Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home | Funeral & Cremation Services for Danville, KY

Who We Are

Our staff of professionals has years of experience caring for families from all walks of life. Each comes to us because we are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional integrity.

When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our History

Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home has been in operation since 1880, when it was founded by W.G. Dunlap and Jule McGoodwin. It then became Thurman Funeral Home and was owned and operated by George Thurman. It was located at 213 West Main Street in Danville, and later moved down the street to 517 West Main Street. It then became Kemper Funeral Home and was owned and operated by Vernon Kemper. He later moved it to 448 West Main Street. Jim Beasley and Frank Rose owned and operated it next for approximately two years. Carl and Virginia Thurman owned and operated it next, and it once again was called Thurman Funeral Home. In September of 1958 it was purchased by Jimmie Preston and George K. Pruitt, Sr. They named it Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home. In June of 1962 they moved it back to the former Thurmond location at 517 West Main Street. In 1972, G. King Pruitt, Jr. purchased his father's interest in the business. He then became the sole owner of Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home in 1990. In January of 1992, Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home moved to it's current facility located at 331 South Fourth Street. This facility was the former J.R. Marrs home (circa 1870) and is listed as a "Kentucky Historic Resource". In May of 1998, Preston-Pruitt became affiliated with Carriage Services, Inc., a small group of nationwide funeral homes noted for their commitment of excellence and maintaining the integrity of caring service. Preston-Pruitt funeral home has long been committed to the Danville & Boyle County community.

Our Valued Staff

King Pruitt, Funeral Director & Embalmer Since 1968

King Pruitt has resided in Danville since 1958. He is a 1960 graduate of Danville High School. He has been in the funeral business since he was “old enough to lift a casket, drive the hearse, and put up a tent.” He is married to Brenda Bentley Pruitt originally from Shelbyville; has a son, Booker Pruitt of Atlanta, Georgia; and a daughter, Gretchen McDaniel of Lexington. King enjoys playing golf, flying, and traveling. He is a member of Airboard, Sister Cities, Danville Rotary Club, First Christian Church and is a Deputy Coroner for Boyle County.
Curt Demrow, Funeral Director & Embalmer Since 1998

Curt Demrow, being a second generation funeral director, grew up in the business. He graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Services and holds both funeral director and embalmer’s licenses. He has been with Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home since September 2006. He is married to Jaime and they have two daughters, Molly and Gracie. He enjoys golfing, UK Basketball, working in his yard and spending time with his family. Curt is a member of the Franklin Masonic Lodge #28, Oleika Shrine Temple, Waynesburg Masonic Lodge, Danville Rotary Club and is an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce.
John C. Davis, Funeral Director & Embalmer Since 1951

John C. Davis was raised in Tompkinsville, but has been a resident of Danville for fifty-nine years. He has been in the funeral business since 1949 and with Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home since 1982. He is married to Chris and they have two sons, Steve and Mark Davis; and two grandchildren. He enjoys woodworking and furniture refinishing in his spare time. He is a Boyle County Magistrate, member of Franklin Masonic Lodge #28, and attends Centenary United Methodist Church.
Melinda McCowan, Funeral Director & Embalmer Since September 2008

Melinda McCowan has lived in Danville since 1994. She is a 2002 graduate of Boyle County High School, 2006 graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, and a 2007 graduate of John A.Gupton College with an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Services. She joined Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home in 2007. Her family includes her husband, Anthony McCowan and their son, Blake, and mother, Lori Harris Stocker. She enjoys camping and hunting. Melinda is a member of Business and Professional Women and Kiwanis Club. She attends Junction City First Baptist Church.
Bill Demrow, Funeral Director & Embalmer Since 1973

Bill Demrow has lived in Stanford/Lincoln County for his entire life. He started his career in 1965, working with Bill Fox at the age of 14. He became licensed in 1974, purchased Barnett & Demrow Funeral Home in 1978, and later purchased Fox Funeral Home, and is now the Managing partner for Barnett & Demrow, Fox, and Ramsey Funeral Homes. He has helped Preston-Pruitt since 1997. Bill’s family includes his wife, Debbie; one daughter, Jenny; one son, Curt, who is the manager of Preston-Pruitt Funeral home, and three grandchildren. He is a Corvette and Harley Davidson enthusiast. Bill enjoys UK basketball and doing yard work. He is Past President of Kentucky Coroners Association (3 times), 2007 Lincoln County Citizen of the Year presented by Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, member of Waynesburg Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Fort Logan Hospital Foundation. He currently serves as the Coroner for Lincoln County. Bill attends Pleasant View Baptist Church.
Shane Young, Funeral Director & Embalmer Since 1988

Shane Young grew up in Lincoln County. He has been in the funeral business since 1988. He has worked at Preston-Pruitt since 1995. He is married to Sherry and has three children, Zak, Ashton and Alexis. He enjoys landscaping, hunting, staying outdoors and keeping himself busy. He is a member of the the Garrard County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Professional and Advisory Committee for Heritage Hospice, Lancaster Lodge # 1 F&AM and the President of the Lancaster Rotary Club.
John R. Proffitt, Funeral Director & Embalmer Since 1988

