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: 

Shelby McDanel-Evans

Assistant Manager, Funeral Director/Embalmer

Shelby L. McDanel-Evans was born and raised in New Castle, Pennsylvania. She was a 2002 graduate of Shenango High School in New Castle and attended Youngstown State University to earn her general requirements before entering mortuary school.

In 2005, Shelby moved to Cincinnati and enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. She graduated in December of 2006, earning her bachelor’s degree in mortuary science summa cum laude. She was the recipient of the Dr. George M. Sleichter Award, which is the class salutatorian award, and the Ohio Crematory Operators Association Award. Shelby also was Secretary/Treasurer of her class and a member of the Delta Gamma Pi Professional Sorority.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Shelby served her apprenticeship at Becker Funeral Homes and remained with the firm for 18 years, serving as an Ohio licensed funeral director and embalmer. She also holds an Ohio Insurance Sales License to sell pre-need funeral insurance.

Shelby is a member of the Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana Counties Funeral Directors Association, where she served as President for three years, and the Ohio Embalmers Association.

Outside of her professional pursuits, she finds relaxation and joy in working alongside her husband, Mark, on their country property in New Middletown, flower gardening, decorating for every season, antiquing, and looking for any reason to host get-togethers at their home for family and friends.

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: 

Emma S. Linnen

Funeral Director and Embalmer

Emma S. Linnen was born and raised in Struthers, Ohio. She graduated from Struthers High School in 2018. She furthered her education at Youngstown State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies in 2020. Once she graduated from YSU, she continued to pursue a career in funeral service, which she always believed would be the path she would take.

Emma enrolled at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2021. While attending online school at PIMS, she was gaining experience in any way she could. Emma loves to learn and gain knowledge from those who came before her. She especially loves to build new experiences and relationships with those who can offer her valuable lessons. She earned an AST degree in the fall of 2023 from PIMS.

Emma also values offering families a personalized celebration of their loved one’s life and legacy. She is a certified funeral celebrant, gaining her certification through InSight Institute.

After serving her yearlong apprenticeship, Emma became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for the state of Ohio in March of 2025.

Emma is looking forward to educating and guiding families through one of the most difficult times of their lives. She believes it is an honor and a privilege to serve the community in this way. 

Telephone: 1-330-332-5139

Email: 

Mark Watts

Advanced Funeral Planner

  Mark is a 1989 graduate of Chippewa High School in Doylestown, Oh as well as a graduate from the University of Akron where he received a BA in Political Science. Mark is also a licensed insurance agent specializing in Preplanned Funeral policies.

  Mark has worked as a Funeral Preplanner since 2020. What he enjoys most about his position is bringing families peace of mind... decisions made today will remove a great burden from their families allowing them the time needed to properly grieve the loss of a family member.

  Away from work, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Sioux, golfing, and traveling with his family. He has 3 boys: Jacoby, Jace, and Jayden.

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, 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

Tony Ieropoli

Support Staff

Brenda Poage

Support Staff

Randy Colian

Support Staff

Debbie Leggett

Community Liason

Roger Thawley

Support Staff

Harold McCue

Support Staff

Melanie Anderson

Crematory Operator