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Ha-Yi Aileen Chan

Jul 18, 2026

Ha-Yi Aileen Chan, age 68, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026.Born in Hong Kong to King Chu Lam and the late Chuck Hing Chan, Aileen was the beloved wife of John Chin; loving mother of Nathan Chin; and dear sister of Tony Chan and his wife, Li Hong Liu; Eddie Chan and his wife,…

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Robert J. Huntley

Jul 18, 2026

Robert J. "Bob" Huntley 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, holding the hand of his beloved wife, Anita, with whom he had shared 33 beautiful years. Those who knew Bob knew he lived a life defined by faith, service, and deep love for his family.Bob was born July 2, 1936, in a farmhouse…

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Sister Mary Alice Slowey, SND

Jul 20, 2026

Being born on the Feast of the Annunciation, Alice always had a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother. She and her brother, children of Alan and Minnie (Dieckow) Slowey, grew up in the family home with a vacant lot behind their large backyard. The trees and green grass provided space to run, play and hold…

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Rina Skender

Jul 27, 2026

Rina Skender (Grzincic), aged 87 of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, passed away on July 27, 2026.Born on December 24, 1938, under Italian occupation in Klana, Croatia, Rina and her family survived World War Two through two town-wide evacuations to nearby Italy under threat of bombing, only to return and survive house-to-house fighting resulting in the liberation…

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Christine Taylor

Jul 25, 2026

CHRISTINE M. TAYLOR (nee Rakoczy) age 58, beloved wife for 31 years of Richard; loving mother of Hannah (Eeshan Sistla) and Brian; cherished daughter of the late John and Carol (nee Neroni) Rakoczy; dearest sister of Michelle Park (husband Scot) and John Rakoczy (wife Jennifer); treasured daughter-in-law of Jeanette (nee Moore) and Melvin Taylor Jr.…

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Christina Alicia Berardinelli

Jul 24, 2026

CHRISTINA ALICIA BERARDINELLI, age 62, beloved daughter of the late Robert A. and Ursula J. (neé Kohls) Berardinelli; loving sister of Raf R. (Roxanne) Berardinelli, and the late Pamela (Trevor) Garrud; dearest aunt to Rina Berardinelli; and dear friend of many.Christina was born on November 29, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her nursing degree…

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Diane Trykowski

Jul 27, 2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of DIANE TRYKOWSKI (née Urban) on July 27, 2026, at the age of 66. She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years Ty; children Tiffiny (Alexander Chen) and Melissa; grandson Evan; and her siblings John, Stephanie Vierra (John), and George (Susan). She was…

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Jacqueline J. Hanks

Jul 23, 2026

JACQUELINE J. HANKS (nee Omersa) age 90, beloved wife of the late Dellum; loving mother of Nancy Agh (husband Frank), Shari Merriman and Robin VanBurik; devoted grandmother of Rachel and Michael Merriman and Theresa and Kathryn VanBurik; cherished daughter of the late Jack and Jennie (nee Zupancic) Omersa; dearest sister of the late James Omersa…

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Lane "Skip" Craver

Jul 20, 2026

LANE "SKIP" CRAVER age 81, beloved husband for 25 years of the late Mary Ann (née Schwindl); loving father of Stephen (Donna), Edward (Traci), Steven "Paul" Schmitt (Missy), and Michael (Amanda); devoted grandfather of eleven and great-grandfather of ten; cherished son of the late Lloyd and Mary (née Brown); dearest brother of Kenneth (Ann), Ella…

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Sister Maryann Humenik, SND

Jul 19, 2026

Joseph and Anna (Litecky) Humenik married in Czechoslovakia after the First World War. With thoughts of a brighter future, they emigrated to America and eventually settled on Cleveland's near West Side close to the Slovak parish of St. Wendelin. Philomene was born on July 29, 1929, in Cleveland, the fifth of nine children. Philomene described…

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Cremation offers flexibility without limiting how you choose to remember and celebrate a life. Families may hold a full funeral service before cremation, a memorial service afterward, or choose a simpler gathering. Whether traditional or contemporary, cremation allows for the same meaningful opportunities for tribute, personalization, and remembrance as any other form of disposition

Cremation

Decomposition of the body in the earth (after burial) is the slow oxidation of the body tissues.

Cremation, on the other hand, provides rapid oxidation.

No casket is legally required for cremation, just a simple container, which is strong enough to hold the body. This could be a box of rough boards, pressboard, or heavy cardboard.

