Our Staff
Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
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.
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
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.
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 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 Rotary Club of Akron, 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.
Rick Sepi
Funeral Assistant
Jake Knapp
Funeral Assistant
Caiti Overholt
Funeral Assistant
Jon Anderson
Funeral Service Assistant
Jen Skvarch
Funeral Assistant
Annie Billow Grebelsky
Licensed Funeral Director & Corporate Secretary
Brian Eger
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Charles Pardee
Funeral Service Assistant
Donald Taylor
Vice President & General Manager; Licensed Funeral Director
Jim Simpson
Funeral Service Assistant
Ken Coughlin
Funeral Service Assistant
Susan Kilroy
Funeral Service Assistant
Stacy Billow
Licensed Funeral Director
Sydney Moshier
Funeral Service Assistant
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.
Edward Morrison
Advanced Funeral Planner
Ed joined the staff at Billow's in 2019 and currently serves as an Advanced Funeral Planner. Ed previously served as owner and Licensed Insurance Agent with the Evans Insurance Agency, which was founded in 1876 and was Akron's oldest insurance agency. Upon the sale of his company, Ed joined the staff at Billow's.
Ed attended The University of Akron and graduated from Kenmore High School Class of 1971. He and Chip Billow are lifelong friends and originally met through the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at the University of Akron.
Ed works part time as a starter at Firestone Country Club during the summer. He is married to his wife, Candy, and is actively involved in the Catholic Church. He is a parishioner at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Norton and volunteers with the Knights of Columbus, the Hibernian Club, the Boys and Girls Club, and Norton Kiwanis. He is a past board member of the Norton City School Board. In his free time, Ed enjoys golfing, fishing and spending time with his family.
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.