Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Please call us at anytime, we are available 24/7
David J. Gabauer
Owner, Funeral Director
David was born and raised in New Brighton. He was a 1987 graduate of Quigley Catholic High School and continued his education at Robert Morris University. He graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, and was the former owner of Gabauer Funeral Home, Inc. at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Inc. in Rochester, PA. David is also currently the Beaver County Coroner.
He married Lisa Lesinski in 1995. They currently reside in Chippewa Township
Lisa Lesinski-Gabauer
Owner, Funeral Director
Lisa graduated from New Brighton High School in 1983. After staying home to raise her two children she decided it was time to get back into the workforce. She obtained an Associate Degree in Business Management from CCBC and then continued on to the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. She graduated from there in January of 2014 and became a licensed funeral director in April of 2015. She then went on to become a Certified Crematory Operator and Licensed Insurance Agent
She and David reside in Chippewa Township.
Cory Sturm
Funeral Director, Certified Crematory Operator, Certified Celebrant
Cory Sturm is a Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Crematory Operator, as well as an InSight Certified Celebrant. Born and raised in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, Cory has nearly 10 years of experience in the funeral industry. He began his career at 14 years old with a successful funeral home in Oakland, Maryland before obtaining his education credentials from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Cory also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance with a dual minor in Economics and Accounting. He has a deep-rooted passion for caring for families that have experienced a loss. In his free time, you can find Cory on his boat at Deep Creek Lake, golfing, and spending time with his friends and family. Cory lost his father to cancer in May of 2021 and now fully understands what every family is going through in their time of need. Now happily residing in downtown Beaver, Cory married the love of his life, Katelyn (Bartus) Sturm on May 20, 2023.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Jim Todd
Funeral Director, Supervisor
Jim has been a resident of Beaver since 1948, is a 1964 graduate of Beaver Area High School, and later, Youngstown State University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. While in college he worked at J & L Steel in Aliquippa to help with college expenses. Jim started working with his father at Todd Funeral Home while in junior high ,helping on ambulance calls and other projects at the funeral home. He ran the funeral home from 1971 until 2023 when it became a part of the Gabauer Family Funeral Homes and is pleased he will be able to continue working for them serving families.
In 1988 he started the 5 year restoration of the Todd House Victorian Bed and Breakfast and has been running it since. He retired after 45 years from the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department. With his wife Linda, their blended family has 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys spending time on his boat in the summer, spending time with family and friends, antiquing, traveling to ride steam engines and puttering on various projects.
Stacy Ralph
Administrative Assistant
Stacy Ralph is the Administrative Assistant at Gabauer Funeral Homes. She unknowingly began her career in 2003 bringing years of experience and vast knowledge of the industry to her position.
Stacy was raised in Beaver County, is a graduate of New Brighton High School, and resides in Ohioville Borough.
Stacy has been with Gabauer Funeral Homes since 2017. Before joining the company, she worked within the funeral industry at cemeteries in both Florida and Pennsylvania in an administrative capacity and designing headstones. Stacy received her Pennsylvania Notary Republic commission in 2014.
In her free time, Stacy, or “The chicken tender” as she refers to herself, enjoys raising her small flock of chickens, gardening, and relaxing boat rides on the lake. During the winter months, her interests turn to snow tubing, cooking, and building puzzles. Stacy is actively involved with several animal rescue groups and volunteers at a farm animal rescue facility.
Stacy believes the best way to honor your loved one, is to be the things you loved most about them.
Stacy aspires to make every grieving family feel they are the only family being assisted, serving them with dignity, compassion, and paying attention to detail.
David Sedon
Certified Crematory Operator
David Sedon graduated from Clarion University of PA, earning a B.S. in Psychology. He retired after 20 years of public service with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He continues his public service serving the residents of Beaver County as a Deputy Coroner. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations at the funeral home, and is a Certified Crematory Operator.
He enjoys the outdoors, mentoring youth, volunteering in the community and spending time with his family. He resides in Patterson Township with his wife and children.
