Our Staff
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
President-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 Krienen
Licensed Director-Pre-need Consultant
Maureen E. Krienen is fourth generation in the Krienen funeral home legacy. Her great-grandfather opened the funeral home in 1917, her grandfather owned and operated the business from 1963 until 1993, and currently her father is at the helm.
Maureen is a graduate of Padua Academy and the University of Delaware. In addition to her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware, Maureen received her Mortuary Science Degree from American Academy McAlister Institute in 2017 and is now a licensed funeral director. She has been a licensed preneed consultant since 2011.
Maureen was born and raised in New Castle, and currently lives in New Castle with her dog, Ralphie. She is a member of St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church, and coaches the 7th-8th grade volleyball team. She loves to ski, and has volunteered with the Special Olympics Alpine Team of Delaware.
Paul Kenney
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.
Claire Reynolds
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.