Who We Are

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

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  Our History

  The Becker Funeral Homes were founded in 1896 when Dan Davidson and Jesse Cunningham, opened the Cunningham-Davidson Funeral Home in Lowellville, Ohio. The business was operated from a storefront on Water Street, which was not unusual in those days as embalming and visitations were in the home of the deceased, with the funeral usually conducted in church. In 1903, they added a full line of furniture to the Water Street business which remained when the funeral home was moved.

  At the turn of the century, Dan Davidson’s wife, Tressa Book, died. Tessa’s sister’s husband, Frank Becker died in an industrial accident. Dan Davidson and Minnie Book Becker later married and raised Minnie’s two children Hazen and Rachel Becker.

  In 1907, Cunningham and Davidson opened a funeral home and livery firm on Bridge Street in Struthers. Later, Jesse assumed ownership of the Lowellville firm and Davidson remained in Struthers.

  In 1913, The Davidson’s opened the D.A. Davidson Funeral Home Office and livery business in the home and barn at the corner of Poland Avenue and Spring Street in Struthers.

  Davidson's stepson, Hazen L Becker had graduated from Struthers Schools, Hall’s Business College and the Cleveland Mortuary College. He married the former Florence Kashner. He served in WW I in the US Army as a sergeant with Base Hospital 31 of Youngstown in France. Upon his return from the war, Hazen re-entered funeral service with Dan Davidson. His sister, Rachel Becker, taught school at Adams in Youngstown and at Struthers.

  In the early teens the funeral home changed from horse drawn coaches to the first automobiles to be used in funeral service in the area.

  In 1925, they removed the barn and constructed the first free standing building used exclusively as a Funeral Home in that section of Ohio. The buildings many "firsts" included a dedicated embalming room, an electric generator and air conditioning and a garage large enough for visitors to drive in, unload the passengers and return outside. It's interesting to note the original air-conditioner, located in the basement, was a powerful fan blowing air over a pan with blocks of ice then through pipes into outlets in the floor of the two rooms of the funeral home. A Hillgreen-Lane, church type, pipe organ was another first. As a tribute to their foresight and innovation, the building, though much modified and enlarged, is still in use today, being the foundation of our modern Davidson-Becker Funeral Home in Struthers.

  Upon the death of Dan Davidson in 1939, Rachel left teaching to assist Hazen in the operation of the funeral home.

  Hazen Becker's son, Dan, a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) served in the US Army as a paratrooper sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division, and upon his return in 1961 entered the Davidson firm. In 1962, the D.A. Davidson name was changed to Davidson-Becker.

  Hazen Becker, leaving a legacy of professional funeral service, died in 1983.

  Along with his duties at the funeral home, Dan Becker founded additional businesses including Gold Cross Ambulance, Gold Cross Medical Service and Gold Cross Limousine and Livery Service in 1967. He founded Western Reserve Cremation Service in 1985 and Angel's Rest Pet Cremation Service in 1996. The ambulance and home medical equipment business had expanded to other areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania and the home medical division opened in Key West, Florida in 1982. In 1995, the ambulance division was sold to the Rural Metro Corporation. In 1998, Dan and his daughter, Kandace Becker-Hagendorn, sold the home medical business. The funeral, cremation and limousine and livery businesses continue to serve the community and other funeral homes.

  Kelly Becker, CFSP, daughter of Dan and Margaret, began working at Gold Cross Ambulance in 1979 and transferred into the Funeral Home in 1986. She received a degree from Youngstown State University and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. She became manager of the funeral home in 1993.

  After a brief partnership in 1989, Becker Funeral Homes acquired total ownership of the Cunningham Funeral Homes in 1995. As stated earlier, Jesse Cunningham was a founding partner with Dan Davidson in 1896 and retained the Lowellville business after they separated the businesses in 1907. The Cunningham's also remained family owned, with the operation passing to Jesse's son, Arthur, then Arthur's sons, George and Ralph, and to Ralph’s widow, Charlotte, their daughter, Kathy, and Kathy’s husband, Paul Yeloushan. The Lowellville funeral home had been moved from Water Street, which continued to house the furniture store, first to a house on Walnut Street, then later to its present location on McGill Street. In 1963, the Cunningham's purchased the Dr. Lupsey home on Main Street in Poland, Ohio and remodeled it into a funeral home.

  After the Becker's re-entered the firm, both the Lowellville and Poland facilities were greatly expanded, remodeled and redecorated. They were renamed Cunningham-Becker Funeral Homes with the Struthers facility retaining the name Davidson-Becker.

  In 1999, Kelly Becker-Rumberg, CFSP, became president and is now the fourth generation to lead this independent funeral home entering the second century of operation. Dan Becker, CFSP, is CEO.

