About CCMS

Toby Day
Toby Day

Toby Day

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Toby M. Day, who left us on September 27, 2023. Mr. Day, a licensed funeral director in both Indiana and Ohio, served as the Director of Business Services and Educational Cremation Center at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He was deeply committed to providing families with a meaningful funeral experience and believed in the importance of helping them say goodbye and creating peaceful memories to pave the way for a healthy grief journey. He took pride in imparting his knowledge to future funeral service providers, being an alumnus of Ivy Tech Community College (2016) and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (AAS - 2018, BMS - 2021). Mr. Day is survived by his loving wife, Mrs. Loretta Day, and his son, Thomas Day. We kindly request that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Visitation will take place from 4p to 7p on Friday, October 6, 2023 with a Masonic Service at 7p and a Celebrant Service to follow immediately after,  at:

First Baptist Church of Aurora

6060 Blair Rd.

Aurora, IN 47001

Visitation for students and guests from 11:00a to 1:00p on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in the Educational Cremation Center, with a reception following.

Private burial to occur at a later date.

Link to Shorten and Ryan Funeral Home obituary for Toby Day

Todd Van Beck In Memoriam

Todd Van Beck

The death care profession lost an icon in funeral service on May 23rd with the passing of Todd Van Beck. Beloved father of Thomas. Son of the late Tony and Norma (nee Fecan). Brother of Scott (Sarah) Van Beck; uncle of Wesley, Helen, Sam and Neil Van Beck.  Todd was a person who had a half-century love affair with both funeral and cemetery service. He willingly admitted that he was no “expert!” and also quickly admitted that there was nothing about this work and life that he did not enjoy, and in which he did not have intense interest. Todd had said: “I have never done a day’s work in my life; it has all been fun and interesting.” 

Todd was uniquely gifted and took great pride in providing reverent care for the dead and compassionate care for the living. Todd earned his Professional Diploma in Mortuary Science in 1973 from the New England Institute of Funeral Service Arts and Sciences (MA), his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology from Mount Mercy University (IA), and his Master of Arts in Religion from Athenaeum of Ohio (Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary).  In 2005, he was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, (Houston, TX).   Todd held several certifications and licensures, including the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), Certified Funeral Executive (CFE) and licensure in several states.

Prior to his employment as Program Director at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS), Todd served as Faculty/Director of Continuing Education at John A. Gupton College (TN); General Manager of Forest Hill Funeral Homes & Memorial Parks (TN); Director of Family Funeral Care and Public Relations at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home (GA); President and CEO of the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service (TX); Director of Education for the Loewen Group, Inc. (OH), and Director of Education for Trust 100.  His academic career began at CCMS in 1982.

Todd was an active writer and prominent international speaker in the profession. He authored 8 books and over 400 articles on death care topics.  An avid historian and academician, Mr. Van Beck grew up in Southwestern Iowa and declared at the young age of 5 that he would become a funeral director one day. Todd operated funeral homes, cemeteries and mortuary colleges during his career. Todd selflessly served the death care profession in many arenas across the nation and internationally, which satisfied his desire to see the world. An Abraham Lincoln scholar, he was an expert in the deaths of United States presidents and authored a presentation about each of the funerals of the deceased American presidents. He was thrilled and humbled to return to CCMS and his cherished Queen City where he planned to continue his mission until retirement. Todd served on the boards of the Cincinnati Fire Museum, the William Howard Taft National Birthplace Site, and the Funeral Service Foundation of the National Funeral Director Association.

CCMS has established a scholarship in Todd's name to honor his legacy.

Livestream recording of May 27 Cincinnati service for Todd Van Beck

Livestream recording of May 30 Iowa service for Todd Van Beck

Donate to the Todd Van Beck Memorial Scholarship

Beth Williams In Memoriam

Beth Williams

On May 8, 2023, the CCMS family lost a dear member.  Beth Williams lost her courageous battle with breast cancer.  Beth was an alumna of the University of Cincinnati (1996) and CCMS (1998), completing her Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree at CCMS.  She was pursuing a Masters of Thanatology degree at the time of her death.  Beth had been an Ohio Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer since 1999 and was certified as a Master Funeral Director/Embalmer and Funeral Celebrant.  She also held an Ohio Crematory Operator Permit.

Beth joined the CCMS team in 2013 after many years as a practicing Funeral Director/Embalmer.  She served as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Chief of Staff.

Beth is survived by her husband Russell (Rusty) and her two children, Lainey and Grey.

CCMS has established a scholarship in Beth's name to honor her legacy.

Livestream recording of Beth Williams memorial service

Donate to the Beth Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund