Our Staff

Daniel P. Madden

CFSP, President, Certified Celebrant

Daniel P. Madden was born and raised in the Greater Youngstown area.  He grew up in Canfield and later graduated from South Range High School in 1998.  After attending Youngstown State University, Dan went on to Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where he received a B.M.S. in 2001.  In October of 2011 he became a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner through The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.  With 20 years in the funeral industry, Dan worked primarily at Becker Funeral Homes in the Greater Youngstown area.  The opportunity arose for Dan to purchase Stark Memorial in January of 2019..  Dan is truly grateful for the opportunity to carry on the legacy of Russell Loudon in serving families of Salem and surrounding communities.  Dan is a member and Secretary of of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, NFIB, Selected Independent, and Ohio Embalmers Association. Dan is Immediate Past President of Poland Rotary and a member of the Salem Rotary Club. He also a member of Trinity Fellowship Church and St. Paul Catholic Church in Salem,  Sons of AMVETS, Elks #305, and the Italian-American Club, and Greenford Ruritan. In 2020, Dan became a Certified Celebrant.  Dan is married to his wife, Claudia Kovach and they reside in Canfield.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Russell C. Loudon

Funeral Director Emeritus

Russell was born in New Garden, Ohio in 1928 and moved to Winona in 1942. He is a 1946 graduate of Salem High School graduate.  Russell went on to study at Ohio State and The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  He served his apprenticeship at the Eckard Funeral Home in Akron ,Ohio and became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1950.  During that time, he met his wife Marilyn Williams, who was a nursing student at Akron General Hospital.  They married in 1956.  Together they moved to Salem, where he purchased part ownership of Stark Memorial from Jack R. Horroff, along with partner James Griffin, who later retired.  Russell's memberships include the First Presbyterian Church, Saxon Club, Salem Hose Club, Past President  and member of the Salem Rotary Club, Salem Elks, and a 62-year Mason, Al Koran Shrine, and the remaining founding member and Past President of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, 25- year member of the Board of Trustees for the Salem Community Hospital, board member of the Salem City Health Department, former Chairman of the United Way and Chairman of the Salem Jubilee Ball.  The Salem Chamber of Commerce recently honored Russell with a special award for the beautiful landscaping surrounding the funeral home through the years. His family includes his wife Marilyn; daughter Julie (Sam) Johnson and his two grandchildren, Paige and Hayden Johnson.

Steven B. Ward

Funeral Director and Pre-Planning Specialist

Steven was born and raised in Salem, Ohio. He was a 1975 graduate of United Local High School, attended Salem City Schools, and Kent State University.  Steve began working in the funeral industry in 1984 at Stark Memorial and received his Directors License in 1984. Steve and his wife, Marilyn, reside in Salem and have one daughter, Allison.

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Jeffrey L. Davis

Funeral Director and Embalmer

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 .  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 American.  One of his true passions is American and Presidential History.  

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Cindy Aukerman

Adminstrative Assistant

Cindy is from Salem and the wife of Joel and mother to Brandon (Paramedic, Firefighter and fire inspector), Elizabeth(college student), and Ivy girl (bulldog, blue heeler mix).  She loves photography, scrapbooking, and going to the beach.  Cindy has been with Stark Memorial as an Administrative Assistant since 2015. She states, "I love my job and the people we help." 

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: