Eric and Dawn Grisell purchased the Vankirk Funeral Home in October of 2001. It was previously owned by Prime Succession who had purchased the business from Alvia and Helen Vankirk in 1992. Eric and Dawn Grisell have three children Erika, Evan, and Kara. The Grisells are originally from West Virginia where Eric's family has been in the funeral business since 1847. The sixth generation of his family to be in the funeral business, Eric and Dawn spent much time in prayer about their move to Kentucky. They both feel that their prayers were answered far in above any expectation or concerns they may have felt about the move. The people of the Corbin area have welcomed them into their community with open arms. Everyone associated with the Vankirk Funeral Home - now the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home- are proud to be locally owned and operated - AGAIN!

Eric began his career in the funeral business in high school where he worked part time at his family's funeral home. He received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from West Virginia University in 1993. Eric then graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1994, followed shortly by his licensure in the State of West Virginia as an Embalmer and Funeral Director. After moving to Kentucky, Eric received his Kentucky Funeral Directors license in 2001 and his Embalmers license in 2003. Eric also holds a license to sell life insurance as a funding product for those wishing to prepay funeral expenses.

In addition to his funeral home activities, Eric is a member of First United Methodist Church, a member of the Corbin Rotary Club, National Funeral Directors Association, Kentucky Funeral Directors Association, and the Tri-County Elks Club #2826 in Corbin, and Board Member of Cornerstone Christian School in Lily, KY.