Our Caring Staff

Owner and president of our firm. Fourth generation funeral director and certified crematory operator, Jim is guided by his principles in faith, family and friends. He loves to hear feedback from our families. Proudly serving Busch families since 1986.

Email: jhbusch@buschcares.com

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John M. Busch was a third generation funeral director and former owner of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services. He was also the proud father of Jim and Mark Busch. He's remembered by those he served.

After nearly 40 years, Mark retired from Busch Funeral and Crematory Services. He served alongside his brother Jim as a co-owner, passionate about preplanning and personalizing services.

Skillfully and compassionately manages our Avon and Avon Lake locations. Meghan and her husband, Bill, enjoy vacations with their son Otto, while also supporting community, church and school events.Graciously serving Busch families since 1998.

Email: mburmeister@buschcares.com

Lifelong resident and community participant of Avon, and funeral director since 1992. Bill is one of our longest-standing Busch employees. Bill is a skilled artist who paints and draws what he observes in the beauty of our woods, Lake Erie and gardens.

Honorably serving Busch families since 1990.

Email: wmburmeister@buschcares.com

Ensures that each family’s expectations are met every step of the way as they honor their loved one. Amy and her husband, Vincent, enjoy outdoor activities year-round, especially cheering on our local teams to victory. Proudly serving Busch families since 2012.

Email: agrandillo@buschcares.com

With over seven years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, Paula is compassionate and caring towards families she serves to the point that they include her in their healing process and request her services in the loss of other loved ones. Paula and her husband, Jeramiah relocated to the Parma Heights area to join the Busch team.

Email: pharrison-holland@buschcares.com

Passionate about service and community involvement, and one of Busch's longest-standing employees. Jeff is involved in several Elyria-area organizations, churches and schools. He also enjoys serving the diverse cultural and religious Cleveland community.Proudly serving Busch families since 1990.

Email: jhogan@buschcares.com

Funeral industry veteran of 44 years. Appreciates the opportunity to help families with funeral arrangements for their loved ones, both locally and internationally.

Email: alaumer@buschcares.com

Vanessa, a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science 2018, is a passionate licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Vanessa has made it her mission to serve families further by becoming a Thanatologist. When not assisting families, her time is spent with her husband and three children serving in the community, finding new adventures by locating secret Cleveland locations, and crafting. She strives to provide equal attention, care, and commitment to every family she serves as if they were an expansion of her own.

Email: vleon-verde@buschcares.com

After more than 15 years in funeral service, Megan is honored to serve every family she meets. She and her family are new to the Avon – Avon Lake area, and they enjoy exploring all it has to offer. They spend time walking by the lake, hiking at the local Metroparks and sampling the great variety of cuisine in Greater Cleveland.

Email: mlewis@buschcares.com

David has been in funeral service for over 10 years as a second career, leaving behind seminary life and working in the Catholic Church for a decade. He enjoys all things family, especially exploring the greater Cleveland area and Metro Parks with his wife, two children and their white shepherd.

Email: dnapoli@buschcares.com

Enjoys meeting people and guiding them through the best options for honoring their loved one. Joe is an avid gardener, creating tropical landscapes for friends to enjoy.Proudly serving Busch families since 2006.

Email: jsciuva@buschcares.com

Thirty years of experience helping people on the hardest day of their lives, and one of Busch's longest-standing staff members. Bob provides valuable guidance to families with his expertise and compassion. He serves on two non-profit boards in the greater Cleveland area, promoting healthcare and the arts. Proudly serving Busch families since 1983.

Email: rsolich@buschcares.com

Having been in the funeral business for 10 years, Christian has made his way from an assistant working at a small family funeral home on the west side of Cincinnati while attending the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science to being a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer at our Parma location serving families with Busch Funeral Homes. When not in the service of others, he enjoys staying current on all streaming media with his girlfriend, getting a good gym session in, and spending as much time as possible with his parents, sister, and niece.

Email: cspeth@buschcares.com

Alex Sweet, graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science 2020, is passionate about serving families. Having a family of four daughters with his wife, he strives to provide the same care and dedication to each family he serves as if they were an extension of his own. When not assisting families, he can be found exploring the greater Cleveland area or crafting with his children.

Email: asweet@buschcares.com

A summa cum laude graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College, Marie promises an economically elegant memorialization of your loved one with care and compassion. This is Marie's second career—you may remember her on Cleveland radio and TV as "Marie Manzo."

Honorably serving Busch families since 2015.

Email: mtomaro@buschcares.com

Wendy is a licensed funeral director and embalmer that is dedicated to caring for families with empathy and compassion.

Believes that one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind is to put a plan in place now, to guide those we love into the future. It’s Kathleen’s privilege to give you sincere and honest information on the many end-of-life choices available to you.

Honorably serving Busch families since 2002.

Email: kbloesinger@buschcares.com

Funeral director, embalmer and licensed insurance agent helping families make wise decisions about preplanning for nearly 30 years. Photography and crafting are just some of Julie’s creative outlets.

Graciously serving Busch families since 1999.

