Staff Directory

Understanding of what the funeral should accomplish and dedication to the principle that everything possible will be done to help is our goal. Our funeral homes take pride in offering you personal attention and distinctive service. You can count on us to be a source of caring and comfort during a difficult time. 

Please read on to meet our dedicated staff, learn about our history, and find information about our seven locations.

Joseph O. Lane 1924-2002	Joseph O. Lane, who was born Dec. 3, 1924, was best known as the president and fourth-generation owner of Lane Funeral Homes,Inc. Under this role, he received many awards, including Ohio Funeral Directors Association 50-year Service Award in 2002 and the Pursuit of Excellence Award from the National Funeral Directors Association in 1981. The son of Joseph B. and Hallie Cline Lane, he was also the president of Lane LifeTrans Paramedic Ambulance and the Lane Monument Company. He served on the board of directors of the Farmers National Bank of Canfield for 34 years. Lane was a 1942 graduate of Mineral Ridge High School, where he was salutatorian of his class. He received his bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster in 1949 and his mortuary science degree from the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science in 1950, where he was class president. During high school and college, he was a three-sport letterman playing basketball, football and baseball. He also served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, playing basketball for the 102th Infantry Division team and was named All-League Member of the 406th Infantry football team. Over the years, he consistently sponsored sports teams of all ages for football, baseball, softball, track and bowling. He was the Ohio Kiwanis District singles bowling champion in 1968 and 1972. He was inducted into the Mahoning Valley Bowling Hall of Fame in 1988. Lane was also inducted into the Austintown Girl's Softball Hall of Fame and Mahoning Valley Bowling Sponsor's Hall of Fame. In 2002, he received the Curbstone Coach's Lifetime Achievement Award. Lane was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge for 63 years, where he served as Deacon and was a Life Elder, Austintown Growth Foundation, Austintown Historical Society, the Austintown Township Hall of Fame in 1983, the Niles Historical Society, the Aut Mori Grotto, St. Johns Commandery No. 020 Knights Templar, the Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Youngstown Shrine Club, St. David's Society of Youngstown, the Independent Order of Oddfellows, the Knights of Pythias, American Legion, Canfield Harness Horse Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association and was a life member of the VFW Post No. 4192 in Mineral Ridge. Lane served as past president of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association, and he organized and was the first president of the Mineral Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a 32nd degree Mason. He was a highly decorated WWII U.S. Army combat veteran receiving a battlefield commission at age 19 in Aptweiler, Germany. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Cluster while serving with Company K of the 406th Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division. He was discharged as a first lieutenant in 1946. He was a member of the National Order of Battlefield Commissions and received a diploma award from the French authorities relating to the liberation of France during WWII. Lane was past Lt. Gov. and president of the Austintown Kiwanis Club, where he also served as Ohio district chairman. In 1997, he received the George F. Hixon Award as an outstanding Kiwanian. He was the International Interclub Chairman for 50 years and was honored by the city of Orillia, Ontario, Canada for his dedication to continued interaction between the Kiwanis Club of Austintown and the Kiwanis Club of Orillia. In 2000, he made a gift to Weathersfield Township Schools to launch the construction of the Joe Lane Sports Complex, a 2,500 seat stadium and field, which was dedicated in 2001. Lane served as toastmaster at many functions throughout the Mahoning Valley. He died Saturday, June 22, 2002, at his residence from congestive heart failure following a fivemonth illness. Lane's devotion to family and friends and his commitment to the community will be greatly missed.  www.Josepholanefoundation.com