Some crematories accept metal caskets; most require the container to be combustible.

 

Cremation Choices

If the body is cremated:

The remains can be stored by the family You may take the remains in the simple cardboard box supplied by the crematory and distribute (“scatter”) them over the land or water. The remains can be placed in a niche within a columbarium. The remains can be buried in the ground in a regular plot or in a smaller cremation plot. The remains can be entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum.

 

Why people choose cremation

In the United States, in 1972, only five percent chose cremation. That number had quintupled by 1999, with over 25% choosing cremation.

The Cremation Association of North America predicts that by 2010, that figure will rise to 36%.

In Canada, the rate is already over 42%; in Great Britain, 71%; and over 98% in Japan.

Those who choose cremation (for themselves or others) often hold the belief that it is better to honor the memory of the person, not the dead body.

 

Here are some other reasons you might choose cremation:

Cremation is traditional in your family, religious group, or geographical area You prefer the body to be returned quickly and cleanly to the elements. Many people believe that a cremated body becomes one with nature more quickly. You have environmental concerns, Perhaps you are worried about the use of valuable land for cemetery space, or believe it is wrong to fill the ground with materials that won’t erode … metal coffins and concrete vaults. You want to keep the costs down

Selecting cremation does not mean, however, that you will have an inexpensive funeral.

You might still choose an expensive casket and/or a viewing, and/or decide to have the cremated remains buried in the ground or placed in a columbarium. These choices can bring your costs up to those of a traditional funeral.

 

Decisions You Must Make If You Choose Cremation

Who will do the cremation (a funeral home or a firm that specializes in direct cremation)Whether to use an urn or container What to do with the remains If you are distributing the remains: Some jurisdictions have laws prohibiting the scattering of remains; others require a permit. Ask your funeral director.

Also ask if there are any firms in your area that specialize in unique ways of distributing the remains, such as a plane to spread them over a mountain, or a ship to scatter them at sea.

Think of places that were especially loved by the deceased, close to home or far away. You can walk in the woods, by a favorite lake, or on the old family farm.

Be sure to ask permission if you want to use private property.

What about using the remains to create new life, by planting a tree? Some survivors choose to mix the remains with the soil in flowerbeds and rose gardens at home. Every time the roses bloom, you will be reminded of your loved one.

If you decide to do this, however, consider what will happen if, some day, you move away.

Burial

This page, and the one on cremation, may be especially difficult for you, yet deciding between burial and cremation is one of the first choices you must make. It’s your decision!

Disposition is the term used by the funeral industry to describe the final handling of the deceased’s remains.

Although your initial decision for the disposition of the body is between burial and cremation, there are several variations on each.

Whichever choice you make, the body will eventually return to its natural elements.

 

Burial Choices

If the body is buried…

It can be interred (earth burial).It can be entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum (above-ground burial).It can be buried at sea.

 

Why people choose burial

Although the trend is moving toward cremation, the majority of North Americans still choose to bury their dead and to be buried themselves. Here are some reasons you might choose burial.

1. Burial is traditional within your family, religious group, or geographical area

For instance, in the United States today, about 79 percent choose burial. In Canada, the rate is about 64 percent.

2. You do not like the idea of the body being “burned”

You prefer to have the body slowly return to the elements.

3. You want to erect a monument on the grave

Perhaps you want to visit the grave in the days to come, and you find a graveyard more appealing than say, a columbarium.

 

Decisions You Must Make If You Choose Burial

Whether or not the body is to be embalmedWhich kind of casket (or coffin) will house the bodyWhether to buy a casket, rent one, or build your ownWhether or not the cemetery requires a vault or grave linerWhich cemetery to useWhat kind of plotWhat to put on the gravestone

Len Mikolajczak

1928-2016

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Melissa DeJohn-Capretta

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As the Community Liaison and Funeral Assistant of DeJohn Funeral Homes & Crematory, Melissa DeJohn Capretta is developing relationships and strengthening community partnerships for the family business. She is also gaining new experience as a funeral director apprentice while helping people during their time of need.

Her passion to be present for people enables her to give others the sense of comfort they are seeking and allows them to trust in her expertise in planning during an overwhelming and emotional time.

Melissa primarily serves families at our Funeral Home in Chardon, but she can be found at any one of our locations assisting families in planning the best way to honor the memory of their loved ones.

A graduate of Mayfield High School, Melissa attended Northern Arizona University to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Ceramics and Science Education to teach art for K-12. As an art teacher, she thrived on being able to teach kids new art techniques and how to express themselves through art during the school day.