John R. Proffitt is a native of Glasgow, Kentucky, and was a former owner of a funeral home and monument company in Mt. Washington, Kentucky. John started in the funeral industry in 1988. His father, two uncles, and several cousins have been associated with the funeral industry since 1952. He has helped Preston-Pruitt since June 2008. He is single with two children, Matthew and Katie. In his spare time, John enjoys riding his Harley Davidson, Karaoke, and fishing. He is a member of the Lions Club International, 32nd Degree Mason, Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Oleika Shrine Temple.
Tom Stocker, Funeral Director since 2009

Tom Stocker considers himself a lifelong resident of Danville being born and raised here. He has worked in the funeral business for twenty years, fifteen being with Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home. He has a wife, Lori Harris Stocker, two daughters, Kelly and Katie, step-daughter, Melinda McCowan, and a granddaughter, Laci. He enjoys golfing and camping. Tom is a member of the Franklin Masonic Lodge #28 and Kiwanis Club. He is a Salvation Army bell ringer and is on the Board of Directors for the Bluegrass Steam & Gas Engine Association.
Odis Clark, Funeral Home Ambassador

Odis Clark joined Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home in April 2008. He was born in Franklin County, but has lived in Danville since 1976. He graduated with a Master’s of ministry from Kentucky Christian University in 1988. He married his wife Sharon in 1968. They have three children, Brian and Jonathan Clark, MD and Amy Wise and eight grandchildren. Odis was the minister of Indian Hills Christian Church for 32 years. He is a board member and chairman for the Danville-Boyle County Senior Citizens Program, on the board for Woodlawn Children’s Campus, a trustee for the Kentucky League of Alcohol and Gambling Problems, a member of Southern Christian Youth Convention and a 30 year member of the Danville Rotary Club where he was the secretary for 20 years. He enjoys fishing, hunting, sports, playing with his grandchildren and driving his restored 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle.
Ed Ensslin, Family Services Counselor

Ed Ensslin grew up in Stanford, but has lived in Danville the past 29 years. He joined Preston-Pruitt in 2006. He is married to Pat and they have a daughter Kimberly. He enjoys playing golf and watching UK Football. He is a member of Franklin Masonic Lodge # 28, Indian Hills Christian Church and is an endorsed local counselor of the Dave Ramsey Program.
Curtis J. Hannah, Funeral Director Since June 2008

Curtis grew up in Casey County. He started his apprenticeship to become a funeral director in June 2005 and finished in June 2008, when he became a Licensed Funeral Director. Curtis has four years experience in funeral service, having been with the funeral home since February of 2004. Curtis is married to Meredith and they have a son, Hensley. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his 13 nieces and nephews. Curtis is active in Stanford Rotary, Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, Big Brother Big Sister of the Bluegrass, Lincoln County Toys for Kids, and Stanford Main Street Program. He attends PleasantViewBaptistChurch.
Danny Wilson, Funeral Home Ambassador

Danny Wilson is a long-time resident of Boyle County. He joined Preston-Pruitt in March 2007. He is married to Twila; has two children, Steven and Tresa; and three grandchildren, Hagan, Halee and Travis. In his spare time he enjoys performing music. Danny is a member and past master of Franklin Masonic Lodge #28 and American Veterans Organization. Danny attends First Church of God.
Juanita Hardgrove, Funeral Home Ambassador

Juanita Hardgrove has lived in Boyle County her whole life. She began working at Preston-Pruitt in 2000, after she retired from State Government. She is widowed, and has a loving daughter Jamie Thomas and granddaughter, Danielle Thomas. She enjoys reading and making home visits to the sick and elderly in her spare time. Juanita attends First Christian Church of Junction City.
Jake Holmes, Funeral Home Ambassador

Jake Holmes has been a resident in Danvillefor seventy-two years. He has been an employee of Preston-Pruitt since June 1990. He has a daughter, three sons, nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. He enjoys fishing and watching television in his spare time. Jake is the chaplain and a member of Franklin Masonic Lodge #28, and Danville First Baptist Church.
John David Friend, Funeral Director since 2009

John David Friend was born in Garrard County, moved away when his father was minister and moved back in 1994. He began his career in the funeral business in May 2004. He is married to Mary Elizabeth Benton Friend and they have a daughter Jesse. John David and Mary reside in Stanford. His family includes his mother and father, Johnny & Joyce Friend; sister, Perri Ann; and his beloved Yorkie, Rollie. In his spare time, he enjoys running, playing golf, watching UK sports, and spending time with friends and family. In May 2005, Friend graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Marketing Education. Currently, he is working on his master's in Administration. John David is a member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church in Stanford.
Gary Gorley, Funeral Home Ambassador

Gary Gorley has been a resident of BoyleCounty for the past 44 years. He retired from Burkmann Feed and also worked for Hub Frankel for over 16 years. His family includes his wife, Brenda; two sons, Joe Scott and his wife Carol and Chris and his wife Virginia; and two grandchildren, Gwyn and Ian. In his spare time, Gary enjoys horseback riding and gardening. He is a member of the National Tennessee Walking Horse Association and the Kentucky Walking Horse Association. Gary attends Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Renee Knies, Funeral Director Ambassador

Renee Knies was raised in Findlay, Ohio, but has lived in the Danville/Stanford area for the past thirty years. She began working at Preston-Pruitt in November 2005. She is married to Walter, and has a son, Brett Schoebel. Working as the radio personality for WPBK-102.9FM is her favorite hobby. She is a volunteer for Heritage Hospice and attends Salt River Baptist Church in Boyle County.