Joseph D. Lane President & CEO	A 1970 Graduate of Mineral Ridge High School, Mr. Lane graduated from Adrian College in 1974 receiving a degree in business administration, with a second major in philosophy & religion. He then attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1975 and returning to Ohio to work with the family businesses. Following graduation from college and mortuary school he became a licensed Emergency Medical Technician instructor for the State of Ohio, Dept of vocational education and later a paramedic and advanced cardiac life support instructor. He developed the original Lane Ambulance service into the current Lane Life TRANS paramedic ambulance. He received a Juris Doctor Degree from Akron University in 1984, and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in the same year as a practicing attorney. In 1994 he established Lane & Rusu Co., a Legal Professional Association with law offices in Canfield, Austintown and Mineral Ridge. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, The Ohio State Bar Association, Probate and Trust Law Section, American Bar Association and the Mahoning and Trumbull County Bar Associations and is also a member of the Pro Seniors Hotline Referral Attorney Panel which aids older Ohioans with legal concerns. A frequent speaker and lecturer on aging and elder law issues, he has co-authored a book entitled, Smart Planning for Life and Death. In 1984 he was one of the original founders of Tracktime Performance Driving Schools where he helped to develop safety and performance driving schools at race track facilities around the country. During his involvement with Tracktime he helped to develop the high speed driving course for Ohio police officers and worked with major auto companies in various capacities for promotion and research. Having sold his interest in Tracktime in 1990, he continues to be involved in sports car road racing activities , at facilities such as Mid-Ohio, Nelsons Ledges, Watkins Glen ,Charlotte Motor Speedway and most recently, Beaverun Motorsports Complex in nearby Beaver, PA.. Besides being president and CEO of the Lane Funeral Homes, Inc., he is on the Board of directors of Farmers National Bank of Canfield and also serves on the board of the non-profit organizations -H.E.R.S., (Humanitarian Education and Relief Services, Inc.) and the Joseph O. Lane Foundation. He is a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Friends of the National Park of Gettysburg, Pa. and enjoys spending time pursuing his interest in Civil War history through travel, research, and collecting Civil War art and memorabilia. He lives in Canfield Township with his wife, Andrea, and has four sons. Whenever he has the opportunity, he enjoys trail riding with his wife on their Tennessee Walking Horses. Other than trail riding, one of Joe's favorite past times is being active with The 6th Ohio Cavalry, which is one of the premier mounted living history units in the country. Portraying mounted Civil War Cavalry, the unit is made up of members not only from Ohio, West Virginia and Canada, but other surrounding states. Activities involve school demonstrations, parades, and living history events at such places as the Gettysburg Military Park and the West Point Military Academy. Many members have also appeared in various movie and TV productions portraying the Civil War Cavalry. It is the hope of the members to provide the onlookers with a glimpse into the past, to give them a view of the cavalry soldier in the mid-1800’s, his way of life, and appearance as a soldier thereby bringing history alive.  He is also involved with The Northern Ohio Outlaws, a cowboy mounted shooting club, affiliated with the national organization known as the CMSA (Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association). Most competitions for the Northern Ohio Outlaws are held at the Ruggles Arena at the Wooster, Ohio, fairgrounds, but members also attend other “shoots” at various locations throughout the state and even around the country. Essentially, the competition involves a single competitor riding with two blank .45 single action pistols. The rider crosses a timer and shoots the first five balloons in a specific pattern, reholsters his or her pistol, draws the second pistol and shoots the last five balloons in the appropriate manner for that pattern and then crosses the final timer. Speed and accuracy are all part of scoring. Participants must dress the part of the “cowboy” and use “pistols” which were the type of pistols used by cowboys following the Civil War up until the turn of the century. There are also mounted “rifle” classes and mounted “shotgun” classes, as well as a specific cavalry class where the participants must dress as historic cavalry and use certain types of saddles and holsters consistent with the time era portrayed. Once again, all weapons fire blanks and it is simply the “hot embers” coming from the firing of the blanks that break the balloons. Cowboy action shooting is one of the fastest growing equine sports in the country.
Bob Burkhart Vice-President	Bob is a 1965 graduate of Jackson Milton High School and attended the Youngstown College from 1965 to 1967 before graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1968. He was licensed as a funeral director in 1969 and has worked at the Funeral Home since 1964. Bob was born and raised on the Isaly Dairy Farm in North Jackson and has lived in Mineral Ridge since 1973. He married the former Carol Hatfield in 1973 and has three children: Tod, Tiffany Philbin and Tami Burkhart as well as two grandchildren: Paityn and Jacob.