Melissa currently resides in Chardon with her husband, Rick, and their two children Charlie and Olive.

Wendy Fiebig

Pre-Need Advisor ~ Pet Services Specialist

wfiebig@dejohncares.com
440-278-7113
330-842-7076

Wendy was born in Southern California and was raised in Kent Ohio. Wendy entered into the role of Pre-Need Specialist with a host of knowledge and understanding of insurance through various life and health insurance classes. She joined the DeJohn family in 2021 and has been passionate about helping people understand the importance of planning. Having lost her husband in 2018, Wendy has a special appreciation for pre-need and hopes to help people before they are placed in a tough situation like planning the funeral of their loved one.

Her family comes first, so when she has downtime, she usually starts with a cup of coffee before jumping into a day with her boys Cooper and Knox. She also loves supporting community initiatives around Willoughby where she lives and traveling, reading and working on her yard.

Denise Brennan

Pre-Need Advisor

dbrennan@dejohncares.com
440-278-7108
440-221-0786

Every day Denise Brennan comes to work with a smile on her face knowing she is going to have another great day helping families to prearrange their funeral. Since 2002, she has enjoyed helping families to choose DeJohn Funeral Homes and providing prearrangement advice and counsel to families as a Preneed Specialist.

“Prearrangement is a wonderful service. People are so grateful when we help them create a plan and create solutions – not problems – for their next of kin. Many times families are surprised that its not a difficult process to make the prearrangement,” said Denise.

She also follows up with families after the death of a loved one to ensure everything was taken care of during the funeral and assist with any follow up requests from death certificate copies to assisting with acknowledgement notes. When not out visiting families at their homes to make arrangements, Denise is most often found at the DeJohn Funeral Home in Willoughby Hills.

While Denise considers herself a work person, she also enjoys being outdoors in her garden or talking a walk through the Cuyahoga Metroparks near her home in Richmond Heights. As an avid walker, she especially likes walking through her neighborhood when she cannot get to a park or visiting her daughter nearby.

Joseph Zevnik

Joseph Zevnik

1959-2016

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Ross C. DeJohn Sr.

Ross C. DeJohn Sr

1928-2016

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James A. Mullally

Licensed Funeral Director

A graduate of Cleveland State University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Jim’s career in funeral service dates from 1954. He is a second generation Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, a Licensed Pre-Arrangement Specialist, and is a member of the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations, as well as the Embalmers Association of Cleveland. He and his wife Kerry are proud parents of twin boys

Bob DeJohn

Licensed Funeral Director

Bob is a past graduate of Bowling Green State University and member of the Sigma Chi  Fraternity. A Licensed Funeral Director since 1988, he is also a Licensed Life Insurance Agent and Pre-Arrangement Specialist. He is a member of the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations, as well as the Embalmers  Association of Cleveland. He is currently a City Council Member for Mayfield Heights.  He has served on the Board of the Hillcrest YMCA, and devotes his time to many public service and fraternal organizations such as Mayfield High School and Sigma Chi Alumni Associations. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Gilmour Council 310. Additionally, he volunteers his time at the Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum. He is a  parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church and also serves as an usher and  parishioner of St. Clare Church. Bob is married to the former Lori Boslett, who  is a Registered Nurse at Hillcrest Hospital. The couple has two children.

Constance Scheanon

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer ~ Certified Celebrant ~ Certified Crematory Operator

As a new funeral director at DeJohn Funeral Homes, Constance Scheanon brings a wonderful new personality to the families served as she helps them on their journey through loss.

A first generation Funeral Director/Embalmer and Certified Life Celebrant, at the end of the day Constance finds a sincere “Thank You” makes it all worth it to serve families during a very difficult time.

Her interest in funeral homes and death care began as a junior in high school, when she participated in a mentorship program where she shadowed a funeral director for a few weeks. She continued her education to earn a Bachelor’s of Mortuary Science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science then returned home to Ashtabula to serve her apprenticeship.

As a Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer and Certified Life Celebrant, Constance helps families, by providing meaningful services to those wanting to tell the story of their loved one. From the moment she meets a family, she commits to taking care of them and their loved one who has passed.

She said, “I do not leave that family at the funeral home. I take that family home with me and continuously think about them. I listen to each families unique wants and needs and try to figure out the best way to serve them.”

Always willing to spend extra time doing a dry run of the route for a funeral procession or thinking of a family’s specific needs, Constance wants to serve each family as best as she can.

