Staff
Our Staff makes a difference.
Into our hands, you place the utmost trust and confidence by allowing us the privilege to serve you. Our funeral directors and support staff provide the absolute best services your family deserves. When a loved one dies, you have enough to deal with. Let us take care of everything else...that is why we are here.
At Curran Funeral Homes, we consider it an honor and privilege to provide our families with world-class service. Our purpose, as funeral service professionals, is to make certain that your loved one's funeral is a personalized celebration of life, to pledge our attention to details, and to provide an appropriate service at a reasonable price.
Art is a graduate of Kiski Area High School and continued his education at Penn State University, New Kensington, Pa. He graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1977 and has been working in the funeral profession since 1972. Art was born and raised in Vandergrift and currently resides in Washington Township with his wife Janice (Love). Their son, James, currently resides in Vandergrift, with his wife, Krissy (Christmas) Kunkle, and their children, Paige and Leah.
James A. Kunkle, is a Kiski Valley native and he has been a licensed funeral director since 2001. James is a 1995 graduate of the Kiski School, a 1999 graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and a 2000 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Before James became a funeral director he got his start in the funeral industry mowing lawns, washing cars, and working visitations for the Curran Funeral Homes.
James came back to his native home of Apollo in 2007, after working as a funeral director with Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. in Reading, PA. He is a member of St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Vandergrift where he volunteers as a lector and is a member of the Church Men's Club. He is also a member of the Vandergrift Lions Club and is active contributor to Valley Points YMCA where he assists with various fund raisers. James resides in the Brady-Curran Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Vandergrift with his wife Kristina L. Kunkle and two daughters Paige and Leah.
Norman joined the funeral home in October of 2010 and is the Supervisor of the Curran Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Leechburg. He has been a licensed funeral director since 2001, and has worked in the industry since 1999.
Norman was born and raised on the North Side of Pittsburgh. He is a 1990 graduate of North Catholic High School, 1994 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in English Writing, and 2000 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.
Norman is also a 2008 graduate of the Insight Institute and a Certified Celebrant, providing families who are not members of a Church or aren't religious the opportunity to celebrate their life of their loved one. The Celebration Of Life Tribute Service has quickly become a popular offering in the Kiski Valley and Saltsburg areas.
Norman is a member of the Leechburg Rotary Club, and 2014 recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship for community service. He is a member of Christ the King Church in Gilpin Township, where he serves as a Lector, Greeter, and Eucharistic Minister.
Norman enjoys going to restaurants and traveling with his wife Marianna, and serving the communities of Kiski Valley and Saltsburg.
Matt joined the Curran Funeral Home family in 2019. He attended Carrick High School, and the Pittsburgh Culinary Institute, and is now in his internship after obtaining an Associate's Degree in funeral service management at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He is a member of St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Vandergrift, and enjoys fishing, and spending time with his family. After spending 30 years in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, he recently relocated to Vandergrift with his wife, Alexandra (Allman), and son, Jackson.
Dana joined the Curran Funeral Home staff in January of 2022. She is a 1996 graduate of Apollo-Ridge High Scool, 2000 graduate of Westminster Collge, and in 2004, obtained her Master's Degree in in Human Resources.
Dana is the daughter of Charlene Toth, and the late William Toth. She and her husband Matt live with their daughter Hailey. Dana also had four step-children with Matt- Natalie, Nick, Nina, and Nate.
She enjoys reading, and loves serving the families in the area.
Phylicia Keilman, is originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Phylicia has been a licensed Funeral Director since 2011 and working in the funeral industry since 2006. She holds a life insurance and annuities license for Pennsylvania. Phylicia graduated from Westmont Hilltop High School in 2005 and was a 2010 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. She enjoys spending her free time with her daughter, Presley and family, trips to Pittsburgh, concerts, camping, fishing, bowling, Mexican food, and Penguins hockey games. As a Pre-Planning Specialist, Phylicia is able to educate families on all the options available and give them peace of mind.
Abigail E. Major is an Armstrong County native and a 2003 graduate of Ford City High School. She joined the Curran Funeral Home family in 2017.
After a tour of duty in the United States Army, and years abroad, Abby returned to Ford City. She graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2016 and continued her education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, where she completed a BS in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service in 2018.
Abby lives in Leechburg with her daughter Eliza, and is a member of the Pennsylvania State House Of Representatives, serving the 60th District. She is the supervisor of the Curran Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Saltsburg.
Chester joined our funeral home in 2012, providing loving comfort to all of our families.
He primarily serves our Apollo funeral home.
Chester likes treats (especially baby carrots) and enjoys sitting on the laps of the staff of the funeral home.
He also enjoys traveling the world trying various cuisines (he wishes!!)
Chester went into semi-retirement in 2020, but still comes into the funeral home from time to time.
Due to Chester's recent contact demands, we have to post a story featured into the Tribune Review about this amazing dog:
A graduate of Leechburg Area High School and Edinboro State College, Martha has been associated with the Curran Funeral Homes since 1989. The daughter of the late Louis and Martha (Antoniono) Meidus, Sr., she was raised in West Leechburg, and has always been a resident of the Leechburg area. She is a member of Christ the King Parish, and has two sons, Beneditto and Antonio.
Doug joined the Curran Funeral Home in 2021. He is a 1982 graduated of Edinboro University, majoring in criminal justice. Doug is currently an Administrator for the Court of Common Pleas Beaver County, working in the Juvenile Services Division. A resident of New Kensington, Doug lives with his wife of 30 years, Kathy, and has three sons, Jordan, Dylan, and Zach.
Will Almes joined our family of funeral homes in 2012, and is a resident of Saltsburg. He proudly served our country with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and worked as a foreman for Allegheny Ludlum in West Lechburg for 29 years, retiring in 1998. Will was a past member and vice president of the Saltsburg V.F.D. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and traveling with his wife Char.
Dave is a lifelong resident of the Kiski Valley. He is a graduate of Kiski Area High School and Allegheny College. Dave has worked for over 30 years in the financial services field.
Dave resides in Allegheny Township with his wife Janice (Adams). They have one daughter, Alexandra. He is a member of St. Gertrude Church in Vandergrift.
Homer Mizenko has been the head of maintenance for the Curran Funeral Homes since 1996 taking care of all four locations as well as the vehicles, and funeral home grounds. Homer lives in Saltsburg with his wife of 18 years, Donna. He has five children and five grandchildren. Homer enjoys hunting, fishing, playing cards and riding his motorcycle.