Walter G. Sinn Executive Vice-President	Walter (Wally) Sinn; Graduate of Western Reserve High School in Berlin Center in 1967, attended Youngstown State University major in Advertising and a minor in Merchandising, graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1970. I served my apprenticeship at Lane Funeral Home receiving my Embalmers and Funeral Directors license in 1972. Currently Vice President of Lane Funeral Homes, also manager of Lane Monument division. Wally has been with the firm since 1965. Wally lives in Green Twp. with his wife Carol. They have three grown children Pamela Vizinni, Rebecca Ucker, Stephen and four grandchildren. Wally is a member of the Ellsworth Presbyterian Church where he is an Elder; Charter member and Past President of Western Mahoning County Kiwanis, Past Lt. Governor Division 21 Ohio District of Kiwanis, enjoys playing softball, bowling and spending time with his family.
Rick G. Clark  Funeral Director	Rick is an area graduate of Howland High School and attended Kent State University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Rick enjoys running, scuba and bagpipes. He has two sons, Kyle and Rick, with his wife Suzanne Sotak Clark. He is active as a chairman of the Howland Township Trustees and is deacon at Howland Community Church. He is also on the board of directors at Children's Rehabilitation Center, a member of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce and the BPO Elks 295.
Barry G. Lamer Funeral Director	Lamer is a 1973 graduate of Howland High School and attended Youngstown State University, as well as the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Sciences. He is active as secretary of the Champion Kiwanis Club, a member of the Cortland Kiwanis Club, a member of Carroll F. Clapp Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Valley of Youngstown and Ali Baba Shrine in Cleveland. He is also chairman of several projects within the Champion Kiwanis Club. Lamer is also an avid Red Cross blood donor. Lamer is married to Amy Miller and has three sons - Matthew, Adam and Aaron with whom he enjoys cycling and vintage automobiles.
Mary Kirila Funeral Director	Mary joined the Lane Funeral Homes family in January of 2004 as an advanced planning advisor.  She has been a licensed Funeral Director since 1984 and has been a licensed insurance agent since 1987. She is a lifelong area resident and graduated from Youngstown State University. A former member of St. Nicholas Church and currently a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Mary is also a member of the Warren Ski Club. As well as snow skiing, Mary enjoys scuba diving and traveling. She has been a team leader with the March of Dimes and has walked for many years in various American Cancer Society Relay for Life events.
Anthony Nacarato Funeral Director	Anthony has been involved in the funeral industry since 1988 and has been with Lanes since April of 2003. He was a 1986 graduate of Ursuline High School and a 1997 graduate of Youngstown State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Management and a minor in psychology among other minors. Anthony received his degree in Specialized Technology / Embalming and Funeral Directing from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1998. Anthony was born and raised in the Youngstown area. He and his wife Josie live in Boardman with their son Joseph. They have been married since April of 2000. They are members of St. Dominic Church in Youngstown. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Pacentrani Club in Youngstown.
Steve Gerberry Funeral Director	Steve is a 1995 graduate of the Mineral Ridge High School, graduating as class Valedictorian. He then received his AAS from Youngstown State University before attending the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, where he received his BMS. He has been with Lane Funeral Home since 1996, and had been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2000. Steve is also a licensed life and health insurance agent. Steve lives in Mineral Ridge, with his wife the former Stacie Donchatz; daughters: Megan and Madeline; and Labrador Sadie.  Steve is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mineral Ridge, and serves on the Board of Trustees in Weathersfield Township. He is a member of the Tri County Funeral Director’s Assoc., Ohio Funeral Director’s Assoc., National Funeral Director’s Assoc., Trumbull Township Assoc., and Ohio Township Assoc.
Dave Knarr Operations Director	Dave is a 1987 graduate of Canfield High School and graduated in 1991 from Walsh College (now Walsh University) in North Canton Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both General Business and Communication Arts. He has been with the firm since 1997 and has been a licensed funeral director since 1999. Besides funeral director responsibilities, Dave oversees day to day operations of all seven funeral chapels and is the General Agent in charge of the Lane Agency for Advanced Funeral Arrangements, Dave is also the Information Systems Director for the funeral home, Lane Lifetrans, and the Lane and Rusu Law Offices. Dave lives in Canfield Township along with his wife Jennifer and sons Ryan and Cory. He is a member of the Zoning Board of appeals for Canfield Township. An acticve blood donor for the Red Cross, he also helps the Canfield Community Care Net as well as being a member of the American Motorcycle Association and the National Rifle Association. Dave and his family attend Greenford Christian Church. As one of the few remaining "CR-500 Pilots", he enjoys motorcycling off road, racing of all types, almost any "ridiculous-use-of-horsepower" and anything outdoors.
