Our Staff

Charles M. Billow

President & CEO

Charles serves as President and CEO of The Billow Co., Inc., a sixth-generation family owned business serving Northeast Ohio since 1875. In his role as President, he manages the day-to-day operations of both Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory in Akron as well as Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Kent. An Akron native, Charles graduated from Firestone High School, the University of Akron and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

He currently serves as a member of Akron General Health System's Finance Committee and Board Member of Visiting Nurse Service & Affiliates, Inc., Hospice Care Ohio, Better Business Bureau of Akron, Summit County Historical Society and the St. Paul's Endowment Foundation. He is also an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Diocesan Council- Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, Commerce Club of Akron, Leadership Akron Alumni Association, Tallmadge Rotary, WKSU Community Advisory Council and Bluecoats, Inc., and he resides in Tallmadge with his wife.

Richard T. Bissler

President Emeritus & Funeral Director

A lifelong Kent resident, Rick has served as the owner and President of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home since 1988. Rick is a 1972 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School and a 1976 University of Minnesota graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science. He received both his Funeral Directors and Embalmers license in 1976. In 1995, he became a Certified Crematory Operator through the Cremation Association of America (CANA). Rick and his wife, Jane, have 2 daughters, Stephanie (Shawn) Arden and Carlie Bissler.

He is a member of numerous civic organizations including: Kent Rotary Club and PARTA Board Member. He is also a Board Member of Hometown Bank in Kent where he serves as Vice-Chairman of the Board.

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Nathanael Billow

Executive Vice President & Treasurer, Funeral Director

Nathanael is a funeral director and serves as Executive Vice President & Treasurer. Prior to working in the funeral profession, Nathanael worked for Ford Motor Company as a Senior Financial Analyst at Ford's Global Product Development Center in Dearborn, MI. He, along with his sister Stacy, are sixth-generation members of the family to serve at Billow's and Bissler's. Growing up in the family business helped shape his personal belief that working as a funeral director is not only a career but a life-dedicating vocation.

In 2018, Nathanael successfully led the merger of his family's 145 year-old business, The Billow Co. of Akron, with Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. With the retirement of Mr. Rick Bissler, the move ensured that the community of Kent would continue to receive local family-owned care when faced with the loss of a loved one. 

He is a graduate of Tallmadge High School, Grove City College (B.S. Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, '11) and the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University (Master of Business Administration, '13). He is a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Kent and his Catholic faith taught him to embrace the philosophy of service above self. He generously gives of his time, talent, and treasure in service to the community and since returning home in 2017, has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for many notable organizations, including the Akron Better Business Bureau, the Rotary Club of Akron, Akron Roundtable, and the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children's Hospital, where he holds the office of Treasurer. He is also a member of the Akron Executives' Association and Bluecoats, Inc. In 2019, he was recognized by the Greater Akron Chamber and awarded their prestigious 30 For The Future Award, given to individuals who are trendsetters in their industry and who make an impact on the region through dynamic leadership and community service.

When time permits, he can be spotted on local golf courses with his brother Chris or out running the trails of the area's Metro Parks.

Stacy Billow

Vice President & Corporate Secretary

After graduating from the University of Akron, Anastasia joined the family business as the Company's first sixth-generation funeral director. In addition to her responsibilities caring for families at Bissler & Sons, she also serves as Vice President and Corporate Secretary. She describes working in this profession as a deep honor, because she's able to serve her neighbors in the greater Akron community-working to create lasting memories and tributes to honor loved ones.

Outside of work, she enjoys bike rides and walks in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit County Metro Parks, gardening and baking. She was an accomplished amateur tennis player, playing for the Tallmadge Blue Devils in the Suburban League. She also has a strong passion for animals-especially dogs, cats and rabbits.

Stacy is a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Kent. She resides in Tallmadge.

Mitchell Planey

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Mitch is a 2000 graduate of Youngstown State University and a 2002 graduate of The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.  He became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 2003.  Mitch has spent the majority of his career in the Canton area and joined the Billow Team in 2020.  He is a former board member of OFDA District #16.  Mitch and his wife, Sophia, live in Uniontown with their daughters, Victoria, Nadia and Ariana.  He enjoys sports, fishing and camping and loves spending his free time with his family.