Jane Little
Funeral Assistant
Jane has been a resident of Ohioville, PA all her life. She graduated from Western Beaver High School in 1977. She retired after 29 years from Heritage Valley-Beaver. She is married, has one son and daughter-in-law and one granddaughter and one grandson. She enjoys working in her yard, and loves giving her time to help out family and friends when needed.
Alan Terlizzi
Funeral Assistant
Alan joined our staff in June of 2011 as a Coach Driver and Funeral Assistant. Originally from the South Hills of Pittsburgh, he graduated from Carrick High School in 1974 and attended Robert Morris College. He relocated to Beaver County in 1995 when he married his wife, Millie (Morelli) of Beaver Falls. He retired from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board in 2011. Alan and Millie now reside in the Patterson Township area.
Beryl Zalmanek
Funeral Assistant
Beryl A. Zalmanek lives in Chippewa Township with her husband, Jerry, of 52 years. She has 2 adult sons and a daughter-in-law; three grandsons and 1 granddaughter. She worked at D.B.S. Steel Corp for 39 years as the office manager. After retiring, she started to work at Gabauer Funeral Homes in 2017. She has been a member of Chippewa United Methodist Church since 1972. Her hobbies include knitting, needlepoint, baking, cooking, and helping others.
Gary Rombold, Sr.
Funeral Assistant
Gary graduated from Freedom High School in 1963. He has been a resident of New Brighton for 50 years. He retired from Bayer Corporation as an outside contractor for their IT department. A member of New Brighton United Methodist Church, his hobbies include ballroom dancing and golf. He has 2 sons, four grandsons, and one granddaughter.
Beverly Patterson-Gutierrez
Funeral Assistant
Beverly is a graduate of Beaver Falls High School class of 1967. She went on to graduate from Geneva College where she earned a BS Ed in 1971, and then Duquesne University in 1973 with a MSEd. She retired from East Liverpool School District after 30 years as an Elementary teacher. She then earned a MACounseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She worked for the Columbiana County Counseling Center in Lisbon, Ohio for 8 years as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. She also worked for Companion Care in Home Ltd, as a caregiver for shut-ins.
Beverly and her late husband, Frank were married for 20 years and resided in East Liverpool, Ohio. Beverly decided to return to Beaver County to be closer to her family when her husband passed away in 2019.
Kathy Starcher
Funeral Assistant
Kathy became a member of the Gabauer Funeral Homes “family” after the tragic loss of her only son, Sam, at the age of 22. Driven by the deep understanding of what it means to lose someone dear, she channeled her grief into helping others navigate the difficult journey of loss. As a result, not only does she work at the funeral home, but she is an author of 4 books and is also a local grief share leader. It is her personal mission to give love and empathy to everyone she meets.
Kathy is a wife of 44 years and a mother of 4 children.
Gracyn Gabauer
Secretarial Assistant
Devon Gabauer
Funeral Assistant
Nautica Goe
Funeral Intern
Nautica graduated from New Brighton High School in 2019. She went on to pursue her funeral director career at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating with an A.C.S. in Specialized Business; Funeral Service Management. In her free time she likes to play with her dog, Rocket, kayak, and spend time with family and friends. She joined the Gabauer “family” in May of 2024.
Katie Guerrieri
Funeral Intern
Katie Guerrieri is a lifelong resident of New Castle and is a 2020 Graduate of Mohawk High School. Katie continued her education at Thiel College and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science graduating in 2024. She received both her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and her Associate's Degree in Specialized Technology in funeral service arts and science.
In her free time, Katie enjoys listening to various podcasts and hand crocheting.
Katie is excited to begin her funeral service journey upon completion of her internship at Gabauer Funeral Homes!
Stella Rose
Greeter, 2018 - 2022
Stella Rose lost her battle with Lymphoma on 6/20/22. She was loved by many and she was the best companion anyone could have asked for. We are grateful she has been with us for the past 4 years, keeping smiles on grieving families faces in our funeral home.