Our Staff

Timothy Dawson represents the 4th Generation of the Tiedemann Family to embrace the vocation of Funeral Director. Tim is a graduate of East Leyden High School and went on to receive his BA in Communications from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 2011. After entering the workforce and still doing some maintenance work for the family funeral home, Tim enrolled in Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Receiving his Degree in Mortuary Science in 2015, Tim became a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director, returning to his lifelong home above the Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home. 

Tim is married to his wife Claire and they are the proud parents of Theo and Isla, and their dog, Hank. Claire is an outside sales representative in the Food Service industry.  

Tim enjoys playing rugby when he can. He's available 24/7 with the possible exception of  Deer Season and Turkey Season. Tim is extremely proud to be the 4th Generation of his family to enter this very important vocation. 

Mia Knutson is an apprentice funeral director and embalmer with a deep commitment to compassionate care and upholding the standards of the funeral industry. She earned an AAS degree from the College of DuPage and her degree in Medical Illustration from Columbia College Chicago, combining clinical understanding with artistic precision. In 2024, Mia graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where she was recognized for her professionalism, and received awards in Restorative Art. Her work reflects a dedication to honoring the dignity of each life she serves, and she prides herself on working for a historic and family owned funeral home.

Outside of her professional work, Mia is passionate about the arts. In her spare time, she enjoys many mediums such as sewing and drawing along the side of her beloved cat Nurgle. She also is an avid fan of musical theatre and movies, finding inspiration and comfort in storytelling through performance and self expression.

Erin has held the position of Administrative Assistant since January of 2018.

Erin and her husband, Jerry, make their home in the Gurnee/Grayslake area where they raised their two, now grown, children.

Her parenting duties are now centered around their two dogs,  Louie, a Min Pin, and Joseph, a chiweenie ~ who love to take Erin on long walks, and their black cat, Gadget.

A lover of most all genres of music, Erin especially loves the excitement and entertainment of live music. She attended annual Jimmy Buffett concerts for over 20 years and continues to seek out good music wherever it may be playing. A big fan of the Blues, Erin and Jerry can often be found in a variety of venues listening to an array of live music. 

Jack Collins has been a valued member of the Sax-Tiedemann team for six

years and a licensed funeral planner in Illinois for over a decade. He has

helped hundreds of families create thoughtful Family Care Plans that

reduce stress and confusion during times of loss. A business graduate from

the University of Texas–Austin, Jack spent 42 years in the hospitality

industry, holding leadership roles with major hotel chains like Sheraton and

later owning hotels in Michigan and Indiana before retiring in 2010. Driven

by a calling to serve others, Jack earned his Masters Degree in Divinity

from Catholic Theological Union in 2013. Inspired by the idea of funeral

service as a ministry, he joined the profession to help families navigate loss

with compassion and care. A proud Texas Longhorn Alum and lifelong

adventurer, Jack has enjoyed backpacking in the Rockies with his five

children and sailing along the East Coast and Pacific Northwest.

Stephen Dawson earned his high school diploma from the East Leyden High School in 1977. He further pursued his studies at Bradley University in Peoria, IL and graduated with a B.A. degree in Speech Communications and Theatre Arts. He also attended the Players Workshop of Second City to learn the art of improvisation. To prepare for the family business, Stephen attended the Worsham College of Mortuary in 1982 to get an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science. He also holds a certificate from the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), Illinois Crematory Operators Certification Program, is a Certified Cremationist through the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP), member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), and is certified through the Green Burial Council.

Stephen owns and manages Monarch Crematorium with his wife Tammi. Stephen has been the past president and the current secretary of the Funeral Directors Services Association of Greater Chicago; former secretary of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. He is currently the Secretary of School District 84 school board of Franklin Park. Stephen and his wife Tammi are long time members of  St. Paul Evangelical Covenant Church of Franklin Park.  Showing his love of sports, Stephen is a former Thunder soccer coach. He enjoys spending time with the family, is a certified scuba diver, a holds an A.S.A. sailing captains certificate. He also plays the keyboard for the musical group Looney Train.

Tammi Burke Dawson is a registered nurse. She received her education from the Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois and Triton College in River Grove, Illinois. She had been working with the Out Patient Surgical Unit with Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, Illinois,  until the hospital closed in 2019; in addition to helping around the funeral home.

If you see her moving around quickly, you can trace it back to her family heritage which made its mark in the sport of speed skating. In fact, her father, Charles Burke, participated in the 1952 and 1956 Winter Olympics. Since 2013, Tammy has been the Lead Nurse with Honor Flight Chicago, the organization that brings Veterans to Washington DC to the War Memorial Site. She has been a volunteer for Honor Flight Chicago since 2011.

Clyde Dawson grew up in the Morgan Park neighborhood on Chicago’s south side. He met Jean Tiedemann at Grinnell College where he earned a B.A. degree in Biology. In 1956, he began working with his father-in-law, Peter Tiedemann and pursued further studies at Worsham College of Mortuary Science.

Now retired, he is still very active in the community. Clyde is a member of several organizations, including the Franklin Park Kiwanis Club, The Franklin Park Social Club, and the Leyden - Laurel Masonic Lodge. He was also a former member of the School District No. 84 School Board for 30 years. Clyde is an active member of St. Paul Evangelical Covenant Church.

Born into the family business, Jean Tiedemann Dawson lived in the funeral home since it relocated to Belmont Avenue in 1936. Jean is the youngest child of Peter Thomas Tiedemann and Irma Tiedemann (nee Freie). She graduated from Leyden High School and attended Grinnell College where she met her husband, Clyde. Jean held a B.A. degree from Elmhurst College. One of her most notable achievements is having served as President of St. Paul Evangelical Covenant Church.

Jean regularly does volunteer work for the Women’s Association of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her appreciation for the arts can also be seen in her active participation in the Bell Choir.