President/CEO/Board Member
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Karen Spangler-Berfield
(President/CEO/Board Member)
I am Karen Spangler-Berfield, President-CEO of Ascending Angels, Inc. and lifetime Hoosier. I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 2000 with my Bachelors in Social Work. Immediately following college, I worked with troubled teens at Triple L Youth Center, in Anderson, IN. In 2001, I started working with the mentally handicapped, through Snug Harbor Home Health, in Middletown, IN. In 2005, I obtained my Masters in Social Work from Indiana University. In September of 2005, I landed my dream job with Insights Consulting, Inc., accepting a behavioral therapy position working with people I had grown to love and admire. While at Insights, I was able to complete my supervision hours and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). After 18 years with Insights, I am still excited to go to work and spend time with these amazing individuals. I am blessed to be married to my best friend and husband, Corey Berfield, who is also a board member. Corey is my rock. We are also parents to two beautiful children.
I am Karen Spangler-Berfield, President-CEO of Ascending Angels, Inc. and lifetime Hoosier. I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 2000 with my Bachelors in Social Work. Immediately following college, I worked with troubled teens at Triple L Youth Center, in Anderson, IN. In 2001, I started working with the mentally handicapped, through Snug Harbor Home Health, in Middletown, IN. In 2005, I obtained my Masters in Social Work from Indiana University. In September of 2005, I landed my dream job with Insights Consulting, Inc., accepting a behavioral therapy position working with people I had grown to love and admire. While at Insights, I was able to complete my supervision hours and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). After 18 years with Insights, I am still excited to go to work and spend time with these amazing individuals. I am blessed to be married to my best friend and husband, Corey Berfield, who is also a board member. Corey is my rock. We are also parents to two beautiful children.
Board Members
Ryan HazenRyan Hazen is a Kansas native and spent three years in architecture school before discerning a call to Christian ministry. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and a master’s degree from Christian Theological Seminary. Ryan has served on the denominational staff of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and in pastoral ministry. He has been on the staff of Geist Christian Church in northeast Indianapolis since 2005 and has served as Lead Pastor of the congregation since 2021. He is married to Ruth, and they have two grown boys.
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Erin ShadleI have been in the mental health field for the past 20 plus years serving in various roles and environments with diverse populations. Currently I work as a behavior consultant assisting individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and/or developmental disabilities. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Earlham College in Human Development & Social Relations with focuses in psychology and African/African-American Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University. I love to watch Jeopardy and read on my down time. I have been honored to be part of many people’s lives that would have benefited from Ascending Angels. It is a privilege to serve on the board and support a program that will provide a meaningful difference to so many.
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Steve BoyerI’m Steve Boyer and I am honored to serve as a Board Member of Ascending Angels. I’ve known Karen Spangler-Berfield – Founder, President and CEO for several years. Together, with the rest of the Board, we will work to serve a critical need for our state and local communities, dignified interment for people who otherwise have no one else to assist them with their final rest. A native of Indianapolis and a graduate of Ben Davis High School, I have lived in Montgomery County, Indiana for the last 20 plus years. I graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington and Indiana Wesleyan University with degrees in Economics and Business Administration. I’ve spent most of my career in an operations leadership role for large corporations but I made a career transition to Human Services in 2008 and to Home and Community Based Services for people with disabilities in 2012. Since 2014, I’ve worked as a business development specialist and operations director for a premier multi-state provider of residential and therapeutic services to people with disabilities. Throughout the nation, I’ve met and served many people with different abilities and amazing talents.
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Bob MorganI am Bob Morgan and I started in Funeral/Cemetery Service in April, 1974. I have a degree from Vincennes University in Funeral Service. I became licensed by the State of Indiana as a Funeral Director in 1983. I became a Certified Celebrant in 2015. I have worked at various funeral homes and cemeteries in Indiana in all stages and phases of funeral and cemetery service. I am a husband to my wonderful wife Jacque; the father of three daughters and the grandfather of 3 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. I am very passionate about Ascending Angels and I am honored to be a small part of this endeavor.
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Paula LeMasterPaula is a passionate advocate dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a career rooted in community support, Paula serves as an Account Executive at SafeinHome Remote Supports, where she educates individuals and their families, providing them with valuable insights and opportunities to embrace self-directed independence within their community. Alongside her professional endeavors, Paula is honored to join the Board of Directors for Ascending Angels, Inc., who work tirelessly to ensure that individuals transitioning receive the dignity they deserve. Paula actively contributes to various organizations dedicated to disability advocacy and support. Whether she's collaborating with the Programming Committee & Self-Advocate’s Group for ILADD, Inc. in Boone and Hamilton County or serving as a Board member for Jayland Partners in Jay County, is focused on fostering a more inclusive and supportive community for all.
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Kyrie ForresterKyrie Forrester is the Development Administrator at Outside the Box. Throughout her life, Kyrie has loved and supported individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in various roles – starting in the 4th grade, where she would spend her recess time with the children that attended the school next door, Tri-County Opportunity School. Kyrie has been a camp counselor, an instructional assistant, a respite caretaker, and a direct support professional. She is truly the happiest when she is being of service to others! Kyrie likes to spend her free time with her family and friends, watching movies, and hanging out with her husband, Brian, and their adored animals Blazor, Zoey (dogs), Rika, and Luna (cats).
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Corey Berfield |
It is an honor and privilege to be a part of Ascending Angels, Inc. My name is Corey Berfield. I was born in Pennsylvania and have been a resident of Indiana since 1995. I am a 2005 graduate of Indiana State University and a member of PHI KAPPA TAU Fraternity. Through the years of High School and College I worked many jobs including landscaping and bartending. In 2007, I became a dedicated public servant for the State of Indiana in which I still am today. I married the love of my life in 2009, and we are blessed with two amazing children. I am very involved in my children’s extracurricular activities; I coach my daughter’s softball team and I assist with my son’s baseball team. God is very important in my daily life, and I am a member of Geist Christian Church. Throughout my life, I have always considered myself a “people person” and someone that strives to help others. Ascending Angels, Inc. is a very a special organization run by a beautiful person very close to my heart along with other amazing board members. I strongly believe that this is an opportunity for me to help others “transition with dignity” and see my wife’s dreams come true.
Counsel
Randall Parr
Since 1981, I have helped more than 2,000 Hoosiers and small businesses take on their legal challenges. My practice focuses on several different types of law because life’s challenges can take strange turns. Even individual cases can draw on several different areas of the law. My clients and their trust are my greatest professional focus. Deciding which lawyer to hire is an important decision and one that can affect how a matter is resolved. For almost 40 years, I have been fortunate to provide personalized legal help to Hoosiers when it matters most. I hope to earn your trust.
www.randallparr.net
www.randallparr.net
In 2023, Ascending Angels lost 3 individuals who were very instrumental in the development of this vision.
Dan & Ruby SpanglerDan Spangler, died on 2/19/23. He is the father of our President and was a member at large. He helped design our logo and gave sound advice in all areas relating to Ascending Angels. Ruby Spangler, died on 2/28/23. She is the mother of our President. She was Karen’s biggest cheerleaders and was so excited to watch Ascending Angels form. She was so happy knowing that Ascending Angels is going to provide dignity to all, even beyond death.
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Jimmie MetcalfeJimmie Metcalfe, died on 7/19/23. He was one of the original board members and he was so excited to be a part of this amazing vision. He loved that Ascending Angels gave him the opportunity to help others “transition with dignity.” All three believed in this vision, as well as many other supporters, and because of them, we will continue to make this nonprofit a reality.
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