SPENCER LEAK JR
May 31, 2026
SPENCER LEAK JR of Chicago, IL died May 31, 2026 at the age of 56. A third-generation funeral director since 1989, he began his career working alongside his father, Spencer Leak Sr., at the family business. He later became vice president of Leak & Sons Funeral Home, a firm founded by his grandfather, the Rev. A.R. Leak, in 1933. He...
TIMOTHY KOWALSKI
May 27, 2026
TIMOTHY KOWALSKI of Chicago, IL died May 27, 2026 at the age of 75. A graduate of the Worsham College of Mortuary Science, he joined the faculty in the 1980s and, over a distinguished 35-year teaching career, helped shape generations of funeral directors and embalmers, earning the endearing nicknames “Cobra” and “Special K” from his students.
ROBERT F. “BOB” VANDENBERGH
May 26, 2026
ROBERT F. “BOB” VANDENBERGH of Rochester, MI died May 26, 2026 at the age of 78. A licensed funeral director since 1969, he became a partner and later served as president and CEO of Fred H. Kaul Funeral Homes, Inc., which operated locations in Roseville, Clinton Township, and St. Clair Shores. Bob earned a degree in mortuary science from Wayne...
JAY ARTHUR BECK
May 23, 2026
JAY ARTHUR BECK of St. Clairsville, OH died May 23, 2026 at the age of 78. A third-generation licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1971, he began helping his father, Arthur, at Beck Funeral Home before serving his apprenticeship and eventually becoming owner. He continued in that role until the funeral home was acquired by Altmeyer Funeral Homes and Crematory in...
JOEL F. JEROME
May 21, 2026
JOEL F. JEROME of Westfield Center, OH died May 21, 2026 at the age of 74. He was a longtime funeral director and embalmer at Ripepi Funeral Home in Parma, OH.
ERIC PAUL ROCHETTE
May 12, 2026
ERIC PAUL ROCHETTE of Nashua, NH died May 12, 2026 at the age of 55. A second-generation funeral director for 35 years, he began working alongside his father, Paul, at the former Anctil-Rochette & Son Funeral Home in Nashua in 1991. He later purchased the business and renamed it Rochette Funeral Home & Cremation Services. He and his wife, Deanna,...
TIMOTHY TOTTEN
May 11, 2026
TIMOTHY TOTTEN of Eustis, FL died May 11, 2026 at the age of 50. He established Final Embrace in 2001 while working at a small family-owned funeral home. What began as a modest operation grew steadily after Totten launched a website and started selling his quilted cot covers nationwide, making his first appearance at a statewide trade show in 2007....
DAVID F. KOMOROWSKI
May 1, 2026
DAVID F. KOMOROWSKI of Brecksville, OH died May 1, 2026 at the age of 80. A licensed funeral director and embalmer for 40 years, he served as president of Tabone-Komorowski Funeral Home and was a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
BRIAN MICHAEL WELSCH
Apr 26, 2026
BRIAN MICHAEL WELSCH of Youngstown, OH died April 26, 2026 at the age of 71. He completed his mentorship under the late John Hughes before going on to serve for 40 years as a funeral director at McVean & Hughes Funeral Home.
MARK WILLIAM KRAMER
Apr 17, 2026
MARK WILLIAM KRAMER of Palouse, WA died April 17, 2026 at the of of 76. A second-generation funeral director, he began working alongside his father, Jack Kramer, at Kramer Funeral Home at the age of 14. He later completed his apprenticeship at Hazen & Jager Funeral Home before returning to the family firm, where he became co-owner. A graduate of...