Our Staff
Each funeral is deeply personal and emotional, so each time a guest walks through the Billow’s doors, they will be met with an unwavering level of kindness and courtesy— by our dedicated team of people.
Our highly-trained team is available whenever you need us—every day and every night. We offer funeral, cremation and burial services and also provide grief and bereavement counseling to fit your family’s needs.
We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
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
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). He is a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Kent and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children's Hospital, 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.
Ann Billow Grebelsky
Corporate Secretary & Funeral Director
Ann currently serves as manager of the Billow's Fairlawn Chapel and has worked for the company since 1982. 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.
Anastasia M. Billow
Funeral Director
After graduating from the University of Akron, Anastasia joined the Billow's family business as the first sixth-generation funeral director. She describes working in this industry 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 also has a strong passion for animals-especially dogs, cats and rabbits.
Donald P. Taylor
Vice President & Funeral Director
An employee of the Billow Co. since 1985, Donald graduated from the University of Akron and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. In addition to Donald's duties as a funeral director, he has served the company as the Personnel Director and as the manager of the Billow's Falls Chapel.
Tim 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
Brian P. Eger
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.
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.
Kim J. Gravis
Office Staff
Veronica M. Haase
Office Staff
Donna Overholt
Office Staff
Kenneth Coughlin
Funeral Assistant
DeAnna Reed
Funeral Assistant
DeAnna Reed lives in Garrettsville on a small farm. DeAnna graduated from James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville.
She is very proud of her three children. Her boys Kenny and Eddie both serve with the United States Coast Guard and her daughter, Tami, is a cosmetologist, and is married to John, who also serves with the United States Coast Guard. Tami and John have two boys, Joshua and Jackson. DeAnna loves spending time with their children and grandchildren, working on their farm and tending to their horses and dogs.
Charles A. Pardee
Funeral Assistant
James Simpson
Funeral Assistant
David Loar
Funeral Assistant
Rick Sepi
Funeral Assistant
Grant Siebert
Funeral Assistant
Jake Knapp
Funeral Assistant
Walter Herip
Funeral Service Assistant
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.
Caiti Overholt
Funeral Service Assistant
Jen Skvarch
Funeral Service Assistant
Jon Anderson
Funeral Service Assistant
Janice Stratton
Beautician
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