She said, “Being a Celebrant is one of my favorite parts of my job. By the end of the service, I feel as if I had known the loved one and their family for years.”

Constance added, “All relationships are about successes and failures that mold you into the greatest version of you. I have already seen growth in myself as a person and funeral director, and I thank DeJohn’s and the group of people “DeJohn family” for that.”

Originally from Ashtabula, Constance has enjoyed exploring the parks and restaurants around Chardon, adding that being closer to Cleveland has “already exposed me to so much more culture in my community.” She especially enjoys hiking with friends and seeking out beach glass as it is calming to her. She is also looking forward to supporting more local businesses and organizations in her new community.

William White

William White

Licensed Funeral Director

Bill White greets families at DeJohn Funeral Homes with care and understanding ; knowing there are many choices that need to be made after a loved one has died. He knows this comes with a roller coaster of emotions that family may experience as well.

Since childhood, Bill has had an interest in funeral care.

“I attended my aunts’ funeral in first grade and was fascinated by the whole funeral process. I knew thats what I wanted to do and I’ve had an interest in death care ever since,” said Bill. His passion helps families begin to heal through their grief process.

A native Clevelander, Bill has devoted his life to funeral care and manages the DeJohn Funeral Homes South Euclid Chapel. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Borromeo College of Ohio, attended John Carroll University and is a graduate of St. Joseph High School. He is a member of the Gesu 50+ Club and the East Side Irish American Club.

“I enjoy seeing how religion is integrated into the funeral. What I enjoy best is being able to help families through the process so see their departed to their final resting place,” he added.

He is also a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving with the Criminal Investigation Unit (C.I.D.) at the Presidio of San Francisco in California.

Patricia DeJohn

Bereavement and Aftercare Specialist

We believe it is especially important to assist families in dealing with their grief. As a grief and bereavement educator, Patty is an important part of that process. As a grief therapist she has taught courses on death and dying at Ursuline College and has facilitated grief support groups since 1989.

She graduated with a degree in Psychology from Ursuline College and received her Masters Degree in  Clinical Counseling from John Carroll University.  She was in private practice for 15 years with Dr. Thomas Frazier, Ph.D. and currently she sees clients at the Chesterland and Willoughby Hills facilities where she serves as a Wellness Life Coach.  She is also a Reiki Master and has given treatments for the past 18 years.

In addition to her Bereavement work at the funeral home, Patty shares her expertise with the community where she has given workshops and lectures for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Hospice of the Western Reserve and many local churches and community organizations. Patty is a member of the Association for Death Education & Counseling.

Ross DeJohn III

President and COO ~ Licensed Funeral Director

ross3@dejohncares.com
440-278-7100
216-310-0181

Joining his father, grandfather, and the rest of the DeJohn family, Ross represents the third generation of the DeJohn family and sixth generation of family values and heritage in the firm. After graduating from the University of Dayton where he was President of the Student Government and an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he received his Funeral Director license in 2000 and today progressively leads our firm into the decades ahead.

Ross III became deeply involved in the community serving as board member and Past Vice-President of the Mayfield Area Chamber of Commerce, long-time board member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Hillcrest, and as Scholarship Chair of the Mayfield Alumni Association serving on the Board of Directors. He is also a parishioner of St. Noel Church in Willoughby Hills. Committed to his profession, Ross is an invited member of several national study groups and the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations as well as the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association.

He is the proud father of three daughters and resides in Kirtland.

Ross C. DeJohn, Jr

Chairman & CEO ~ Licensed Funeral Director

Ross DeJohn Jr. joined  his father in the family business in 1977.  Ross understood from the very beginning the importance of his family’s tradition. He understands the heritage of his family and profession as well as the changing needs of the community he serves.

After graduating from Bowling Green State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he became a Licensed Funeral Director in 1986. He is a member of the Cuyahoga, Ohio, and National Funeral Directors Associations. He served in the U.S. Army in 1972 as a 2nd Lieutenant, and was an Army Reserve Captain from 1974 to 1980. He is also Past President of the Mayfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ross completed  the Hospice of the Western Reserve Volunteer Training Program which enables him to volunteer at Hillcrest Hospital and other facilities with our Staff therapy dogs Magic and Coco.  Ross Jr. is a parishioner at St. Noel Church in Willoughby Hills, Ohio and has been married to his wife Patty since 1971. They have three children and five grandchildren. Ross and Patty reside in Kirtland, Ohio.