Our Helpful Staff
Trevor Behm
President
Trevor Behm
President
Trevor Behm, President of Behm Family Funeral Homes, is a fourth-generation funeral director and is involved in all daily operations. A 1995 graduate of Geneva High School, he received his bachelor’s degree in business from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea and studied at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Trevor is a member of Immaculate Conception Church and feels it is a privilege to serve his community with compassion.
John Merk
Licensed Funeral Director, Celebrant, Monument Specialist
John Merk
Licensed Funeral Director, Celebrant, Monument Specialist
John graduated from Willoughby South High School in 1988 and continued his education at John Carroll University where he majored in English and British Literature with a minor in Art History. He graduated from John Carroll in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
John started a small contracting business in 1999 that provided quality service to families in Northeast Ohio. It was after his father’s death in 2010 that John was called to serve at a higher spiritual level, and in 2012, began a career, vocation, as a funeral director. He is currently president of Ohio Funeral Directors Association District 19, and a Master Director, Celebrant, and Memorial Specialist at Behm Family Funeral Home.
A musician and song writer, John began studying piano when he was 4 years old. This study led to a love of all music, and provided a foundation to grow into voice training and performance. He also plays the French Horn, Guitar, and Organ. John is a liturgical musician and organist at St. Cyprian Parish in Perry since 2007.
John married his love, Yih-ting, whom he met through his parish priest. Yih-ting has a Masters in Applied Social Science from Case Western Reserve, and before coming to America, she had been a special education teacher and would often volunteer her time at home and abroad. She has devoted her life to helping others. John and Yih-ting are thankful for 2 beautiful children and dear family both near and far.
The Merk family is happy and blessed to be with Behm Funeral Home, and looks forward to serving the community for years to come….
Katy Dreier
Licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Specialist
Katy Dreier
Licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Specialist
Katy is a 1999 Jefferson High School graduate. She attended Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science where she graduated with honors. She received her bachelor’s degree from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. She is a licensed funeral director, embalmer and advanced funeral planning consultant. She and her son, Liam live in the Village of Jefferson and where she serves on the Jefferson Village Council.
Richard P. Dakters
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Richard P. Dakters
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Richard Dakters is a Funeral Director and Embalmer with 30 years of experience. He is originally from Elyria, Ohio and graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and an Associate Degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1988. He and his wife Tracie have been married for over 30 years and are blessed with 3 daughters and 2 grandsons. Richard is an accomplished musician and lends his talents to the worship team at Crossroads Community Church in Madison.
Marissa Miller
Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Celebrant
Marissa Miller
Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Celebrant
A 2016 graduate of Geneva High School, Marissa went on to graduate from Kent State University in 2021 with a Bachelors in Communication, and a Minor in Professional Writing. She then furthered her education at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Currently living in Geneva, Marissa is very passionate about writing, and hopes to publish her novels one day. She loves rainy days, and spending time with her other half, Jerry. Marissa is thriving in her career as a Licensed Funeral Director, and is very grateful that she gets to help and care for families each day.
Danelle Miller
Hospitality Manager
Danelle Miller
Hospitality Manager
Danelle has been with the Behm Family Funeral Home since 2011 and considers it a true honor to serve families who have lost a loved one. Serving from the heart, she helps families with organizing a luncheon, a video memory, special items and staying close at hand. She encourages families to call afterwards at any time with any concerns beyond the service.
Danelle considers working alongside her granddaughter, Marissa Miller who is a funeral director a great joy. A graduate of Mentor High & ESI Career Center, she and her husband Rick have resided in Madison since 1973. They are grateful for their family consisting of a son and daughter; their spouses; 7 grandchildren and a goldendoodle. Their many activities include, the Madison Food Center, visiting with family and friends serving in many capacities at Central Congregational Church since 1976.
Julie Hunt
Accounting, Bookkeeping
Julie Hunt
Accounting, Bookkeeping
Julie Hunt, does the accounting and bookkeeping for the Behm Family Funeral Home. Julie graduated from Geneva High School in 1991. She is married to Brad Hunt. They have two children and are lifelong active residents in the Geneva community. The Hunt family are members of Assumption Church in Geneva.
Pamela Ahlman
Insurance Specialist
Pamela Ahlman
Insurance Specialist
Pamela Ahlman, Insurance Specialist, has been with Behm’s since she moved from Erie, PA in 2013. She attended Gannon and Mercyhurst Universities, as well as Northwest Regional Technology Institute. Pam manages the Passare database, life insurance, death certificates, preneed files and final date cuts. She resides in Austinburg, OH with her husband Richard, on his family Homestead. They enjoy 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Pam is the Acting Secretary/Treasurer of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association, Dist. 19 in OH and is a member of the Ashtabula Area Club of Zonta International.
Kristen Marineau
Director of Communications
Kristen Marineau
Director of Communications
Kristen, born and raised in Harpersfield, is a graduate of Geneva High school and Lakeland Community College. Kristen resides in Madison with her husband Patrick. Together they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. A Lover of local history, I look forward to supporting the community that we call home. They are members of Chapel United Methodist Church and are active with the Madison Food Center.
Heidi Williams
Office Manager
Heidi Williams
Office Manager
Heidi grew up in Harpersfield-Geneva and is a 1991 graduate of Geneva High School. Heidi and her husband, Jeremy, have raised their seven children in Geneva where they are active in their community and are also members of the Peoples Church of Geneva, where she serves on the worship team and helps lead children’s ministries. Heidi and her husband volunteer with the Geneva Youth Wrestling Club and many other sports and groups involving the kids. She loves Geneva and truly feels blessed to care for families that they serve at the funeral home.
