Charles M. Billow

President & Chief Executive Officer

Charles currently serves as President of Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, a sixth-generation family owned business serving greater Akron since 1875. 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.

Anastasia M. Billow

Vice President & Corporate Secretary

After graduating from the University of Akron, Anastasia joined the family business as the Billow Company's first sixth-generation funeral director. In addition to her responsibilities caring for families, 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 and resides in Tallmadge.

Nathanael M. Billow

Executive Vice President & Treasurer, Funeral Director

Nathanael is a Funeral Director and also serves as the Executive Vice President & Treasurer of The Billow Co. 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). Nathanael is a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Kent, where he serves on he Parish Council. 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 Akron 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, where he serves as Treasurer, the Rotary Club of Akron, where he serves as President-Elect and Chair of the Risk Committee and The Rotary Foundation, Bluecoats Inc., of Summit County, where he serves as Treasurer, the Akron Roundtable, and the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children's Hospital, where he holds the office of Vice-Chair and Treasurer. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, the Akron Executives Association, and the Izaak Walton League of America - Martin L. Davey Chapter. 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, out running the trails of Akron's Metro Parks, or spending quality time with his fiance Gabriella. 

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Brian P. Eger

General Manager, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

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.

Kelsey N. Hofer

Funeral Director & Embalmer

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

Michael R. Planey

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Michael Planey joined the Billow Company in 2020 and serves as a funeral director & embalmer. Prior to joining Billow's, he worked for Reed Funeral Home in Canton and the Schermesser Funeral Home in Akron. 

Mitchell Planey

Funeral Director & Embalmer, Manager - Bissler & Sons Chapel

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, in his free time he can be found catching up on the teams and running alongside his wife, Jenni.

Evan Laube

Manager, Advanced Funeral Planning & Family Follow-Up

An Akron native, Evan joined the Billow 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 is also an active member of the Fairlawn Chamber of Commerce and the Akron Executives Association. He resides in Bath with his wife and two children. 

Bryan Lowe

Advanced Funeral Planner & Family Follow Up Coordinator

Bryan Lowe serves as an Advanced Funeral Planner and has over a decade of experience working in the funeral profession. He is a native of Massillon, Ohio and is proud graduate of The University of Akron. 

Kenneth Coughlin

Funeral Service Associate and Certified Crematory Operator

Ken Coughlin joined the staff at Billow's in 2006 and currently serves as lead funeral service associate. Ken is also a Certified Crematory Operator (CCO) and serves as the head cremationist at the Billow Company's onsite cremation center, located at the Fairlawn Chapel.

Ken resides in Goodyear Heights, and is proud to have been born and raised in Stow, OH. He is active in the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Mark Heffernan Division 2) and is a parishioner at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. 

Kim J. Gravis

Office Staff

Coleen Hofer

Office Manager

Coleen joined the Billow Company in 2021 and serves as an office manager at our Fairlawn Main Business Office. 

Edward Morrison

Funeral Service Assistant and Advanced Funeral Planner

Ed joined the team at the Billow Company in 2019. Born and raised in Kenmore, Ohio, he is a life long Akronite. A proud graduate of the University of Akron, Ed spent his professional career as an executive in the insurance industry and as a licensed insurance agent serving his friends and neighbors in Northeast Ohio. He served as an executive at the Evans Insurance Agency, where he served as the President of the Employee Benefits Division for 41 years. He also served as Vice President at Dawson Insurance, and later as Vice President at Assured Partners. Married to his loving wife Candy, Ed is also a devout Catholic and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mark Heffernan Division, where he served as Past President and also presently serves as the Chairman of the Akron Saint Patrick's Day Parade. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife, daughters, and his wonderful grandchildren.

Jerry Maroon

Funeral Service Assistant

Derryl Hall

Funeral Service Assistant

Dick Robbins

Funeral Service Associate

Dick joined the Billow Company in 2019. A native of Toledo, OH, Dick has lived in the Akron area for 60 years and is a 1981 graduate of the University of Akron (B.S. Business Administration). He has been employed at Firestone Country Club for 47 years in several roles and, for the last 15 years, as Member Services Manager. Dick and his wife, Chrissie, have three adult sons – Patrick (Taylor), Sean and Kelly - who all live close. They are active members of St. Francis de Sales Parish. Dick enjoys golfing, reading, music and family time. 

Pat Myers

Beautician and Hair Stylist

Carter Troyer

Funeral Service Assistant

Melissa Knauer

Funeral Service Assistant

David Miller

Funeral Service Assistant

Angela Christy

Funeral Service Associate

Angela "Angie" Christy joined our staff in 2023. In her primary career, she serves as a licensed counselor working for the state of Ohio. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Psychology Department at Kent State University, where Professor Christy teaches a course on death, dying and grieving. She joined the staff at Billow's in 2023 to gain real world practical experience working in the funeral profession, which will help her gain key insights to bring back to the classroom.