Pierce Drobney

Funeral Director & Embalmer

A native of Massillon, Pierce is a 2013 graduate from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science with a B.S. in Mortuary Science. An avid Cleveland and Ohio State sports fan and most spare time found catching up on the teams, enjoys running, all alongside his wife Jenni.

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Brian Eger

General Manager

In 1981, Brian graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he served as Class President. In 1982, he received his Ohio funeral director and embalmer license, and shortly after, he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science from Edgecliff College of Xavier University. In 2007, he joined the Billow Funeral Homes team as the Funeral Director & Embalmer.

An active member and youth sponsor of Northwest Ave. Church of Christ in Tallmadge, he served as a Past President and is currently on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Embalmers Association, and is an active member of National Funeral Directors Association and Adoniram- Joppa Lodge # 517 F. & A. M. Brian is married with three children and enjoys reading, hiking and playing percussion in a Reggae band with his son. Enjoying and participating in music has always been a passion of mine.

"Being a Funeral Director & Embalmer has allowed me to provide an invaluable service to families in the community at a time of greatest need; the death of a loved one. To be the 'calm during the storm' and to anticipate ways to be of help when they may feel helpless is a truly rewarding experience," Brian shares.

Michael R. Planey

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Michael joined the team at Bissler & Sons in 2020 where he serves as a funeral director and embalmer. Prior to working at Bissler & Sons, he worked in Canton for the Reed Funeral Home and in Akron for the Schermesser Funeral Home.

Kelsey N. Hofer

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kelsey joined Bissler & Sons in 2020. A graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, she serves as a Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer and as a Certified Crematory Operator. 

Garrett Nelson

Advanced Funeral Planner & Family Follow-Up Coordinator

Garrett graduated from the BYU Marriott School of Business and joined Bissler & Sons in 2020. Originally from Shelley, Idaho, Garret resides in Cuyahoga Falls with his wife, Erin, and their Great Pyrenees

Prior to joining Bissler's, he worked in Marketing at SalesRabbit, Cummins and Revere Health.

Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, skiing, and playing pickleball.

Evan Laube

Advanced Funeral Planner & Family Follow-Up Coordinator

An Akron native, Evan joined the Bissler & Sons team in 2020 as an Advanced Funeral Planner. In his role, he assists families with pre-planning their funeral arrangements. He is a graduate of Revere High School and the University of Akron, where he was a decorated student athlete. He helped Akron’s Football Team win their first and only MAC Championship in school history in 2005. Prior to working in the funeral profession, Evan worked for his family business Laube Imaging Products, est. 1910 in Akron. He then transitioned to work in the Health Insurance industry where he provided employee benefits to local employers in the Akron area. Evan has been a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Western Reserve in Akron for the past 10 years. He resides in Bath with his wife and daughter. 

Donna Overholt

Office Staff

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Darcie Swango

Staff Accountant

Darcie joined the team at Bissler & Sons in 2019 after graduating from Kent State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration 

Erin Nelson

Office Staff

Erin graduated from the Brigham Young University School of Communications in 2017 with an emphasis in Public Relations. She is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and now lives in Cuyahoga Falls with her husband and their dog. For the past three years, she has worked in marketing and graphic design with various companies, and enjoys reading and exploring the outdoors in her spare time.

Rick Sepi

Funeral Assistant

Victor Anstine

Funeral Service Assistant

Victor joined the team at Bissler & Sons in 2020. He is a proud graduate of Capital University  (Class of 2020) and Green High School (Class of 2016). He resides in Cuyahoga Falls.

Caiti Overholt

Funeral Assistant

Jen Skvarch

Funeral Assistant

Susan Kilroy

Funeral Service Assistant

Jon Anderson

Funeral Service Assistant

Jim Simpson

Funeral Service Assistant

Ken Coughlin

Funeral Service Assistant

Walter Herip

Funeral Service Assistant

Kaitlin Hards

Funeral Service Assistant

Kaitlin joined our staff in 2019. She is presently a student at Kent State University and lives in Rootstown.

Curt Padrutt

Funeral Service Assistant

Curt joined the staff in 2019 and serves as a full time funeral service assistant. Prior to working at Bissler & Sons, he worked as a professional caddie at Firestone Country Club in Akron and Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples, FL.

A 2007 graduate of Green High School, Curt is also an avid Cleveland sports fan and a self proclaimed foodie. He and his fiancee Kelly live in Green.