Our Staff

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.

Nathanael M. Billow

Executive Vice President & Treasurer, Funeral Director

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. She resides in Tallmadge

Brian P. 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 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

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.

Ann Billow Grebelsky

Funeral Director

Ann retired from working as a full-time funeral director at the Billow Company in 2020, after over 38 years of dedicated service. Prior to joining the Billow's team, she attended Ashland College and the University of Akron.

She is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and of the Women's Board of Summa Health System. She has served as past president of Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association, past president of the Junior Board of Akron City Hospital. Ann currently resides in Akron with her husband, child and three grandchildren. She is passionate about dogs, loves to cook and enjoys spending time outdoors in the sunshine.

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.

Curt Padrutt

Funeral Service Assistant

Curt joined the staff in 2019 and serves as a full time funeral service assistant. Prior to working at Billow's, 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, he is also an avid Cleveland sports fan and a self proclaimed foodie. He and his fiancee Kelly live in Green.

Kenneth Coughlin

Funeral Assistant

Kim J. Gravis

Office Staff

Darcie Swango

Staff Accountant

Darcie joined the staff at The Billow Co. in June 2019 after graduating from Kent State University with a B.A. in Finance. 

Donna Overholt

Office Staff

Rick Sepi

Funeral Assistant

Jon Anderson

Funeral Service Assistant

James Simpson

Funeral Assistant

Grant Siebert

Funeral Assistant

Walter Herip

Funeral Service Assistant

Caiti Overholt

Funeral Service Assistant

Jen Skvarch

Funeral Service Assistant

Janice Stratton

Beautician

Nathan Tarter

Funeral Service Assistant

Nathan Tarter joined the team at Billow's in 2019. Nathan is the Assistant Golf Professional at Firestone Country Club and spends his off-season serving as a Funeral Service Assistant at Billow'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.

Susan Kilroy

Funeral Service Assistant

Sydney Moshier

Funeral Service Assistant

Sydney is a student at West Virginia University. An aspiring Medical Examiner, she is interning at The Billow Co. to gain real world experience. 

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.

Garrett Nelson

Advanced Funeral Planner & Family Follow-Up Coordinator

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

Prior to joining Billow’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 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 resides in Bath with his wife and daughter.