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). Nathanael is a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Kent and 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, the Rotary Club of Akron, Akron Roundtable, 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. 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 or out running the trails of Akron's Metro Parks.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Kenneth Coughlin
Funeral Assistant
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.
Rick Sepi
Funeral Assistant
Victor Anstine
Funeral Service Assistant
Victor joined the Billow Company in 2020. He is a proud graduate of Capital University (Class of 2020) and Green High School (Class of 2016). He resides in Cuyahoga Falls.
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.
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.
Donna Overholt
Office Staff
James Simpson
Funeral Assistant
Grant Siebert
Funeral Assistant
Walter Herip
Funeral Service Assistant
Caiti Overholt
Funeral Service Assistant
Jen Skvarch
Funeral Service Assistant
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.
Janice Stratton
Beautician
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