Our Staff
Meet Our Caring Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life. If you would like to speak to us or are ready to make, please give us a call at (717) 767-1551 (York), (717) 244-6991 (Red Lion), or (717) 938-6172 (Lewisberry).
Ernie Heffner
President
As the president of our family owned company, I am honored to present the very best staff in funeral service. They are respectfully at your service to honor your wishes in providing a funeral or cremation service.
Please feel free to let us know how we can help.
To learn more about the most caring people in funeral service, click on "testimonials" under their name and read some of the specific, written survey comments I have received from families they have served.
Thank You.
John Katora
V.P., Licensed F.D. & Certified Celebrant
In September 1981 after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, John joined our family owned company as an intern funeral director. In addition to being a licensed funeral director and licensed funeral supervisor, John is the Executive Vice President of the company. He also holds Cremation Certifications as a Crematory Operator, Crematory Administrator and a Cremation Counselor. John serves York County families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, John is also uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or who simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. John received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute.
Betty Frey
Certified Celebrant and Advance Planning Advisor
In October 1991, Betty joined our family owned firm. She is a Certified Celebrant and received her training and certification from the In-Sight Institute. Betty has written, created and performed hundreds of personalized celebrant ceremonies, each one different and unique.
In addition to being a Certified Celebrant, Betty helps families by providing advance planning information. She has conducted hundreds of advance planning seminars and provided thousands of private consultations. Private consultations are available at our offices or in the comfort of your home, whatever is best for you.
When serving in her role as a Certified Celebrant, Betty works with families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. As a Certified Celebrant, she creates a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased.
If you would like to attend a FREE informational seminar, call Betty at 888-767-1551. There is no cost or obligation to attend a seminar or to receive a private consultation.
Matthew Morris
Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Celebrant, & PA Notary
In May 1998, Matt joined our family owned firm as a licensed funeral director. He is a May 1995 graduate of the mortuary science program at Northampton Community College. Matt is a licensed funeral director, a Certified Celebrant and holds Cremation Certifications as a Crematory Operator, Crematory Administrator and a Cremation Counselor. He serves York County families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, Matt is uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Matt received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute.
Todd Eckert
Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Celebrant, & PA Notary
In January 2000, Todd joined our family owned firm as a licensed funeral director. He is a January 1995 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. In addition to being a licensed funeral director, Todd is a licensed funeral supervisor, a Certified Celebrant and is a Certified Crematory Operator. He serves York County families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, Todd is uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Todd received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute.
Nathan Ray
Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant
In February 2000 after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Nate joined our family owned firm as an intern funeral director. Nate is a licensed funeral director, a Certified Celebrant and is a Certified Crematory Operator. Nate serves York County families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, Nate is uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Nate received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute.
Ben Blascovich
Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Supervisor, & Certified Celebrant
In May 2000, Ben joined our family owned firm as a licensed funeral director. Ben is a March 1985 graduate of Simmons Institute of Funeral Service. In addition to being a licensed funeral director, Ben is also licensed funeral supervisor and a Certified Celebrant. Ben lives in Mill Hall and serves families at our Mill Hall and Renovo locations and is also available to serve families at our Milton facility.
As a Certified Celebrant, Ben is also uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or who simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Ben received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute.
Scott Ball
Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant
In February 2009, Scott joined our family owned firm as a licensed funeral director. He is a September 2007 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. In addition to being a licensed funeral director, Scott is a licensed funeral supervisor, a Certified Celebrant and holds Cremation Certifications as a Crematory Operator, Crematory Administrator and a Cremation Counselor. He serves York County families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, Scott is uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Scott received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute.
Mark Strobel
Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Supervisor, Certified Crematory Operator, & Certified Celebrant
In May 2012 after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Mark joined our family owned firm as an intern funeral director. In addition to being a licensed funeral director, Mark is also a licensed funeral supervisor and a Certified Celebrant. He also holds certifications as a Crematory Operator and a Cremation Counselor. Mark and his family live in Milton. He serves families at our Milton location as well as our facilities in Mill Hall and Renovo.
As a Certified Celebrant, Mark is also uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or who simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Mark received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute.
Debe Snyder
Certified Celebrant
In June 2017, after retiring from a career in hospice as a Bereavement Coordinator, Debe joined our family-owned firm. She is a Certified Celebrant having received her training and accreditation from the In-Sight Institute. Debe has written, created and performed many personalized celebrant ceremonies, each one different and unique.
As a Certified Celebrant, Debe works with families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a traditional, religious ceremony. As a Certified Celebrant, she creates a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the deceased.
Liam Tomsic
Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant
In January 2020 after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Liam Tomsic joined our family-owned firm as an intern funeral director. Liam is also a Certified Celebrant and a Certified Crematory Operator. He serves families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, Liam is uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. Liam received his training and certification through the In-Sight Institute.
Allison Duke
Certified Celebrant, & PA Notary
In August 2021, Allison joined our family-owned firm as an office manager. Subsequently she also became a PA Notary to assist in serving families. Over time, she observed celebrant ceremonies and the positive reaction families and their guests expressed. As a result, she pursued Certified Celebrant training and earned her accreditation from the In-Sight Institute. Allison has written, created and performed many personalized celebrant ceremonies, each one different and unique.
As a Certified Celebrant, Allison works with families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a traditional, religious ceremony. As a Certified Celebrant, she creates a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the deceased.
Isabella Elliott
Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant
After graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in May 2022, Isabella Elliott joined our family-owned firm as an intern funeral director. Isabella is also a Certified Celebrant and a Certified Crematory Operator. She serves families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, Isabella is uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. She works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Isabella received her training and certification through the In-Sight Institute.
Amy Favorito
Certified Celebrant, & PA Notary
In May 2022, Amy joined our family-owned firm as an office manager. She observed celebrant ceremonies and the positive reaction families and their guests expressed. Subsequently, she enrolled in Certified Celebrant training and earned her accreditation from the In-Sight Institute. Amy has written, created and performed unique, personalized celebrant ceremonies for families in their time of loss.
As a Certified Celebrant, Amy works with families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a traditional, religious ceremony. As a Certified Celebrant, she creates a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the deceased.
Ashley Matson
Intern Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Celebrant & Veteran
After graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in September 2024, Ashley Matson joined our family-owned firm as an intern funeral director. Ashley is also a Certified Celebrant and a Certified Crematory Operator. She serves families from our Red Lion, York and Lewisberry locations.
As a Certified Celebrant, Ashley is uniquely able to assist families who are not a member of a church or simply do not wish to have a religious service. She works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. Ashley received her training and certification through the In-Sight Institute.
Ashley also serves in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard since January 2019 through present. She has assisted in food banks, nursing homes, riots, and Veteran’s homes during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Ashley was deployed to the nation’s capital during the January insurrection and inauguration events of January 2021.
Ashley’s military recognitions include the Army Achievement Medal, the D.C. Service Ribbon, the Inauguration Medal of Service, the PA State Active-Duty Ribbon and the Armed Forces Service Medal. She is also certified in Combat Life Saver Training.
