Our Staff

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.

Ron Schollaert


Funeral Assistant


Ron was a graduate of Beaver Falls High School and then went on to graduate from Duquesne University with a degree in Human Resources. He used that degree to become the Manager of Human Resources at Babcock and Wilcox for over 40 years, retiring in 1994. Ron has been a faithful employee of the funeral homes since 1997, where his duties include driving the hearse and limousine and sometimes working visitations.

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.

Gracyn Gabauer


Secretarial Assistant

Devon Gabauer


Funeral Assistant

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.

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