Our Experienced Staff

All of our funeral staff and licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and client service. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families ensures that they provide excellent service and remain outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.
William J. Krienen, III
Owner

A native of the area, Bill has been a part of his family's funeral business his entire life. He graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and has been a Licensed Funeral Director since 1986. 

 In addition, he is a licensed pre-need consultant. In 1994, Bill became the President and owner of Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home.  He has guided the third generation of his family business through its 100th year. 
 Bill is a member of the Department of Health and Social Services (Mass Fatality Task Force).  He was an executive officer of the Delaware State Funeral Directors Association (DSFDA) from 2000 to 2007, and served as President of the DSFDA from 2005 to 2007.  He was appointed to the Policy Board for the National Funeral Directors Association in 2017.  He currently serves as chairperson of the DSFDA Political Action Committee. 
Bill is an active member of St. Peter the Apostle R. C. Church in New Castle. He served on the “Restoration 2000 Committee”, an effort to restore one of the oldest Catholic Churches in the nation.  He has served as a Board Member and coach on the St. Peter Athletic Association and is a proud member of the Good Will Fire Co. #1.  

Bill and his wife, Mary Kay, have been married for 33 years and have two children, Maureen and Will.

Maureen E. Krienen
President 
Licensed Director-Pre-need Consultant

Maureen Krienen serves as the President of Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, bringing a legacy of service and compassion as the fourth generation of her family to lead the business. Under her leadership, the funeral home continues its long-standing tradition of providing thoughtful, personalized care to families during their most difficult times.

Maureen is a licensed funeral director (since 2017) and a licensed preneed consultant (since 2011). She earned her degrees from the University of Delaware and the McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. Her dedication to excellence and innovation in the funeral profession has been recognized nationally—she is one of only 20 funeral directors selected to participate in the National Emerging Leadership Program through the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).

A trailblazer in her field, Maureen proudly became the first female president of the Delaware State Funeral Directors Association. Known for her kind and compassionate nature, she brings both professionalism and genuine care to every family she serves.

Outside of work, Maureen enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending quality time with her friends and family.


Paul V. Kenney

Funeral Assistant


Paul was born and raised in Elsmere, and lives there with his wife, Dee.

 

He is a graduate of St. Mark’s High School. He served in the United States Navy from 1980 to 1983. Following his service in the Navy, he was hired as an assembler at the General Motors plant on Boxwood Road. He retired from General Motors in 2012 after 28 years of service.


Upon retirement, Paul began working at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home. He is a valued employee, who works in many aspects of the funeral business. He is dedicated to the funeral home and to all the families we serve. 


In addition to his wife, Dee, Paul’s family includes his daughter, Cristal, and her fiancé, Alex. He and Dee are the proud grandparents of their grandson, Alec.


Donald J. Ostmann, Sr. 

Funeral Administrator & Planner 


Don was born and raised in Wilmington. He graduated from Concord High School and the University of Delaware (UD). Don met his wife, Gina while they were both attending UD. They raised their sons, Donald and Adam in Newark. Don and Gina now reside in Garnet Valley, PA. In addition to their sons, their family now includes their son Donald’s wife, Courtney and first grandchild, Nora Jo. 


Prior to Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, Don worked for the DuPont Company in Wilmington for 36 years and when he retired in 2024 was the Company’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Global Security Director.


Don’s responsibilities at Krienen-Griffith include funeral administration & operations, meeting with families to plan various aspects of the services, and transportation. 


Don is a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Glen Mills, PA. There, he is a Member of the Olde St. Thomas Council #11051 Knights of Columbus (4th Degree), Legion of Mary, Offertory Collections counter, and parish Prison Ministry. Other volunteer activities include assisting the Oblate Sisters at Mount Aviat Academy in Childs, MD, as well as at the Wilmington Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital and the Community Living Center.


Don is an avid runner who enjoys competing in 5Ks, marathon training, traveling, and spending time with family and friends




Claire Reynolds
Accounts Manager

Claire Krienen Reynolds has been a part of the funeral business her entire life. She is the granddaughter of the Carl H. Krienen, who opened the family funeral home in 1917. Through four generations, Claire has been a part of the family business, including working with her father and uncle, her brother, and now her niece.  

Claire is a graduate of Padua Academy. She worked at a Wilmington law firm as a patent secretary until 1988, when she became a stay-at-home mom. As her children reached school age, she did part-time work as a school secretary, worked for her sister’s embroidery business, and did office work for her father at Krienen-Griffith. After her father passed away in 1993 and her brother became the owner of the funeral home, Claire’s responsibilities at Krienen-Griffith grew. Primarily her role is doing all bookkeeping. In addition, she helps with processing paperwork for funerals and the managing the office. 
 
For ten years, Claire was the Recording Secretary for Delaware State Funeral Directors Association, a position which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Claire has volunteered for many organizations including Bayard House, St. Ann Home & School Association, and St. Ann St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Claire married her husband, John, in 1985. They have five children, Ann, who is married to Bryan Bookout, John, Jr. who is married to Erica Riha, Brigid, Liam, and Patrick Reynolds. She is blessed to have three grandchildren, Claire, Luke and Dean Bookout.


Mary Jane Stubbs

Office Manager


Mary Jane Stubbs was born and raised in the City of Historic New Castle growing up on fifth Street. She continues to live in New Castle today with her special feline “Lady”.


She graduated from William Penn High School class of 1983 and totally enjoyed marching band as well as playing softball for the

New Castle Little League.


Mary Jane spent over 36 years at New Castle Municipal Services and retired in 2021 as Human Resources/Office Manager. Being

from New Castle, she knew most of the customers and enjoyed the time she spent there.


Mary Jane volunteers a lot of her free time with Good Will Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. She has almost 39 years of service and currently holds the position of Vice President as well as Assistant Treasurer with the Ladies Auxiliaries of the New Castle County Firefighters Association.


Mary Jane has known the Krienen family for many years and came to work for them in the office in 2023 assisting with all clerical work as required. She loves the comradery that is shared between the funeral home and the families that we serve.