Christopher A. Brown

Owner/ Director/Embalmer

Originally from Minerva Chris grew up around funeral service, his father Rodney, worked forArnold Funeral Home in Canton and Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva.  He is a graduate of Minerva High School, received his BS in Biology and Music from Ohio Northern University and then his Associate’s in Mortuary Science from The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He began his career in funeral service in 1998 working for Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home in Alliance working there for 9 years.  After starting their family Chris and his wife decided to purchase the former Ickes Funeral Home in Salem with his business partner David Peterson in 2005 they renamed the home Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service. In 2012 they had the opportunity to further serve the Salem, Sebring and their surrounding communities by purchasing Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral home in Sebring.  

Chris and his family attend Salem First United Methodist Church where he serves as Music Director, he is a member of Bayard Grange, Columbiana County Pomona Grange, Ohio State Grange and a 7th degree member of The National Grange, he served as Ohio Grange Ambassador, and he and his wife were also selected the Ohio Young Couple of the year.  Chris also is a member of Conrad Masonic Lodge, a 32 degree Scottish Rite Valley of Canton member,  Tadmor Shrine, the Alliance Shrine Club, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, The Ohio Embalmers Association,  National Funeral Directors Association, member of both the Alliance and Salem Chamber’s of Commerce, he also served as Chairman, President, Treasurer and Board Member of the Alliance Carnation City Festival.  Chris and his wife Christine have two children Morgan and Mason.

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David R. Peterson

Owner/ Certified Celebrant

David grew up in the small town of Beloit, Ohio and is a graduate of West Branch High School he also attended Malone College. David married Linda (Kerr) Peterson and they have two daughters Teresa and Beth along with three grandchildren Tyler, Ryliegh and Madison. David owned and operated David's Floral for 23 years as well as being involved in many community organizations;  the Salem Community Theatre Board, Alliance Symphony Board, Carnation Festival Board serving both as President and Chairman and served Alliance United Way Retail Chairman. After selling his flower business David was asked by Peter and Jean Johnson to manage the Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton for 15 years. David currently is a member of Damascus Ruritans, Homeworth Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Valley of Canton, Sebring Business Association, Sebring Christmas Festival Founder and Garden Club, a past member of Salem Regional Hospital Foundation Board. He attends Salem First United Methodist Church and is part of the Choir and was a member of Damascus Friends Church. Not being able to leave his passion for flowers, David and his business partner Dick Biery have been our in house florist since 2005 creating flower arrangements for families to help make the families time just a little bit easier. David works hard to carry on the rich tradition from both funeral homes continually striving for excellence in service. To continue to provide the care families come to expect from us David has become a Certified Celebrant so he can serve families and provide services for those who may not have a pastor or loved one to do a service. 

Christine Brown

Funeral Director/Certified Preplanning Consultant

Christine was born in England and moved to northeast Ohio.  She attended Columbiana Village Schools and graduated from West Liberty-Salem High School in West Liberty, Ohio.  Christine graduated with a BS in Environmental Studies from Ohio Northern University and obtained her teacher certification from University of Mount Union.  She teaches Environmental and Physical Science at Alliance High School.

She has been involved in funeral service since 1999 and after serving her apprenticeship became licensed in 2014.  She is a certified preneed consultant and a member of the NFDA and OFDA.  

Christine is a firefighter I /EMT with Berlin Township Fire Department, a member of Bayard Grange #1878, Pomona Grange #62 and attends Salem First United Methodist Church.   She is a past chairman of the Carnation Festival Grand Parade.  Chris and Christine are the proud parents of Morgan Grace and William “Mason” .

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Samuel D. Barnhouse

Licensed Funeral Director/Certified Crematory Operator

Sam joined our team in 2013 and currently runs our Advanced Planning and Aftercare program. Sam is a 2012 graduate of Western Reserve High School; he attended Kent State University and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science graduating in January 2015 with an associate’s degree in Specialized Business he then attended Point Park University to obtain his bachelor’s degree to serve his Funeral Director/Embalmer Apprenticeship and now is a Licensed Funeral Director. 

Sam is an active member of the Mahoning County 4-H program where he served as an advisor on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board, the Mahoning County Poultry Committee and is the Advisor of the Mahoning County Barnstormers 4-H Club; as a 4H member he participated for 14 years showing livestock and was involved in many fair activities. Sam serves as a member on Mahoning County 4-H Endowment and part of the 4-H Camp Whitewood program. He is a member of the Berlin Township Fire Department as a Firefighter and EMR. Sam is also involved in UCT (United Commercial Travelers); The National Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association and a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association.

Sam is also very active in the community being a founding member of Wreaths for Veterans, Emily Waseman Foundation, Sebring Christmas Festival, Sebring Friends of the Park and is an active member of The Sebring Business Association.

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Michael McGuire

Advanced Planning Advisor

Mike is a licensed Advance Planning Advisor and assists families with making prearranged funeral and cremation plans. Mike is compassionate, professional, and knowledgeable regarding all aspects of working with families to create meaningful tributes of a life well lived, based on each one’s individual requests and wishes.

Mike grew up in Northeast Ohio and has continued living here his entire life. He has 4 children and 3 grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys being a basketball referee and a baseball umpire. Mike looks forward to meeting you and assisting you and your family.

To request information online visit:

https://www.mytributeplanner.com/mmcguire/

Robert Burgess

Support Staff

Bobby joined our team in 1996 as a Support Staff member. Bobby is a great asset to the funeral home where he helps to take care of our Facebook page and the beautiful landscaping at both of our funeral home locations as well as other general duties.

Bobby graduated from Sebring High School in 1989 and resides in Sebring. After graduation he attended Kent State University. He is an active member in the UCT (United Commercial Travelers), Homeworth Free and Accepted Masons 499 where he serves as Worshipful Master, Youngstown Shrine Club and is an Al Koran Shrine Temple. He is a member of Sebring Church of the Nazarene and serves as a member go the Church Board.

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Rodney D. Brown

Support Staff

Rodney isn’t a stranger to funeral service he has been involved in it for the majority of his life.  He was first employed by Arnold Funeral Home in Canton and attended Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, eventually he returned to his hometown of Minerva and worked as a staff member and Paramedic for Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home.  While his family was attending school he became more focused on the Ambulance aspect and soon began working for Alliance Ambulance and City Coach Company.  After his son graduated from mortuary school Rodney found himself back in the funeral industry working alongside him at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian.  We are happy to have his experience with us today.  Rodney belongs to Bayard Grange, Columbiana County Pomona Grange, The Ohio State Grange and the National Grange, he and his wife Linda recently retired as the County Deputies for Columbiana County after over 20 years.  Rodney and Linda reside in Malvern.

Linda Peterson

Licensed Family Counselor

Linda Lorraine Peterson lives in Damascus, OH, and is married to David Peterson and together they have two daughters Teresa and Beth. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Kent State University, Salem in 2011. Linda received her Masters at Malone University in 2014 in Education with an emphasis on Clinical Counseling. Practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Linda’s areas of competence and specialty include social and personal counseling, mental health counseling, chemical dependency, addictions counseling and the diagnosing and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. She is employed by CommQuest where she works with individual adult 18+ counseling for mental health, drug and alcohol issues and grief.  Linda is also on the staff of the United Methodist Church in Salem as a musician. She enjoys family and friends and believes that with God all things are possible. 

Stephen West

Support Staff

Welleed El-mobasher

Support Staff