Our Staff

The Reverend Doctor Nathan Corl Minnich, STS, CFSP, MBIE - is a fifth generation funeral director and embalmer. He purchased the funeral homes and began operation January 2019. 

He is a graduate of Williams Valley Jr./Sr. High School. He is also a graduate of the New England Institute at Mount Ida College with an Associate in Science degree in Funeral Service and a Bachelor of Science degree in Bereavement Studies. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and holds insurance licenses in both states for funeral prearrangements and funding.

Nathan resides in Elizabethville in the historic Lutheran Parsonage.

In May of 2007 Nathan completed his Master of Theological Studies degree at Boston University - School of Theology, and has done subsequent graduate study at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and the Association Free Lutheran Seminary in Minneapolis, MN. On March 22, 2009 he was ordained into the holy ministry of Word and Sacrament and was called to serve as the pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, Elizabethville; a Lutheran congregation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). He is a member of the Society of the Holy Trinity (STS) and serves on the Endowment Committee. In 2018 he graduated from Boston University - School of Theology with a Doctor of Ministry degree. His dissertation was entitled "Where is the Body?-Funeral Liturgy as Catechesis."

Within the local community Nathan is committed to providing quality faith centered bereavement support and provides professional facilitation for grief support groups as well as individual pastoral counseling for those struggling with death and loss. He previously served as a member of the Board of Education at the Upper Dauphin Area School District. 

While studying in Boston, Nathan served as a member of the faculty at the New England Institute at Mount Ida College where he taught embalming and funeral directing. While at the college he also served as the director of decedent care where he and his students cared for families as referred through the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston. Nathan also served as the coordinator of funeral service continuing education through the National Center for Death Education.

Nathan is a certified funeral service practitioner (CFSP) with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice awarded for his diligence in continuing education and community service. He has been inducted a Member of the British Institute of Embalmers for continually promoting the study, education and improvement of modern embalming, he also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the British Institute of Embalmers - North American Division. He was a member of the faculty at the International Cemetery and Funeral Association University - College of Embalming and Restorative Art. He is also a member of the Association of Death Education and Counseling, National Funeral Directors Association, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, former Vice President - Dauphin County Funeral Directors Association, Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity where he served as a Charter Master Artist and Faculty Advisor, and the International Federation of Thanatologists Association.

Nathan was a charter member of the American Society of Embalmers where he served on the board of directors.

Locally, Nathan is a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Elizabethville where he serves as the pastor. He is the Music Director of the central Pennsylvania premier male chorus, Men in Harmony.

He is a Past Master and current secretary of Ashlar Lodge #570 F&AM in Lykens, PA, and Past Master of Pine Grove Lodge #409 F&AM, a member of the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research F&AM, a Past High Priest of Perseverance Royal Arch Chapter No. 21, a Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Harrisburg Council No. 7 of Royal & Select Masters, and a Past Commander of Pilgrim Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 11 Harrisburg, the orator of Harrisburg Consistory AASR, Sovereign Prince of the Council of Princes of Jerusalem, a chaplain of Zembo Shrine, member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon Harrisburg Forest No. 43, and the Glen Chapter No. 425 OES., Lykens. He is also a member of Rex Council AMD, Erin Council Knight Masons, and Pilgrim Preceptors - Mayflower Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine Trinity Conclave, Penn Priory KYCH, and St. Thomas of Acon - Provincial Grand Cellerar. Nathan currently serves as Grand Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of Pennsyvania, the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsyvania, and the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar in Pennsylvania. In 2019 he was appointed to serve as a Puissant District Deputy Grand Master for the Council of Royal & Select Master Masons. 

Nathan is a former member of The Dodge Company in Cambridge, MA, and has traveled the northeast presenting continuing education seminars in embalming and other topics in thanatology for various organizations. He is a contributing author in the fourth edition of the textbook Embalming: History, Theory and Practice (McGraw Hill, 2006). He is also a published author in the areas of Death Education, mortuary science and has contributed to the American Funeral Director magazine.

You can read his latest artice "Minister in the Morgue" here.

Telephone: 1-717-647-9382

Email: nate@minnichfuneral.com

Robert grew up in the village of Hauto in Carbon County Pennsylvania. He is one of three children to the late Robert and Joan (Cipko) Stianche Sr. He was a 1980 graduate of Panther Valley High School, Lansford, PA. Robert has been living in Elizabethville since 1988.

A U.S. Navy veteran, (1980-1984) Robert served aboard the submarine, USS Casmir Pulaski SSBN 633 and surface fleet ship, USS San Diego AFS 6. He was a member of the U.S. Navy East Coast Search and Rescue Unit. Robert attended Penn State University and East Stroudsburg University for general studies and Northampton Community College to attain his degree in Mortuary Sciences. In the past he has worked with various Easter Seals camps; MHMR organizations; and managed local Group Home settings.

He enjoys skiing, mountain biking, travel and the outdoors and is a member of the Friends of Weiser State Forrest helping to maintain local trails for equestrian, hike and bicycle use. He is a social member of the Halifax VFW post #5750, Berrysburg Fire Co and Dalmatia Fire Co.

Robert began employment with Hoover Funeral Homes in 1992. He graduated with an associate degree in funeral service education in 1996 and then completed the National Board of Funeral Directors Licensing exam. Robert completed his 1-year internship with Hoover Funeral Homes in 1997. During his internship he completed the requirements to participate in the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors licensing exam and became a licensed funeral director in Pennsylvania in September of 1997. From 1997 to May 1999, Robert served as a Licensed Funeral Director for Hoover Funeral Homes, Inc., from May 1999 to 2017 the supervisor at Elizabethville for Hoover-Boyer Funeral Homes, Inc. Robert continues as the Supervisor at the Elizabethville branch of Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home, Ltd, a Minnich Funeral location. Robert is married to Tori (Motter) Stianche.

