Our Staff
Jack Bauer
John W. ("Jack") Bauer
John W. ("Jack") Bauer, the owner and president of Bauer Family Funeral Homes, has been in funeral service for nearly 40 years. He established the Bauer Family generational tradition when he joined his father, Amby, in the family business in 1970.
A life long resident of Kittanning, Jack graduated from Kittanning Senior High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from West Virginia Wesleyan College and is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.
Jack has been extremely active in the community serving on the founding Board of Directors of the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival, as a member and past president of the Greater Kittanning Jaycees and as a long-time member of the Kittanning Rotary Club. He also served on the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and is a member of the Kittanning/East Brady Masonic Lodge #244. A dedicated supporter of the YMCA, Jack served on the Armstrong County YMCA Board of Directors for 20 years and is currently a trustee.
He also had the privilege of serving on the Selected Independent Funeral Homes Board of Directors and was elected president of that international organization in 1996. Jack continues his long association with that group of independently owned funeral homes along with memberships in the National Funeral Directors Association and Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association.
Jack and his wife, Sue, are both members and Elders of Grace Presbyterian Church in Kittanning.
They enjoy sailing, golf, gardening and spending time with their growing family.
Jennifer Bauer Eroh
Jennifer Bauer Eroh
As the daughter of Jack and Sue Bauer, Jennifer Bauer Eroh represents the third generation to continue the Bauer Family tradition of funeral service. She is a licensed funeral director who graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1998 with a diploma in Funeral Service. Jennifer is also a graduate of Kittanning High School and a 1997 graduate of Westminster College from which she holds a degree in Public Relations. Jennifer is an active member of the Selected Independent Funeral Directors organization and is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association along with the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association.
Jennifer and her husband Jason reside in the Worthington area with their daughter, Natalie.
Deana R. Turner
Deana R. Turner
Deana Turner is the newest addition to the Bauer Family Funeral Home staff. A native of the area, she is a graduate of Karns City High School and Carlow University where she earned a degree in Communication and Finance Management. Deana continued her education at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, receiving an Associate’s degree in Funeral Service Arts and Sciences. She resides in Chicora with her husband, John, and their two daughters, Sydney and Peyton.
Deana’s professional memberships include the National Funeral Directors Association, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and the Butler County Funeral Directors Association. She is very active in the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department, currently serving as President of their Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoys spending time with her family and boating on the Allegheny River.
Joshua C. Starr
Joshua C. Starr
A native of the Kittanning area, Josh joined the staff at Bauer Family Funeral Homes after having worked part-time in funeral service since the age of fifteen. He is currently registered with the state of Pennsylvania as a Funeral Trainee and plans to serve his internship with Bauer Family Funeral Homes when his formal education is complete in 2009.
A 2006 graduate of Kittanning Senior High School, Josh currently resides in Natrona Heights with the intention of returning to the Kittanning area in the near future. He is pursuing his Funeral Director’s License through the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in conjunction with Point Park University where he will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Specialized Professional Studies of Funeral Service.
As a student member, Josh actively participates in the activities of both the National Funeral Directors Association and the American Society of Embalmers. In his free time Josh enjoys activities with his family and friends, vacationing and attending theatrical productions. Although winter is his favorite season, Josh also enjoys outdoor gatherings, tennis, and boating during the summer months.
Tammy Carson
Tammy Carson
Tammy Carson joined the Bauer Funeral Home in May 2007 as office manager. She is a graduate of Freeport High School and then attended Bradford School of Pittsburgh where she received a diploma in secretarial/medical terminology. After working in an office environment for 17 years, she decided to continue her education at Newport Business Institute, graduating in 2007, with an Associate in Specialized Business Degree with her major in Accounting. She resides in Cadogan with her husband, Doug, and two sons, Brandon and Tyler.
She is actively involved with her children’s sports events and enjoys vacationing at the beach with her family.
Sandra Mikita
Sandra Mikita
Sandra Mikita became a licensed life insurance agent in 1990 and joined our funeral home team in 1991 under Community Management, Inc. (an affiliate of Bauer Funeral Homes, Inc.). She continues to serve our clients as a life insurance agent and provides support services associated with coordinating the pre-arrangement department and working directly with our Funeral Directors. She is the recipient of numerous national awards from the Monumental Life Insurance Company, Bauer Funeral Homes' pre-need provider. In 1996 and again in 2002, Sandra's outstanding performance earned her recognition when she was honored with the prestigious Robert G. Gutherie Award acknowledging her exceptional talent, integrity and high level of personal responsibility. In addition to her other duties, Sandra offers continuing care to the families that Bauer Family Funeral Homes serves. She is an experienced and knowledgeable designer of cemetery memorial monuments and capably represents Custom Design Monuments, an affiliate of the Bauer Funeral Homes, Inc. Sandra also enjoys participating in the many special projects that are offered by our funeral homes. She is the original developer and editor the annual Bauer Family Funeral Homes' Newsletter. Sandra makes group presentations and coordinates Bauer Family Funeral Homes' participation in the Senior Expo and the Adopt-a-Highway Project.
Ralph Funkhouser
Ralph Funkhouser
Ralph has been maintaining the grounds, buildings and vehicles for Bauer Family Funeral Homes since 1993. He also sets grave vaults for our families and assists the funeral directors during funeral services. Ralph can always be counted on to go the extra mile to make sure every detail is taken care of for the families we serve. When not at work, Ralph enjoys hunting and fishing with his son and friends.
Ralph is a resident of East Franklin Township where he lives with his wife and son.
