Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel and Monument Company

About Us

Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel is Lamar's oldest established funeral service. It has been serving communities in Southeastern Colorado and Western Kansas since 1909. It was moved to it's current location at 206 South Fifth in Lamar in 1919 and was formerly owned by Glen Kirkpatrick and C. P. Adams. It is currently owned and operated by Gene Millbrand and John Sykes. Millbrand purchased Valley Memorial of Lamar in 1985 and extended his business to the Holly community with a funeral home in 1986. Sykes became a partner with Gene Millbrand at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in 2005.

Gene and John are driven by the same devotion to their community and service to those in need, as the Kirkpatrick, Adams, Duggan and Dolsen families before them. Gene has been involved in funeral service for more than 47 years. He served his country at the U. S. Army Mortuary in Saigon and is currently licensed in Michigan, Kansas and Colorado. John has been a funeral director for nine years in Texas and Colorado.

Millbrand and Sykes wish to thank the many families they have served for their trust and confidence placed in Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel. They do not take that trust for granted, they appreciate it, and pledge themselves to do their very best so as to remain worthy of your confidence. In return, they promise to continue to serve Southeast Colorado and Western Kansas with funeral service, based on dignity and compassion.

	Gene and Dee Millbrand Gene Millbrand – Gene attended Michigan State University and graduated from Wayne State University College of Mortuary Science in 1970. He is nationally board certified and currently is a licensed funeral director in Michigan, Colorado, and Kansas. Following his military service at the United States Army Mortuary in Saigon, Vietnam, Gene practiced in Michigan until purchasing Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Lamar, Colorado in 1985. Gene is married to his wife Dee. Together they have five children and four grandchildren. Gene has been very active in numerous civic and fraternal organizations to include the Lamar Elks, Lamar Eagles, Lamar Masons, Lamar V.F.W.; Lamar Chamber of Commerce, Lamar Lions, the Hospital Board, and Holly Commercial Club; along with various boards and committees at his church, The Lamar United Methodist Church. Gene is currently serving his second term as a Prowers County Commissioner.

	John and Danielle Sykes John Sykes – John is a 2002 graduate of McClave High School. He then attended the Amarillo Institute of Mortuary Science and graduated with honors in 2003. While in Texas, John worked for Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, where he was able to obtain his knowledge and experience. In February 2005, John moved back home, to become a partner with Gene Millbrand in Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel. On August 23, 2008, John was united in marriage to Danielle L. Kilpatrick, and has two girls, Jade and Jozlyn, the family resides in Lamar. John is a past director of the Lamar Chamber of Commerce, and is very involved with the Lamar Elks, Lamar Eagles, and Lamar Rotary. He sits on various boards of his church, The McClave and Wiley United Methodist Church; is a member of the Holly Commercial Club; and is involved with various youth activities such as serving on the McClave FFA Advisory Board, McClave FBLA Sponsor, and Prowers County Prevention Partners (P3). John enjoys volunteering and giving back to his community, hunting, riding his bike, and spending time with his family.

	Dee Sniff, Secretary Dee Sniff – Dee joined the staff at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in 2008 as their part time secretary. Dee grew up in the Lamar Area and attended Lamar schools, graduating from Lamar High School in 1967. Dee’s parents, Glenn and Margie Sweany, had five other children besides Dee. In 1970 she was united in marriage to Clay Sniff and from there the two moved about the country until returning back to Lamar in 2004. Clay and Dee Sniff have two children – Heather and Colin. Dee is heavily involved in the St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lamar, such as being a member of the Daughters of Catholic Women group, singing in the Church Choir, Rosary Group, and the Bible Study Group. Dee enjoys golfing and spending time with her grandchildren – Emma, Holden, and Greta.