We've learned a lot about caring for families over the years. We realize that we aren't just caring for a loved one, but the entire family.
People come to us during their most difficult times, and we respond with kindness, understanding and expertise. Our goal is to make everyone feel at home as we work with them to create a memorable service in honor of a beautiful life.
John Roemmelt
General Manager
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I've been in funeral service since 1989, working in New York City for several years. Born in Brooklyn, NY, I grew up in Montgomery, NY, two hours northwest of New York City. I graduated from Valley Central High School and managed Woolworth stores for 3 years.
In 1989, I moved to Middle Village, Queens, NY to start my career in funeral service. I attended the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in Manhattan and graduated in 1991. While attending school I worked in several funeral homes to start my training.
In 1997, my wife, Laura Anne and I relocated to central Florida. We have two beautiful daughters, Rachel Anne and Megan Riley. Laura Anne is the Director of the Wellness Department at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City and is very active in our community.
Our family attends St. Clare Catholic Church in Deltona and I attend daily Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Dora. I am also a Fourth Degree Knight, K of C.
I currently hold the position of General Manager of Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations in Tavares, Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors in Eustis and Lakeside Memory Gardens in Eustis.
Art Hilbish
Chapel Manager-Eustis Chapel
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I moved to Leesburg in 1958. My parents were in the bowling business and built Leesburg Bowling Lanes. In 1960 we moved to Eustis where they built Eustis Bowling Lanes.
I graduated from Eustis High School, as did my wife, Carol Gill Hilbish. I have an Associate of Science Degree from Miami Dade State College.
In 1964 I began working at, what was then, Zeller, Kennedy, and Hamlin Funeral Home. While in college I worked and lived at Gerhardt Funeral Home in Miami and at the funeral home here in Eustis when I was home. Since 1972 I have either owned or managed Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors. In 1975 Mr. Verdual W. Hamlin Jr, Carol and I built what is now Steverson, Hamlin and Hilbish Funerals and Cremations in Tavares. Carol has been the Office Manager here since 1978.
We have two wonderful daughters, Tracey Hilbish Lichtinger and Lory Hilbish Baxley, we are fortunate, they both live locally.
I am proud to have been on the founding board of what is now Cornerstone Hospice. I am a Past President of the Eustis Chamber of Commerce. I have received three “Service Above Self” awards from the Rotary Club of Eustis. Carol and I have received many forms of recognition for our work on behalf of Toys for Tots. I have served on many Citizens Advisory Committees and School Advisory Committees at Eustis Elementary School, Eustis Middle School, and Eustis High School.
We are members of the First Baptist Church of Umatilla.
Matthew Pierson
Chapel Manager-Tavares Chapel
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I was born in Greensburg, PA and moved to Orlando, FL at the age of 16. I graduated from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. After high school, I moved to Gainesville, FL where I attended the University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College.
In 1994, I moved to Nashville, TN to begin my career in funeral service. I worked for several different funeral homes while I was going to school to get my degree in Funeral Service. I graduated from John A. Gupton College in Nashville in 1996.
After graduating from college, I returned to Florida to start my career as a Funeral Director. I have worked for the same group of funeral homes here in Lake County since returning from college. While working full time as a funeral director, I went back to college taking night courses and received my B.A. degree in Organizational Management from Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, FL in 1998. I currently hold the position of Location manager at Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations in Tavares.
In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, camping, and spending time with my two dogs, Jameson and Zyda.
I also volunteer with the Special Olympics, playing as a partner on the Lake County Special Olympics softball team.
Kathy Wilson
Office Manager
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Kathy started working part time at Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors in May of 2015. She is now honored to be the office manager and to work with such a great team.
She is originally from Worthington, Ohio and lived in the central Ohio area until she moved to Florida in 1996. She has called central Florida home since then. She first lived in Orlando, then Silver Springs and now Tavares.
She lost her dear husband John in 2008 and is the mother of 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters. She has 14 grandchildren that are dispersed throughout Florida, Arkansas, Ohio and California that are the joy of her life.
David Kenneth Crane
Assistant Sales Manager
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Born and raised in Mobile, AL. Kenneth is married to Rebecca Crane. He was home-schooled from kindergarten through 12th grade. Kenneth graduated from Bishop State Community College with an Associate's Degree in Business Management and Supervision Technology.
Kenneth has been in the funeral Industry since 2016 and when asked why he is in the business Kenneth states "I have always enjoyed helping people. Whether it is helping them set up a new type of technology, or helping them set up their final arrangements, helping someone understand something that would usually be difficult and making it easier provides me great joy."
When asked what the best advice was, he had ever received Kenneth said "Every single person you come into contact with has their own story. They are meeting us during one of the worst times of their lives so it is our duty to help them out in any way we can to make this difficult time easier."
When Kenneth is not working his favorite things to do are: watching movies, playing games with my family, riding a bike, and spending time with his wife.