Brad Targhetta, CFSP, F-ABMDI

Co-Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer

Brad has always called the Southwestern area home. Graduating from Southwestern High School in 1972, he attended Lewis & Clark Community College, receiving an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement in 1974.

Transferring to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and graduating in 1975 with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science.

Attending an additional year at SIU-C to complete a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mortuary Management. At that time SIU-C did not have a Bachelor’s program. Brad identified this and was able to write the criteria for a Bachelor program, which was accepted. Brad was therefore the first graduate of this program which is still sought by SIU-C attendees today.

After graduation, Brad worked at the Schroder Mortuary in Silvis, Illinois until returning home in 1979.

After joining Paul Warner and Nelson Targhetta at the family business, Brad became first their partner, then sole owner and now the senior partner with the addition of Chris Wooldridge.

Along with his duties with the funeral home, Brad has been active in community activities.

He has served as an EMT-A on the Area Ambulance Service until retiring from this group in 1999.

Brad also served as a Firefighter with the Brighton-Betsey Ann Fire Protection District from 1979 until 2001. Serving as Chief of the department from 1996 until 2001.

Brad is proud to serve as the Chief Deputy Coroner of Macoupin County since 1980. He was appointed Macoupin County Coroner in August 2009 and then elected twice (2010& 2012) as the Macoupin County Coroner. In July 2006 Brad obtained the forensic classification of Diplomat American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigator (DABMDI). The training is provided by St Louis University. Once the classroom training is completed, several practical procedures must be achieved. Once these are completed a 4 hour written exam must be passed. As of 2006, there were less than 1,000 coroners in the world and less than 40 in Illinois that have obtained this level of expertise. In June 2007, Brad, through additional written and practical exams, obtained the level of Fellow American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigator (FABMDI). This is the highest level available to Coroners in the world. Brad is only the 10th Coroner in Illinois to achieve this level of expertise. There are less than 900 in the world with this classification. 

Brad is also active with the federal government disaster response team. This DMORT, (Disaster Mortuary Response Team), team assists the Coroner/Medical Examiner with disasters within their venue. DMORT assists the local jurisdiction with identification of victims of an incident as requested. Brad serves as the Commander of DMORT Region V, (http://www.dmort.org/r5/index.html), and he has assisted in incidents such as plane crashes, cemetery floods, terrorist events and hurricane devastation. He also teaches the Mass Fatality class for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Brad is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (www.apfsp.com/apfsp/home.nsf). 

Brad is married to Ronda. They have 3 children: Mandy and her husband Cory Darr, Wade and his wife Jamie, and Jennifer. They also have 3 grandchildren: Samantha, Gracie & Ellery.

Chris Wooldridge, CFSP, CPC

Co-Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer

Chris grew up in the Brighton area graduating from the Southwestern School District in 1985.

While attending college, Chris served in the Army National Guard as a graves registration specialist.

He became a licensed Paramedic and was employed at Alton Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services.

Chris also served as a Paramedic Field Instructor for the E.M.S. region in which he worked.

Chris later had a career change and became a funeral director and embalmer.

He joined the staff at Targhetta Funeral Homes, Inc in 1994 and became co-owner in 2005. Chris also serves as the Mass Fatality Coordinator and Deputy Coroner for  Jersey County, Illinois. Chris is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, and also a Certified Prearrangment Consultant. Chris has been selected to the Metropolitan Who's Who in Funeral and Mortuary Service.

Our History

Frank Whitfield opened Whitfield Funeral Chapel in Medora in the middle to late 1800’s. Paul Warner joined Frank and they opened the Whitfield & Warner Funeral Home in Brighton in 1938. Upon Frank’s death on July 25, 1947, Nelson Targhetta came to work for Paul.

In 1954 Paul purchased the Macoupin Funeral Service from Mrs. Elizabeth Riefenberg in Chesterfield, IL.

In this same year Paul also established the Warner Funeral Home in Shipman, IL.

Nelson became a partner with Paul in the early 1970’s.

Brad Targhetta joined Paul & Nelson as an employee of the Warner-Targhetta Funeral Homes in 1980. Brad became a partner with Paul & Nelson in 1982.

In 1987 Brad & Nelson purchased Paul's remaining shares and became partners. They later incorporated the funeral homes into the Targhetta Funeral Homes, Inc.

Upon Nelson's retirement, Brad purchased his shares and became the sole owner. In 1999, the Chesterfield funeral home was sold to another firm.

Brad managed the remaining three funeral homes.

Chris Wooldridge joined the funeral home in 1994 and became a partner in 2005.

With this addition the funeral home name was changed to its current Targhetta & Wooldridge Funeral Homes, Inc.

The Targhetta & Wooldridge Funeral Homes, Inc. is a member of the  National Funeral Directors Association (www.nfda.org).

Targhetta & Wooldridge Funeral Homes, Inc
Business Office:
501 W. Center St.
Brighton, IL 62012
(618) 372-3712

Proud to be family owned and operated