Our Staff

Brian Hillyer

Funeral Director/Owner

Brian Hillyer is the owner of Schroder Mortuary and a licensed funeral director in Illinois and Iowa. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science and has been a funeral director since 1993. Brian joined the staff at Schroder Mortuary, Silvis in 1995 and became co-owner with Steve and Debbie Schroder in 1997.  Before becoming a funeral director, Brian served in the US Navy. Brian is married to Ayla and they have 3 children and one grandson.  In his free time he enjoys riding his Harley and camping.

Brian is a member of the Silvis Optimist Club, East Moline/Silvis Rotary, Silvis Masonic Lodge, La Chateau 40 & 8 Park, Izaak Walton League of America, NRA, and the Milan Gun Club.

Ayla Hillyer

Funeral Director

Ayla has been with the Schroder Mortuary family since December of 2006. She Graduated from Carl Sandburg College and has been a licensed funeral director since 2001. 

Ayla enjoys traveling, and camping. She is a member of local running groups in the community and enjoys running local road races in the summer. 

Larry O'Brien

Funeral Assistant

Larry joined the Schroder Mortuary family in the spring of 2006 as a funeral director assistant.

He served on the Silvis Fire Department for 55 years where he also served as Assistant Fire Chief. Larry was also active with the Silvis Little League and is a member of Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline and the Silvis Optimist Club.  

Larry and his wife Pat are both lifelong residents of Silvis. They enjoy spending time with their great grandchildren and fishing at their lake cabin in Minnesota. 

Chris Hillbloom

Prearrangement Specialist

Chris joined Schroder Mortuary in 2016. She has been in the funeral industry for over 20 years. Aside from answering phones and handling daily tasks at the funeral home, Chris is a licensed Insurance Producer and a prearrangement specialist. She assists families with funeral and cremation planning and prefunding. Chris has 3 children and enjoys camping with her husband, Larry.  

Bill Brown

Funeral Assistant

Bill has been with the Schroder Mortuary family since 2015 and is a funeral director assistant. He assists with funerals, visitations, and other daily operations.

Before joining Schroder Mortuary in March of 2015, Bill retired from the Moline International Airport as a Lt. in the Public Safety Department. He is married to Jody and they are members of St. Pius Catholic Church in Rock Island.

Ollen Stephens

Funeral Assistant

Ollen has been with Schroder Mortuary as a funeral director assistant since 2019. He assists with funerals, visitations, and daily operations of the funeral home. Ollen is a US Navy Veteran. He and his wife Sue enjoy their grandchildren and spending time at their cabin in Missouri.

Dave Leibovitz

Funeral Assistant

Dave joined Schroder Mortuary as a funeral director assistant in 2018 after his retirement from the Silvis Fire Department, where he served as Chief for 22 years. He is a lifelong resident of Silvis and a member of Silvis Optimist Club. Dave is married to Dinah and enjoys trivia and playing golf.   

Bob Cervantes

Funeral Assistant

Bob joined the Schroder Mortuary family in 2020. He assists with funerals, visitations, and daily operations of the funeral home.

Bob served as 1st Ward alderman in Silvis for 16 years. He and his wife Alesia are members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where Bob is a member of the Men's Club.