Our Heritage
Since 1895, the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home has been an institution in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where the name has become the hallmark for dignified, distinctive, helpful service during a family's most poignant moments. Established by J.S. Burkholder in 1895, its reputation and experience have come down through four generations, including two father and son teams.
After the death of the founder in 1926, the
business was conducted by his widow, Elizabeth Burkholder, and their son Robert
L. Burkholder, a respected leader in many areas of community life. His death in
1951 again made changes necessary and Harry Mike Weber, who had been associated
with him, became the managing partner under an arrangement in which the
surviving members of the Burkholder family shared.
Weber acquired the
business in 1971 and conducted it under the name of his predecessors and in the
traditions he and they had so firmly established. When he died in 1976, his
wife Mary K. Weber, and their son, Michael A. Weber, a graduate of East
Stroudsburg State College and Simmons College of Mortuary Science, became the
owners. In 2012, after several years of discussion and study, Michael sold his
interest to his hand-picked successor, Carl F. Schmoyer III, who is a fifth
generation Lehigh County licensed funeral director.
Today, J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home is the only funeral establishment in Allentown selected for membership in the Selected Independent Funeral Homes. This means that it accepts the highest standards of good funeral practice; gives full effect to the role of the clergy; respects all faiths, creeds, and customs; assures those it serves the right of personal choice and decision-making in funeral arrangements; makes funerals available in as wide a range of price categories as necessary to meet the needs of all segments of the community; and applies a standard of complete honesty in all dealings.
-
Matthew G. Brand Supervisor
Mr. Brand received his Associates Degree at Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ, and his Mortuary Science Degree from Northampton Community College in 1990. He joined the Burkholder staff in 1990 and was appointed Assistant Manager in 1998. Mr. Brand was recently promoted to General Manager in 2018. Matthew is an active member of the Allentown/Kuhnsville Lions Club where he currently serves as 2nd Vice-President. He and his wife, Lisa are members of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. They are the parents of two sons, Matthew and Bailey.
-
Matthew B. Brand Funeral Director Intern
Matthew received his Associate's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Lehigh Carbon Community College in 2017 and his Mortuary Science degree from Northampton Community College in 2022. He is also a Certified Crematory Operator. Matthew has been a member of the Burkholder staff since 2010 and is following in his father’s footsteps as he joins the staff as a Funeral Director Intern. Matthew is a member of the Allentown Kuhnsville Lions Club and the Greenawalds Fire Department in Allentown. In 2017, Matthew received the Allentown Police Department Civilian Commendation Award.
-
Dee A Kindt Executive Office Manager
Dee received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting in 1992 from the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Previously working with Trexler Funeral Home in Allentown, she joined the Burkholder staff as Office Manager in 2012 and was recently promoted to Executive Office Manager. Dee has been the Treasurer/ Membership Chair for the Women’s National Book Association, Philadelphia Chapter, since 2014. She has successfully run her Tastefully Simple home business for nearly 20 years. She has also worked with several community theater groups in the Lehigh Valley and has performed in such productions as The Little Princess, Beauty and the Beast, and The Addams Family.
-
Michael A. Weber Chairman Emeritus
Fourth generation succeeding his late father Harry "Mike" in 1976, Michael is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University and Simmons College of Mortuary Science. He is now Chairman Emeritus as of 2018 after 42 years of service. Michael serves on the board of the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Allentown, and the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. He is a 32nd degree Mason with Jordan Lodge #673, Allentown, and Valley of Allentown, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory of Allentown. Michael is a member of Shriners of North America (Rajah Shrine), Blandon, Hillbilly Degree-Clan #9 of Allentown, and Royal Order of Jesters Allentown Court #128. In addition, he is on the Phoebe Ministries President's Council. He is a member of Hogan's Social Club of Allentown, and the Mercantile Club of Emmaus. He is a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Michael is the father of three children, Jennifer, Andrew, and Chantelle, and grandfather of six.
-
Carl F Schmoyer III Owner-President
After receiving his Mortuary Science Degree from Northampton Community College in 1991, Mr. Schmoyer joined his father in Breinigsville as the fifth generation director at the family business which was founded at the same location today by his Great-Great-Grandfather, Daniel Schmoyer in 1870. Carl is a 32nd degree Mason, where he is a member of Lehigh Lodge #326, Trexlertown and a member of Valley of Allentown, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory of Allentown. In addition, he is a member of Shriners of North America (Rajah Shrine). Carl served as treasurer of the Upper Macungie Township Fireman’s Relief Association for 30 years retiring in 2019. He is a life member of Good Will Fire Company No. 1 in Trexlertown where he orchestrated the centennial celebration of the department in 2016. Carl is a general class amateur radio operator and very active with the National Weather Service as a senior certified weather spotter in both Lehigh County and Cape May County, New Jersey. A licensed BATF pyrotechnician, he has also orchestrated the village of Breinigsville Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular since 1984, which has been retired in 2022. Michael A. Weber sold the business in December 2012 to Carl as his hand-picked successor.