Email: jgskinner@buschcares.com

With compassion and years of experience, Skip guides individuals in establishing detailed end-of-life plans, so families can feel confident that their loved ones’ wishes are being honored.

Email: skip@skolnikretirement.com

Martha has worked in the corporate and non-profit worlds in communications as well as in training and development. She taught speech and communication at Lorain County Community College for fifteen years and served as a Worship Associate at Westshore Unitarian Universalist Church. She is a certified yoga instructor and has extensive experience in local community theater. Martha considers it a sacred honor to serve families by designing a tribute that captures their special story.

Email: mblachly-cross@buschcares.com

Interested in what makes each one of us unique and special. Amy says she is privileged to have the opportunity to help families and friends honor those qualities in their loved one. She has a passion for music and words, and enjoys using these tools to remember and celebrate a life.

Email: abkirksey@buschcares.com

During her time in education, Mary taught a course on Death and Dying and helped to lead a grief support group for students who lost loved ones.  She thinks it is so important to honor those who have gone before us and to be present to those who are left behind. She has been an avid Cleveland baseball fan her whole life and enjoys traveling to Texas with her husband to visit their son. Mary believes it is a privilege to lead a service and tell the story that honors those who have died. 

Email: mdwyer-kueller@buschcares.com

Carefully listens to the memories and stories of loved ones. Jim designs services that celebrate and pay tribute to each unique life. He and his wife participate in many of their church's programs, frequently leading small groups and assisting with worship on a regular basis.

Honorably serving Busch families since 2008.

Email: jlongsworth@buschcares.com

Considers it an honor as a Certified Celebrant to listen to life stories, and then design and conduct meaningful tributes. Cathy also trains celebrants nationally, equipping them to share those legacies in ways that comfort and enlighten.

Honorably serving Busch families since 2004.

Email: cnichols@buschcares.com

Creates personalized and meaningful celebration of life services. Heidi’s calling is helping families pay tribute to their loved ones in meaningful ways. As a lifelong Lorain County resident, she has been involved with her hometown church, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and schools.

Proudly serving Busch families since 2012.

Email: hthimke@buschcares.com

Privileged to share legacies as a Certified Celebrant since 2011. With a background in teaching, Jan also leads and trains several groups in her church. An avid golfer, swimmer and Bridge enthusiast, but time with her grandchildren is her favorite.

Proudly serving Busch families since 2011.

Email: jtraxler@buschcares.com

Fran was a Volunteer Coordinator for two local hospice agencies for several years before stepping into her role on the Outreach Team as Activity Assistant at the Parma Heights Senior Center. She feels it is a privilege to bring her creativity and compassion to the life tributes she designs as a Certified Celebrant.

Email: fzielaskiewicz@buschcares.com

Highly skilled and well versed in crematory and embalmer techniques and care of the deceased. Kent is extremely proud of his Cleveland roots, and enjoys attending Playhouse Square, Severance Hall, downtown restaurants and local museums.

Honorably serving Busch families since 2005.

Email: kpberkheimer@buschcares.com

Admired restoration expert, lifelong funeral industry professional and one of Busch's longest-standing employees. Bill grew up in the industry alongside his father, helping with all aspects of the profession starting at age 15. He is an avid car enthusiast, attending auto shows, restoring vehicles and researching vintage models.

Proudly serving Busch families since 1986.

Email: wcburmeister@buschcares.com

Dedicated to serving families and their loved ones, Dana is passionate about embalming and restoration. When she is not working, Dana enjoys spending time with her family, especially her niece and nephew.

Email: divins@buschcares.com

Trained in restorative and embalming arts, as well as funeral arrangements, Liz strives to ensure that every family has the opportunity to say goodbye in the most meaningful way for them. Liz is an avid reader across many disciplines with a special interest in foreign affairs.

Honorably serving Busch families since 2015.

Email: Ememke@buschcares.com

With more than 30 years in the funeral industry, Randy has a genuine care for the deceased and is a skilled embalmer and crematory operator. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and spending time with his family and dogs.

Email: rvanhove@buschcares.com

Started her career in public accounting helping clients with their financial needs. As one of Busch's longest-standing employees, Sharon feels like she's part of the family! She enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Proudly helping the Busch staff since 1991.

Email: sgeisman@buschcares.com

Before his retirement in August 2022, Ron kept our facilities, vehicles, and grounds attractive and welcoming, and was one of Busch's longest-standing staff members at 39 years (since 1983). We will always appreciate his commitment to safety, as his team mowed lawns, cleared leaves, removed snow and ice, and maintained our interiors.

Designs and implements processes and tech that keep our organization running smoothly to better serve customers. Melissa loves going on adrenaline-inducing adventures and spending time with her husband, two children, two dogs, two cats, two rats and a ball python.

Graciously assisting the Busch staff since 2015.

Email: msteele-steeber@buschcares.com

John graciously served the community and Busch family for 22 years. We will always remember John's compassion and warm smile.

All of us here at Busch Funeral and Crematory Services are honored to have had Roger Berry work closely with us serving our families. Roger was a legend.