) 532-5593

Roberta has worked part-time at Colonial Chapel since 2005.  She is a full-time teacher and works for the Archdiocese of Chicago as a Middle School Social Studies teacher.  She graduated from Governors State University in 1999 with a BA in Elementary Education and received a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ in 2007.  Roberta has lived in Oak Forest for 11 years and is a member of St. Damian Parish.

Denny Dryfhout, Visitation/Funeral Assistant
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Website: www.colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: (708) 532-5400
Fax: (708) 532-5593

Denny has been working at Colonial Chapel since 2009.  Prior to working at Colonial, he owned and operated Worth Printing for 18 years.  Denny and his wife of 43 years, Janice (Boss), reside in Frankfort.  They have three children and eight grandchildren.  Denny and Jan are members of Calvary Church in Orland Park.