Pat Anastaisa
Certified Crematory Operator
Pat Anastaisa
Certified Crematory Operator
Pat moved to the Geneva area in 1991. Pat and his wife, Ginger, who is a life-long Harpersfield/Geneva resident have raised 5 children and are very active within Geneva and the surrounding communities. Pat has numerous rolls within the Behm Family Funeral Homes operations that keep him busy. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the Madison and Geneva areas during their most difficult moments in life, it is truly an honor.
Julie Ann Whipple
Receptionist
Julie Ann Whipple
Receptionist
Julie Ann Whipple, Madison Receptionist, was born and raised in Madison and a graduate of Madison High School. She recently moved back to her hometown and is happy to be back in northeast Ohio with her husband Mike and three dachshunds and two cats. She loves to buy fabric and make quilts, planting flowers and spending time with family and friends. She is a member of Chapel United Methodist Church and is proud to be a part of the Behm Team.
Steve Doland
Funeral Assistant
Steve Doland
Funeral Assistant
Steve Doland is a lifelong resident of Madison. He started working at the funeral home in 2010. He is a 1971 graduate of Madison High School. He married Paula in 1973 and enjoys working alongside her at the funeral home. They have two children, Melissa and Brett. They have also been blessed with six grandchildren. They are members of St. Anne's Anglican Church, serving in many capacities. They consider their work at Behm Family Funeral Homes as a ministry, not a job. Steve enjoys fishing on Lake Erie, golfing and spending time with his wife Paula.
Paula Doland
Funeral Assistant
Paula Doland
Funeral Assistant
Paula grew up in Madison and graduated from Madison High School in 1967. She married her husband Steve in 1973. They have two children, Melissa and Brett. They have also been blessed with six grandchildren. They are members of St. Anne's Anglican Church, serving in many capacities. Paula joined Behm Funeral Home in 2009. She considers her work at Behm Family Funeral Homes not a job, but a ministry.
Jack Sargent
Funeral Assistant
Jack Sargent
Funeral Assistant
Jack has been with Behm since 2004 and is a native of Geneva-on-the-Lake. He is a graduate of Geneva High School, Kent State University, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Jack married his former high school classmate, Sara Jane, in 1986, and they live in Jack’s boyhood home at Geneva-on-the-Lake. Their family of four children and multiple grandchildren live in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Dublin, Ohio.
In his spare time, Jack enjoys outdoor activities, reading, volunteering and running 5K races with the Ashtabula Distance Runners Club. He and Sara Jane frequently travel to see this beautiful country and to visit their kids and grandkids.
Marilyn M. Merk
Funeral Assistant
Marilyn M. Merk
Funeral Assistant
Marilyn was born in Painesville, Ohio and life-long resident of Lake County. A 1963 graduate of Wickliffe High School, she was a business owner of a hair salon for 45 years in Wickliffe. Currently she resides in Perry and is a member of St. Cyprian Church where she’s blessed to join her son with his music ministry. Marilyn’s wonderful family includes her daughter, son, his wife, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. She is delighted to be part of the Behm Team with the opportunity to help provide assistance, comfort and consolation to our families. She also enjoys working with her son, John who is a funeral director at the funeral home.
Michael Whipple
Funeral Assistant
Michael Whipple
Funeral Assistant
Michael Whipple is part of the Support Staff, working calling Hours and funerals for Behm Family Funeral Home. Mike is a lifelong resident of Madison. He previously taught school in Thompson and Geneva before going to law school. Mike practiced law in Madison for 30 years before retiring. He enjoys golf, Civil War Skirmishing, sailing and camping. Mike is a member of Chapel United Methodist Church and is proud to be a part of the Behm Team.
Marnie Fails
Funeral Assistant, Grief Walk Coordinator
Marnie Fails
Funeral Assistant, Grief Walk Coordinator
Marnie Fails has lived in Madison for most of her life. She is married to Bob and they share three children, two sons-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. Marnie and Bob are members of Tri County Bible Church. She is a graduate of Hiram College with a BA in Social Sciences. Her career was in insurance and she worked for Strassman Insurance Services for thirty-two years. When she retired, she knew she knew she wasn’t finished. She had been thinking about working at Behm’s, and felt that was where God wanted her to be. Helping families is what she loves the most. She feels it is a great honor to be part of the Behm team.
Roy Johnson
Funeral Assistant
Roy Johnson
Funeral Assistant
Roy Johnson graduated in 1974 from Georgetown College with a degree in accounting and retiring from the accounting profession in 2014. He relocated to Madison in 1988 with his wife and children. Roy spent 15 years in Tallahassee Florida returning to Madison in 2020. It is an honor and privilege to be associated with Behm Team serving the community in the most difficult times of their lives.
Amy Rockhill
Funeral Assistant
Amy Rockhill
Funeral Assistant
Amy is a life-long resident of Geneva and a graduate of Geneva High School, Lakeland Community College, and Kent State University. She is a member of Assumption Church and serves on the parish finance council. She has two daughters and two granddaughters. Amy recently retired from Kent State University Ashtabula and looks forward to joining the Behm team as a funeral assistant.
Diane L. Acerra-Trawatha
Funeral Assistant
Diane L. Acerra-Trawatha
Funeral Assistant
Diane L. Acerra-Trawatha has been a funeral assistant since 2021. Born and raised in Geneva, Diane loves both her Madison and Geneva communities. Being a banker for numerous years, she has created a close, caring relationship with many people. She feels grateful to serve her community through her work with Behms.
Sam Britton
Funeral Assistant
Sam Britton
Funeral Assistant
Sam Britton joined our staff in 2018 as a funeral assistant. He resides in Madison Village with his wife, Sue, and is currently the Mayor of Madison Village. He enjoys working with the public and loves his role as funeral assistant at the funeral home.