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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Timothy Francisco

Funeral Director & Embalmer

A resident of Brimfield, Tim is a 1985 graduate of Morehead State University with a B.S. in Biology. He received his A.S. in Mortuary Science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1991. 

Tim is a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association and is a certified Crematory Operator. He attends Lake Brady United Methodist Church. In his spare time, Tim enjoys skiing, trapshooting and hunting. Tim and his wife Chris have 2 daughters, Natalie and Miranda

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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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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 serves on the Board of Directors for the Akron Better Business Bureau, the Rotary Club of Akron, 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. When time permits, he can be spotted on local golf courses with his brother Chris or out running the trails of Akron's Metro Parks.

Donna Overholt

Office Staff

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Rick Sepi

Funeral Assistant

Jake Knapp

Funeral Assistant

Caiti Overholt

Funeral Assistant

Jon Anderson

Funeral Service Assistant

Jen Skvarch

Funeral Assistant

Brian Eger

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Jim Simpson

Funeral Service Assistant

Ken Coughlin

Funeral Service Assistant

Susan Kilroy

Funeral Service Assistant

Stacy Billow

Licensed Funeral Director

Walter Herip

Funeral Service Assistant

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 

Kaitlin Hards

Funeral Service Assistant

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

Nathan Tarter

Funeral Service Assistant

Nathan Tarter joined the team at Bissler & Sons in 2019. Nathan is the Assistant Golf Professional at Firestone Country Club and spends his off-season serving as a Funeral Service Assistant at Bissler's. He is a 2014 graduate of Malone University and a 2009 graduate of Mogadore High School. 

An accomplished athlete, Nathan spent time competing as a touring professional on the Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada. 

He resides in Akron.

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.