OUR STAFF

Justin Smith

President

As a Derby High Alumni, Justin is very involved within the community, where he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Derby Community Foundation. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce and Derby's Planning Commission. Justin and his wife, have four children in the Derby School District, and are members of the Woodlawn United Methodist Church. He is a graduate of Emporia State University, enjoys hunting, golfing, and spending time with his family. Justin is the past President of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association.

Darin Mabe

General Manager

Darin Mabe brings over four decades of pastoral experience to Smith Family Mortuaries, serving as an ordained minister for more than 42 years. He joined Smith Mortuary in September 2010 and quickly expanded his role to become an assistant funeral director. During this period, he collaborated with the Smith Family on various capital improvement projects for their facilities. In 2019, Darin was appointed General Manager of Smith Family Mortuaries, where he focuses on supporting staff members and ensuring exceptional service to every family served by Smith Family Mortuaries.

Dan Beat

Advanced Funeral Planner

Dan is a lifelong Kansan, growing up in west Wichita and a proud alum of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. He has spent 30 years of his career in the pharmaceutical, finance and insurance industries. His commitment to helping the senior community navigate difficult late-life fiscal decisions is what landed him here at Smith Family Mortuaries! With the recent loss of his parents, he understands the burden a family will experience when an end-of-life plan is not in place. Dan earned a BA from Bethany College and an MBA from Emporia State University. Away from the office, he enjoys fishing, golfing and all things Notre Dame (GO IRISH)!!

Morgan Witte

Advanced Funeral Planner

Morgan was raised in Derby and has found meaning in working on and off for Smith Family Mortuaries since 2016. Even though she finished in 2019 with her Elementary Education degree and followed it with a year of teaching, she decided to go back to serving families at Smith Family Mortuaries. Morgan has worked in the past in our office with at-need families. She has now started working as one of our Advanced Funeral Planners for the pre arrangement side of the mortuary. Morgan enjoys spending time outside with her four kids, running and cooking all sorts of recipes in the kitchen.

Lyman Wheeler

Funeral Director

Lyman is a Kansas native, having grown up on a farm outside of Rock. He graduated from Wichita State University, and the Mortuary Science program at Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. After owning funeral homes in Burden, Cedar Vale, and Winfield for 13 years, he joined Smith Family Mortuaries. In 2005, he left Kansas to experience first Denver, then Los Angeles, but never left funeral service. With two sons and lots of family here, he is very glad to return, both to Kansas, and to Smith Family Mortuaries.

Jason Arellano

Funeral Director

Jason graduated from the Mortuary Science program at Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2000. He lived and worked in Texas for 17 years before moving back "home" to Kansas to work at Smith Family Mortuaries. When he's not working, Jason enjoys spending time with his family.

Breanne Colby

Funeral Director

Breanne graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2007 with a degree in mortuary science. She has been serving the Wichita community as a licensed funeral director since 2008. Breanne joined Smith Family Mortuaries in March of 2020.

Brian Smith

Funeral Director

Brian was born and raised in northwestern Kansas and received his Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 1997. After graduation, he moved to Wichita where he worked for a family-owned mortuary for 25 years. In 2021, Brian decided to further his education. He went back to school and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Funeral Service Management from Mid-America College of Funeral Service, where he was Valedictorian of his graduating class. Brian began working at Smith Family Mortuaries in 2022 where he appreciates the flexibility of ownership and working with an experienced staff. Outside of the business, Brian enjoys cooking, playing guitar, DIY projects, and laugh

Michelle Mabe

Assistant Funeral Director

Michelle Mabe brings a deep commitment to caring for others. Since joining Smith Family Mortuaries in 2022, she has worked to establish an environment where people feel seen, supported, and cared for during life's most challenging moments. As an Assistant Funeral Director, Michelle walks alongside families with compassion and respect, helping them honor their loved ones in meaningful ways. This work represents more than a professional role—it's a calling, and she serves with kindness and purpose daily.

Bailee Wintermote

Office Manager

Bailee started working part-time for Smith Family Mortuaries in 2021, assisting with services, visitations, and clerical work on an at-need basis. In 2022, she joined the full-time office staff in Derby .
When away from work, Bailee enjoys spending time with her husband and family, especially on family game night. Bailee loves being a part of the Smith Mortuary family, serving others.

Dennis Christie

Embalmer

Dennis started with Smith Family Mortuaries in 2018. He graduated from Mortuary Science Department at Cypress College in 1999.

Kim Foster

Financial Controller

As another Derby Alumni on our staff, Kim stays busy with her involvement with Derby Sports and kids events. Kim and her husband, who is a football coach at Derby High, have their two children also within the school district. Kim graduated from Wichita State University, with a Bachelors Business Accounting Degree in 2002 and Masters Degree in 2007.

David Luke

Funeral Assistant

Jack Webster

Funeral Director

Jack Webster joined Smith Family Mortuaries in 2005. He attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services.