Hillary Madeline Funeral Director	Born and raised in Warren, OH, Hillary graduated with honors from LaBrae High School in 1997. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Thiel College located in Greenville, PA in 2001. While at Thiel, Hillary was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and was Co-editor of the college's yearbook the Endymion. She then attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science where she was elected to serve as secretary for her class. She graduated from PIMS in September of 2001.  She is a member of the Warren Rotary Club, the Howland Township Board of Zoning Appeals, and has served on committees and volunteers her time for charitable events to benefit the Children’s Rehabilitation Center of Warren. She began working at the funeral home in 1998 while still in college. She served her apprenticeship at the funeral home in 2001, began her career as a licensed director and embalmer in 2003 and was promoted to Managing director of the funeral home in 2010.  Hillary and her husband, Brian, reside in Howland Township with their Great Dane, “Schmooka” and cat, “Azreal”. She enjoys music and the arts, especially dance, attending concerts, cooking, traveling to visit out of town friends, and spending time with her family.
Justin Kaszowski Funeral Director	A native of Warren, Ohio Justin was raised by his grandparents and graduated in 2000 from Howland High School. He attended Kent State University Trumbull Campus and transferred to Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science in March of 2004. Justin was a recipient of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association Scholarship and the Eagle of the Cross Award from the Diocese of Youngstown. Justin joined Lane Funeral Homes in June of 2002 prior in leaving for mortuary school. He returned from mortuary school and served his apprenticeship under Walter G. Sinn and became licensed in the State of Ohio as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in September of 2005 and is the youngest funeral director/embalmer within the Lane Funeral Homes. Justin's main role within the Lane Family of Funeral Homes is as an embalmer and funeral director at the Austintown Chapel. Justin is a member of St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Warren, where he is currently serving on the Pastoral Council, is Eucharistic Minister, leader of the rosary and is co-chairman of the Worship and Liturgical Committee of the Church. Justin is also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church also in Warren. Justin is also a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, where he serves on the Scholastic, Young Funeral Director, Education/Apprentice, and OFDA Mortuary Reponse Team Committees, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Embalmers Association, American Embalmers Association, and is currently working towards becoming a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. He is also a member of the Western Mahoning County Kiwanis Club, Youngstown Model Railroad Association, and the Thursday Night Sportsmen's Bowling League. Justin enjoys traveling, volunteering within the community, golfing, bowling, model railroading, and spending time with his family and friends. He resides in Warren, Howland Township with his grandmother Mary Ann.
Rob Dillon Funeral Director	Bio coming soon...
Brian Bellus Funeral Director	Brian is a 2003 graduate of Lakeview High School in Cortland. Brian started in the funeral business as a part time employee at Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel while attending Youngstown State University in 2003. In 2005, Brian transferred to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he recieved his bachelors degree in December of 2006. He become a licensed funeral director and embalmer in early 2008.  Brian currently resides in Howland Township where he is a part time firefighter and EMT with the Howland Fire Department. He is a member of St. Roberts Catholic Church in Cortland. In his free time, Brian enjoys boating. jetskiing, camping, and projects around the house.
John Vigliotti Funeral Director	John is a 1995 graduate of Boardman High School. He then attended Youngstown State University before attending the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science from which he graduated with a bachelor of mortuary science degree in 2007. He has been with the funeral home since February of 2003 and holds licenses as a funeral director and embalmer.  John was born and raised in Youngstown where he currently resides. He has a daughter, Luciana Mia Vigliotti. He is a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Youngstown where he serves as a lector and minister of Holy communion. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his daughter and family, golfing, listening to his favorite singer Frank Sinatra, and he’s an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.