About Us
Our Valued 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.
William G. Harris
President, Supervisor, Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Crematory Operator
William G. "Bill" Harris, the President and owner of Harris Funeral Homes, personally offers families over 50 years of experience and professionalism in the field of funeral management and planning. Receiving his Funeral Director License in 1972, Mr. Harris founded Harris Funeral Home in 1980 at 921 Scalp Ave.
In addition to the Scalp Avenue location, Harris also purchased the John A. Baker Funeral Chapel in East Conemaugh, Pennsylvania in 1986, now known as Baker Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services. Mr. Harris makes sure that the families served at this location receives the same level of attention and benefits that is offered at the main office in Richland. The present day location of Harris Funeral Home is located at 500 Cherry Lane, which was acquired by Mr. Harris in 1993. Since dedicating his life-service to helping families in need, words such as "commitment, dedication, and compassionate care" have become synonymous with the Harris name.
He proudly served for 10 years on the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors where he held the position of Chairman.
William G. Harris
President, Supervisor, Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Crematory Operator
William G. "Bill" Harris, the President and owner of Harris Funeral Homes, personally offers families over 50 years of experience and professionalism in the field of funeral management and planning. Receiving his Funeral Director License in 1972, Mr. Harris founded Harris Funeral Home in 1980 at 921 Scalp Ave.
In addition to the Scalp Avenue location, Harris also purchased the John A. Baker Funeral Chapel in East Conemaugh, Pennsylvania in 1986, now known as Baker Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services. Mr. Harris makes sure that the families served at this location receives the same level of attention and benefits that is offered at the main office in Richland. The present day location of Harris Funeral Home is located at 500 Cherry Lane, which was acquired by Mr. Harris in 1993. Since dedicating his life-service to helping families in need, words such as "commitment, dedication, and compassionate care" have become synonymous with the Harris name.
He proudly served for 10 years on the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors where he held the position of Chairman.
Deborah A. Harris
Corporate Secretary / Treasurer
Debbie Harris takes part in decisions of the business and is responsible for accounts payable, payroll, banking, mail, etc. and provides invaluable service for the smooth operation of service to our community. She is a past board member and former volunteer at the Cambria County Humane Society and spent 20 years of leadership working the flea market for the annual St. Benedict Parish Reunion. As a pet lover she has been instrumental in acquiring a separate and dedicated pet crematory on the funeral home property.
Deborah A. Harris
Corporate Secretary / Treasurer
Debbie Harris takes part in decisions of the business and is responsible for accounts payable, payroll, banking, mail, etc. and provides invaluable service for the smooth operation of service to our community. She is a past board member and former volunteer at the Cambria County Humane Society and spent 20 years of leadership working the flea market for the annual St. Benedict Parish Reunion. As a pet lover she has been instrumental in acquiring a separate and dedicated pet crematory on the funeral home property.
Daniel Kovacs
Supervisor, Licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Consultant
Daniel Kovacs, Funeral Director at Harris Funeral Home has been involved with serving families in need since 1989. A graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Daniel joined the Harris Family in 1999. Daniel possess the ability to work with families of different ethnicities and cultures, and speaks Hungarian and Spanish fluently
Daniel Kovacs
Supervisor, Licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Consultant
Daniel Kovacs, Funeral Director at Harris Funeral Home has been involved with serving families in need since 1989. A graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Daniel joined the Harris Family in 1999. Daniel possess the ability to work with families of different ethnicities and cultures, and speaks Hungarian and Spanish fluently
Victoria L. Bense
Licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Consultant
Victoria is a native of Windber and currently resides there with her husband and daughter. She is a graduate of Windber Area High School, the University of Pittsburgh Main. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Non-Fiction writing for Magazine and Newspaper. Her working career started after college as an obituary writer at the Tribune-Democrat. She also worked as a store manager and employee trainer for Blockbuster Video. In 1996, she enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in Pittsburgh and graduated as a Funeral Director/Embalmer on September 5,1997. Victoria completed a one-year internship as a funeral director at the former Meek Funeral Home in Windber and was employed there for several years after. She also worked at Hauger-Zeigler Funeral Home in Somerset for over 10 years before she came to the Harris Funeral Home in May of 2018. Victoria is the owner of her family business, Leone’s Market in Windber, where she is the fourth generation of her family to operate it. She is a member of St. Anthony of Padua where she is a lector and serves on the finance committee. She is also a member of the Eureka Coal Heritage Foundation, Northern Regional Fire Department and WAVE (Windber’s grass roots Main Street program). Victoria enjoys working closely with the families of loved ones to create the final tribute they want achieve.
