A Vision Pursued
Accent Monuments found its start from humble beginnings. When the business started in 1991, Mark and Janet Peruch endeavored to produce just one granite marker each month to help cover the costs of their six children’s schooling, mission trips, and activities. For 20 years, Mark and Janet ran the business on an appointment only basis, meeting prospective clients in their homes or at Jay Chapel, where Mark worked as a Mortician and Funeral Director. As the business grew, Janet pursued the acquisition of an office space near the cemetery to make their services more accessible to families. In 2011, they secured an office space and Accent Monuments has been located in the same place since then.
The business has successfully served hundreds of families in providing monuments and memorials for loved ones passed for more than 30 years. Janet’s artwork and Mark’s craftsmanship can be found on monuments throughout Madera County cemeteries and beyond, honoring the distinguished legacies of countless lives well lived.
The Next Generation
Accent Monuments entered a new chapter in January 2025 when the company was purchased by family-friend, Lauren “Lou” Garrison. Lou has a professional background in Graphic Design and Print Technologies and started her own business, Baroness Design Shop, in 2021. Lou is also a Madera local and happy to be continuing the cherished legacy of a Madera small business. She is committed to honoring the Peruch’s legacy and delivering exceptional customer service and quality “last-responder” care to Madera families for decades to come through Accent Monuments.
Our Backstory
Accent Monuments’ 2025 sale was an unexpected blessing for all parties involved and an outstanding testimony of grace. The business had been placed on the market a number of times, but the right person for the job had proven hard to come by. Long-standing family and friendship ties eventually brought Lou and the Peruches together, and a beautiful friendship developed between them.
Mark and Janet both graciously mentored Lou in their monument making business, offering ample wisdom found through trials and triumphs in their 34 years of experience. Lou’s grandfather, Richard Speelmon, had been one of Mark’s most influential mentors and friends as he pursued his early career as a Funeral Director and Embalmer at Jay’s Chapel. Mark and Janet shared their many memories of Richard with Lou, and impressed upon her the importance of compassionately serving others in the community, a value that Richard had impressed upon them in their earlier years.
The shared values and priceless stories have been a blessing to both Lou and the Peruches. They are all enthusiastic to see the next generation of Accent Monuments begin and excited to see what the future holds.
