Our Staff
Les Bale
Owner & Licensed Funeral Director
Cremation Center of Chicagoc is owned and operated by Les Bale, a licensed Funeral Director since 1975. Les Bale's extensive knowledge of the burial, cremation and funeral processes helps to facilitate a meaningful celebration of life. Les is a well known and respected individual with strong ties to the community, having been a youth activity organizer and teacher for many years.
Les Bale's son, Matt, a licensed Funeral Director, has joined his father in the operation of the family owned business. Les and Matt are dedicated to serving you during your time of need, treating each family with the utmost compassionate care and respect, and they have pledged to uphold the highest level of professional ethics.
Matt Bale
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Matt Bale grew up in Des Plaines, IL and currently lives in Chicago. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Illinois State University in 2004. In 2008 he graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, as a member of the Pi Sigma Eta national honors fraternity, and he was also awarded the Illinois Funeral Directors Association Past Presidents’ Award. Matt is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Illinois, as well as a certified Crematory Operator. He is also a laboratory clinical instructor of Anatomy and Embalming at Worsham College of Mortuary Science.
Annie Jo Pudenz
Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer & Crematory Operator
Annie Jo Pudenz was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has since lived in Arizona, Hawai’i and the Chicago area. She received her bachelor's degree of Science in Recreation from the University of South Dakota in 2010. She then studied at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. Annie graduated from Worsham in 2012 with special honors as one of the top few students in her class.She is a licensed funeral director, embalmer and crematory operator at Cremation Center of Chicago, and she has also attained her life producer insurance license.
Jeremiah Rangel
Funeral Director, Embalmer & Crematory Operator
Jeremiah Rangel was born and raised in Blue Island, Illinois and has been residing in the city of Chicago for the past eight years. He received an associate degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix in 2010. In the spring of 2011, Jeremiah enrolled at Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He graduated in March of 2012, and is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and crematory operator Cremation Center of Chicago.