Victoria L. Bense
Licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Consultant
Victoria is a native of Windber and currently resides there with her husband and daughter. She is a graduate of Windber Area High School, the University of Pittsburgh Main. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Non-Fiction writing for Magazine and Newspaper. Her working career started after college as an obituary writer at the Tribune-Democrat. She also worked as a store manager and employee trainer for Blockbuster Video. In 1996, she enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in Pittsburgh and graduated as a Funeral Director/Embalmer on September 5,1997. Victoria completed a one-year internship as a funeral director at the former Meek Funeral Home in Windber and was employed there for several years after. She also worked at Hauger-Zeigler Funeral Home in Somerset for over 10 years before she came to the Harris Funeral Home in May of 2018. Victoria is the owner of her family business, Leone’s Market in Windber, where she is the fourth generation of her family to operate it. She is a member of St. Anthony of Padua where she is a lector and serves on the finance committee. She is also a member of the Eureka Coal Heritage Foundation, Northern Regional Fire Department and WAVE (Windber’s grass roots Main Street program). Victoria enjoys working closely with the families of loved ones to create the final tribute they want achieve.
Michael Shuman
Licensed Funeral Director
Mike grew up in the West End of Johnstown and is a former member of Christ the Savior Cathedral Greek Orthodox Church. He is a 1997 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School. After graduation, he continued his studies at Penn Highlands Community College in Richland. He is a 2013 graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science He is a licensed Pennsylvania Funeral Director having passed both the Pennsylvania State Boards and the National Boards. Mike worked at Moskal-Reid Funeral Home for 16 years. He is now part of the staff at the Harris Funeral Home location on Cherry Lane in Richland where he is one of our certified crematory operators at the Laurel Highlands Crematory at Harris Funeral Home. Mike has very skilled in assisting families during their time of need. He is very compassionate and his vibrant personality and people skills make him a valued part of our staff. Mike resides in Daisytown with his wife, Melissa and their children, Skye and Andrew. He is a member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church and the West End Lions Club.
Michael Shuman
Licensed Funeral Director
Mike grew up in the West End of Johnstown and is a former member of Christ the Savior Cathedral Greek Orthodox Church. He is a 1997 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School. After graduation, he continued his studies at Penn Highlands Community College in Richland. He is a 2013 graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science He is a licensed Pennsylvania Funeral Director having passed both the Pennsylvania State Boards and the National Boards. Mike worked at Moskal-Reid Funeral Home for 16 years. He is now part of the staff at the Harris Funeral Home location on Cherry Lane in Richland where he is one of our certified crematory operators at the Laurel Highlands Crematory at Harris Funeral Home. Mike has very skilled in assisting families during their time of need. He is very compassionate and his vibrant personality and people skills make him a valued part of our staff. Mike resides in Daisytown with his wife, Melissa and their children, Skye and Andrew. He is a member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church and the West End Lions Club.
John J. Calka
Funeral Assistant Emeritus
30 year employee
John J. Calka
Funeral Assistant Emeritus
30 year employee
Kevin Grady
Funeral Home Assistant
After a long career in public service, including many years as a Richland police officer and later as Chief of Police at Pitt Johnstown, Kevin has worked with individuals of all ages and often in times of need. He brings a strong commitment to helping others to his work at Harris Funeral Home. As an employee since 2016, Kevin’s caring and supportive manner, along with his genuine interest in people and families, is welcomed by families being served. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Kevin and his wife, Janet, are longtime residents of Richland Township.