Telephone: 1-717-362-8522

Email: rob@hbfuneralhomes.com

James L. Schwartz came to Minnich Funeral in 2020 and now serves as the supervisor of the Millersburg location. He is a longtime Pennsylvania licensed funeral director, having owned and operated his own firm prior to retirement. We are happy to have his expertise and experience join us here at Minnich Funeral. 

John R. Shultz was born July 9, 1956 to John M. and LeeAnn Schaffstall Shultz. He is a 1974 graduate of Upper Dauphin Area High School, a 1976 graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College, a 1977 graduate of The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and became a licensed funeral director January 1, 1979.

His introduction into the funeral business started when he was about 12 years old with washing the cars and mowing the lawn at the funeral home. Growing up in a small community where everyone knew each other instilled a sense of community pride and the need to serve the community just as his father and grandfather did.

John is a certified crematory operator by the National Funeral Directors Association. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association.

John, his family, and the funeral home have always been and will continue to be very supportive of the communities and area they serve. John is also a member of Liberty Hose Co. No. 2, Lykens and serves as Asst. Fire Chief and Secretary. He was an EMT for 30 years and served with the former L&W Ambulance Assoc. of which his grandfather was co-founder, additionally he ran with the Upper Dauphin County Emergency Services, where he served as past president. He was a coach and past president of the L&W Girls Softball Assoc. He is also a member of the Lykens United Methodist Church.

On January 1, 2021 John joined the team here at Minnich Funeral and merged his funeral operation into ours to ensure that Lykens and its surrounding communities would be served even after his retirement. Moving the operation of the funeral business to the Dayton (Williamstown) location offers to all the current Shultz families a larger facility, with ample parking, and wonderful comfort for viewings, funeral and memorial services, and so much more!

Telephone: 717-453-7103

Email: john@minnichfuneral.com

Gary joined Minnich Funeral in the fall of 2020 and is serving as the manager of all facilities and crematory operations. Gary is a Certified Crematory Operator having studied and completed the CANA program which continues to be the 'gold standard' in crematory operations programs and certifications. Gary manages both the human crematory in Millersburg and the pet crematory in Elizabethville. 

Along with assisting the directors with many aspects of funeral service, he shares some of his time with our partner company Smeltz's Mortuary Transportation, LLC and is skilled in transporting loved ones with the highest level of compassion and dignity. 

Gary is a graduate of Upper Dauphin Area High School, and has spent many years in the automotive industry prior to joining Minnich Funeral.  

We are excited to welcome our new office manager Jensen Barge to the Minnich Funeral family! More information will be updated shortly.

Mr. Bryant Caballero assists with the daily operations at all Minnich Funeral establishments. He often assists with the transport of loved ones back to the funeral home from the place of death, assists with funerals, and helps with the groundskeeping at Greenwood Cemetery. He coordinates the aftercare book, card, and email programs.

Bryant is an EMT and has worked with UPMC LifeTeam. He earned his bachelor's degree with honors from Dickinson College, Carlisle. Having recently completed a prestigious research program at Washington University in St. Louis, he is currently studying for the MCAT exam, and applying to Medical School. He is orginally from Dallas, TX and enjoys his time spent here in Pennsylvania.

Often seen providing military burial honors with the Diamond Jubilee Memorial VFW Pos 2385, Glen Welker has served as the hearse driver for Minnich Funeral for many years. Glen lives in Lykens, and over the years has enjoyed working with families at the funeral home, and assisting in the parking lot at funerals.

Nick Melara is the pre-need financial advisor for all Minnich Funeral locations, including Minnich Family Funeral Homes, Inc., Williamstown, Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home, Ltd., Millersburg & Elizabethville, and Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, Tower City. He is a licensed insurance agent appointed with Funeral Directors Life and American General LIfe.

He grew up in upstate New York where he graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2000 with Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, and from Le Moyne College in 2002 with a Master's Degree in Education.  In addition to working as an insurance agent since 2003, he has also worked as an 8th grade math teacher. 

Nick enjoys spending time with his 2 young children and is an avid Bowler and Baseball fan. 

Telephone: 717-647-9382

Email: nick@minnichfuneral.com

Dawson joined the Minnich Funeral team this year with the primary responsibility of maintaining the grounds at our Greenwood Cemetery. With the assistance of his mother Tara, and others he cares for the mowing maintenance at the cemetery. He handles the installation of markers and assists with other duties at the Williamstown funeral home as well. He is a junior in High School and enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.

The Rev. Jeffrey A. Wagner joined the Minnich Funeral team after retiring from full time ministry for 26 years at the Lykens Valley Charge, UCC (Peace UCC Berrysburg & St. Peter UCC Crossroads, Lykens). He is a long-time member of Men in Harmony, and resides in Loyalton with his wife Nancy.

Bradley S. Boyer, CFSP is a life long resident of Millersburg. He graduated from Millersburg High School, attended McNeese St. University, and graduated from Northampton Community College Mortuary Science Program.

He is a licensed insurance agent providing Forethought funeral funding.

Brad has earned his CFSP with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice awarded for his diligence in continuing education and community service. His professional memberships include the National Funeral Directors Association, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, Dauphin County Funeral Directors Association, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

He is a member of the Millersburg Lions Club, and First United Methodist Church, Millersburg.

Brad, now retired, resides in Arizona for much of the year with his wife Gay. They have two grown sons Brandon & Bennett both of Millersburg.