Our Staff

Daniel P. Madden

CFSP, President, Certified Celebrant, CCO

Daniel P. Madden, a native of the Greater Youngstown area, grew up in Canfield and graduated from South Range High School in 1998. After attending Youngstown State University, he earned a B.M.S. from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2001. With 20 years in the funeral industry, Dan, a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner since October 2011, has primarily served at Becker Funeral Homes in the Greater Youngstown area. In January 2019, he seized the opportunity to purchase Stark Memorial.

Grateful for the chance to continue Russell Loudon's legacy in serving Salem and surrounding communities, Dan is deeply involved in professional associations, including the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, NFIB, Selected Independent, and Ohio Embalmers Association. He holds the role of Immediate Past President of Poland Rotary, is a Salem Rotary Club member, and actively participates in Trinity Fellowship Church, St. Paul Catholic Church in Salem, St. Charles Catholic Church in Boardman, Sons of AMVETS, Elks #305, Italian-American Club, and Greenford Ruritan.

In 2020, Dan achieved certification as a Celebrant, followed by becoming a Crematory Operator in 2021. He shares his life in Canfield with his wife, Claudia Kovach, and their two children, Michael Daniel and Mabel Joan.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Anthony J. Nacarato

Funeral Director, Embalmer, Assistant Manager

Born and raised on the north side of Youngstown he attended St. Anthony of Padua grade school and graduated in 1986 from Ursuline High School. Anthony received his bachelor’s degree from the Williamson School of Business at Youngstown State University and furthered his education and received a degree in Specialized Technology / Embalming and Funeral Directing, from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Anthony began his career in the funeral industry in 1985, while still in high school. After graduating from PIMS he served his apprenticeship at Schiavone Funeral Home and worked there until 2003. In 2003 Anthony took a position as an Embalmer and Funeral Director with Lane Family Funeral Homes. Over his 20 years with Lane’s, he served as an assistant manager, occupational health and safety manager and most recently as the lead director for the Mahoning County Division of Lane Family Funeral Homes.

He is a resident of the city of Canfield where he formerly served on the city council, the Canfield Board of Design and Review, and the Canfield Schools Planning Commission. Anthony is also and active member of the Canfield Rotary Club where is has served in many rolls including past president. He has also been the Chairman of the Lighting of the Green in Canfield for 15 plus years. He was the driving force to add additional electricity on the village green and later lead the push to rebuild the gazebo on the village green, raising over $300,000 for those projects.

Anthony is also active with Boy Scouts of America, serving in as a leader in both the pack and troop of BSA 9022 out of St. Christine Church. He has served as Fund Rasing Chair, Committee Chair, and Charter Representative, among other rolls. His two sons have both earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 9022.

A member of St. Christine Parish, Anthony is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Immaculata / Youngstown Council 274 where he was the Financial Secretary for 15+ years and currently serves on its board, as well as the Knights of Columbus Assembly 824, where he currently sits on the board of directors for their scholarship committee. These are the first council and assembly in the state of Ohio.

Anthony is also a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association, the Tri County Funeral Directors Association, as well as the Pacentrano Men’s Club.

Anthony and his wife, Josie (Josephine DiNello), have been married since 2000 and live in Canfield with their two sons, Joseph and Domenic, and their cat, Boo.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Jeffrey L. Davis, CCO

Funeral Director, Embalmer, Crematory Operator

Jeff Davis is a 1993 graduate of David Anderson High School and went on to attend Kent State University. Jeff transferred his credits to Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he graduated in 1998 with an Associate Degree in Specialized Business. He received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Professional Studies from Point Park College in Pittsburgh.

In 1999, he started serving apprenticeship with Stark Memorial and has been with the company ever since as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He became a Crematory Operator in 2021. Jeff also serves as an officiant at numerous funerals if requested.

He is a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association, Church of Nazarene in Lisbon, and Salem Music Study Club in Salem. Jeff has attained the Rank of Eagles Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. One of his true passions is American and Presidential History.  

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Shannon Burt

Funeral Director and Embalmer

Shannon, funeral director/embalmer, is a graduate of Western Reserve High School in Berlin Center. She later went to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from YSU. A graduate of PIMS, she served her apprenticeship at Lane Funeral Home in 2013. Upon completion of her apprenticeship, she spent two years in Muskegon, Michigan working for a family-owned business. In this role, she served as the primary embalmer, specializing in cosmetics and gaining valuable experience in the many details of the funeral industry.