Kevin Grady
Funeral Home Assistant
After a long career in public service, including many years as a Richland police officer and later as Chief of Police at Pitt Johnstown, Kevin has worked with individuals of all ages and often in times of need. He brings a strong commitment to helping others to his work at Harris Funeral Home. As an employee since 2016, Kevin’s caring and supportive manner, along with his genuine interest in people and families, is welcomed by families being served. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Kevin and his wife, Janet, are longtime residents of Richland Township.
Jim McCreary
Funeral Director Assistant
Jim McCreary
Funeral Director Assistant
Jim has been an employee since 2016. He was a volunteer firefighter serving the community in many capacities for over 40 years. He strives to ensure families are treated with compassion and understanding, and their loved one is treated with dignity. As a US Army veteran, Jim ensures all veterans in our care are given the recognition, respect, and care they deserve for their service
John Russin
Funeral Director Assistant
John has been on the funeral home staff since 2021. He worked for 20 years at Conemaugh and Blacklick Railroad as a yardmaster and also for 20 years for the City of Johnstown as a meter technician. He strives to provide the best possible care for the families we serve.
John Russin
Funeral Director Assistant
John has been on the funeral home staff since 2021. He worked for 20 years at Conemaugh and Blacklick Railroad as a yardmaster and also for 20 years for the City of Johnstown as a meter technician. He strives to provide the best possible care for the families we serve.
Robert Griffith
Funeral Director Assistant
Robert has been helping families at Harris Funeral Home since 2023. He is responsible for helping grieving families with transportation of loved ones, aiding in funeral operations, and cremations of beloved pets. As a pet lover, he creates pet memorabilia to honor their legacy and help console their owners during that difficult time. He worked as an EMT for 31 years. He currently works full-time at the American Red Cross in the warehouse where he helps dispense medical supplies for local and national blood drives.
Robert Griffith
Funeral Director Assistant
Robert has been helping families at Harris Funeral Home since 2023. He is responsible for helping grieving families with transportation of loved ones, aiding in funeral operations, and cremations of beloved pets. As a pet lover, he creates pet memorabilia to honor their legacy and help console their owners during that difficult time. He worked as an EMT for 31 years. He currently works full-time at the American Red Cross in the warehouse where he helps dispense medical supplies for local and national blood drives.
Stan Niton
Funeral Director Assistant
Stan Niton joined the Harris Funeral Home staff in September of 2024 after a 39 year career as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He is well known in the Geistown-Richland area. He prides himself in serving those in need. He is a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Geistown where he is a lector. Stan and his wife, Betty reside in Richland with their dog, Louie.
Stan Niton
Funeral Director Assistant
Stan Niton joined the Harris Funeral Home staff in September of 2024 after a 39 year career as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He is well known in the Geistown-Richland area. He prides himself in serving those in need. He is a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Geistown where he is a lector. Stan and his wife, Betty reside in Richland with their dog, Louie.
Kathy Brinker
Office Manager
Kathy has been employed by Harris Funeral Home since March of 2025. She brings over 40 years of Office Management experience to her position. As Office Manager, Kathy handles the day-to-day tasks in the administrative, operational and financial areas. She continually strives to bring compassion, care and understanding to every family we serve.
Kathy Brinker
Office Manager
Kathy has been employed by Harris Funeral Home since March of 2025. She brings over 40 years of Office Management experience to her position. As Office Manager, Kathy handles the day-to-day tasks in the administrative, operational and financial areas. She continually strives to bring compassion, care and understanding to every family we serve.
Barry Herman
Funeral Home Maintenance and Atmosphere
Barry has worked at the funeral home since 2021 and is responsible for light maintenance. He is the person who keeps our buildings in great shape, and he works hard to create a comfortable environment for our families. Barry is a vital part of our team, and we are fortunate to have him on board. He is our “fix-it” guy and has experience and knowledge in many areas. Barry is a native of Portage, and he enjoys local events and time at his family’s camp “up North.”
Barry Herman
Funeral Home Maintenance and Atmosphere
Barry has worked at the funeral home since 2021 and is responsible for light maintenance. He is the person who keeps our buildings in great shape, and he works hard to create a comfortable environment for our families. Barry is a vital part of our team, and we are fortunate to have him on board. He is our “fix-it” guy and has experience and knowledge in many areas. Barry is a native of Portage, and he enjoys local events and time at his family’s camp “up North.”