Since then, Shannon has gone on to work for other high volume funeral homes where her primary focus has been guiding families through the intricate process of funeral arrangements. Having been in the business for 10 years, she takes great pride in providing direction during difficult times, ensuring that families feel supported and understood. Shannon joined the team at Stark Memorial in 2021.

Outside of her professional interests, Shannon finds fulfillment in family life. She resides in Salem with her family.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

April Yurkovich

Funeral Director/Embalmer Apprentice

April Yurkovich grew up in Canfield, but briefly left the area and attended Denver School of Massage Therapy in Denver, Colorado. After returning to Ohio, she has since worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist for 12 years. Although massage therapy has been a rewarding profession, the threat of career-ending injuries instigated her career change. The meaningfulness of the funeral service field appealed to her, and she continued her education at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (Associate in Specialized Technology) and Youngstown State University (Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Allied Health) graduating summa cum laude from both schools. She joined Stark Memorial in March 2022. Beyond work, April is an avid equestrian, enjoys flower gardening, and amateur photography of her cat, Beefy.  

Cindy Aukerman

Office Manager

Cindy, office manager, is a life-long resident of Salem graduating in 1987 from Salem High School. She worked in graphic design for 25 years.

For fun, she loves photography, scrapbooking, and traveling. She loves going to the beach, beach hopping and collecting sand to put in decorative bottles from each one.

Cindy has been with Stark Memorial since 2017. She states, "I love my job and the people we help."

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Renee Coleman-Eichler

Administrative Assistant

Renee is a 2004 graduate of Beaver Local High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in sports communication from Bethany College in 2008. She is an active member of the community. Among the organizations she works with are The Brightside Project, Hanoverton Canal Days, 4-H Jr. Leaders, and Tri-County 4 Wheelers. She and her husband, Harris, reside on their Hanover Township farm with their animals.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Claudia Kovach

Marketing Director

Claudia Kovach is a corporate secretary for an industrial repair center in Youngstown and the marketing director for Stark Memorial. She is actively involved in the Ohio Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business serving on the Leadership Council. She is on the board of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. Claudia is an advisory board member at New Castle School of Trades and for the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center’s machining program.

Prior to the industrial repair industry, Claudia worked in marketing and public relations at the Cleveland Clinic, Delta Air Lines and Kent State University. She is a graduate of Kent State University with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She also attended Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and has various certificates in industrial maintenance.

 She lives in Canfield with her husband, Dan Madden, and son Mike and daughter Mabel.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

John Burkey

Florist

John is a 1980 graduate of South Range High School. He also studied Horticulture/Floriculture at the Mahoning County Joint Vocational School. After working for area florists, he opened Quaker Corner Flowers and Gifts in Salem in 1982, where he remained the owner/operator for nearly 38 years before joining the staff of Stark Memorial as their in-house florist in 2019.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Bruce Hitchcock

Advance Funeral Planner

Bruce, a preneed specialist, was born in Warren, Ohio where he attended and graduated from Joseph Badger High School in 2006.

After moving to Boardman in 2015, he obtained My Life and Health Insurance license and worked for Lincoln Heritage selling final expense life insurance.

After losing his father in 2021 and realizing the difficulties of having to make all of those decisions, he wanted to help others during these tragic times.

 Bruce took a position at Calvary Cemetery whereas, a family service advisor, he could help families with their final arrangements.

He joined Stark Memorial in May 2023, whereas, an advanced funeral planner, he can assist families in removing the burden from their family by planning ahead.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Samuel Campana

Crematory Manager

Samuel was born in the Greater Youngstown area and raised in Boardman. Graduate of Boardman High School in 2000.  Samuel continued in education at YSU and entered the Paramedic program.

After completion, Samuel served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Combat Medic and his community as a Paramedic in Youngstown.

Samuel served two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Samuel later earned his degree from YSU in 2020.

Samuel received his certification as a Crematory Operator in the State of Ohio.  He joined Stark Memorial in June of 2022.  Samuel is an active member of Bethel Friends Church in Poland.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Tony Ieropoli

Support Staff

Randy Colian

Support Staff

Brenda Poage

Support Staff

Debbie Leggett

Community Liason

Roger Thawley

Support Staff

Ron Poage

Support Staff

Michael Farrington

Crematory Operator

Harold McCue

Support Staff