• Our Valued Staff

  

  Listed left to right, top to bottom.
  1. Joe Koken, John Gingery, George Howard, John P. Brown, III, Paul Birch, Ed Grisa, Grant Williams
  2. Bill Leck, Rich Matis, Rob Pennell, Dave Bompage, Jim Carchedi, Harry Wilson
  3. Gene Noday, Larry Cavicchi, John E. Smith, Courtney Tamulonis, Chuck Campbell, Dan Bellish
  4. Shelby L. McDanel, Daniel H. Becker, Kelly L. Becker, Alfred H. Davis. Jr. , Steve Klim
  5. Kathy Schmitt, Denise Wagner, Ruth Raseta, Paty Asher, Buffy Davis, Carol Desaulles, Becky Kountz

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    Daniel H. Becker, CFSP

    Dan Becker, CFSP, was educated in Struthers City Schools, Mercersburg Academy, Youngstown State University and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.
    
    Dan Becker began working in funeral service as a teenager and became full time with his father Hazen in 1961, upon his return from the army as a paratrooper sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division. He has been a licensed Ohio funeral director and embalmer since 1967. He holds an Ohio Insurance Sales license to sell pre-need funeral insurance.
    
    In 2001 he became the first person in the three county area to complete the continuing education requirements of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice to be awarded the designation of a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner.
    
    In 1967 he was the founder of the former Gold Cross Ambulance and Medical Service, which brought paramedic service to the area. He retired from the ambulance service in 1995 with the sale of Gold Cross to the Rural Metro Corporation.
    
    He is a past president of the three county Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Ohio and National Funeral Directors Associations where he has served on many committees, and the Selected Independent Funeral Homes. He is a founding member of the Cremation Operators Association of Ohio where he served on the committee that established legislation for the regulation of crematories in Ohio in 1998.
    
    Dan Becker served on the Struthers City Board of Education for twelve years, three of which were as president. He has been a volunteer with the American Heart Association since 1964 serving in most positions locally including chairman of the board. In 1975 he was the representative of the Heart Association sent to Miami to learn to be an instructor-trainer for the then new procedure of CPR and charged with bringing it to and instituting the training in this area. He was a long time board member of the Ohio Affiliate of the American Heart Association serving as chairman during a critical time of reorganization. He has served on many National Heart committees and projects. He continues on the local board where he is one of three (two living) Life Members.
    
    He is a member, Paul Harris Fellow and past president of the Struthers Rotary. He was Vice President of the board of trustees of the Mahoning County and Youngstown Library retiring in 2004. He serves on the board of the Better Business Bureau of Youngstown. He was a founding board member of the Dyslectic Learning Center of the Youngstown Scottish Rite. He was a founding member and the first president of the Struthers School Foundation for Educational Excellence. He is a former member and Assistant Chief of the Volunteer Section of the Struthers Fire Department. He is a former scout master of Troop 16. He is a graduate of Leadership Mahoning Valley.
    
    He is a member of Poland Lodge F & AM #766, the Scottish Rite, Valley of Youngstown where he was elected a 33rd degree member for his community service, Al Koran Shrine, the Youngstown Shrine Club, Aut Mori Grotto where he volunteers as the director of the annual Circus, Jesters Court #14, Poland Masonic Breakfast Club, the Base Community Council of the Youngstown Air Force Reserve Base, the Struthers Athletic Club and the ROMEOs.
    
    He is a member of the Struthers Presbyterian Church where he has served as a deacon, elder and chairman of the congregation.
    
    Dan Becker was married to the former Margaret (Margy) Trucksis for almost 54 years before her death in July 2009. They have five children, Kim Horyn of Nantucket, Mass, Kandace Becker-Hagendorn of Poland, Kelly Becker of Poland, Kate Becker of Washington, DC and Daniel H. D. Becker of Struthers. They have nine grandchildren.
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    Kelly L. Becker, CFSP

    Becoming President of Becker Funeral Homes in 1999, Kelly has been with the firm since 1986. From 1979 to 1986, she was Assistant Director of Communications with the former Gold Cross Ambulance.
    
    Kelly is a Licensed Ohio Embalmer and Funeral Director, and holds an Ohio license for pre-need funeral insurance sales. She is a graduate of Struthers City Schools, Youngstown State University with an Associate Degree in Business, and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.
    
    In 1996 and 1997 Kelly served as president of the Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana Funeral Directors Association. She is a member of the Ohio and National Funeral Directors Associations, and the Selected Independent Funeral Homes.
    
    In 2003 Kelly completed the curriculum of continuing education to be awarded the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner designation. CFSP.
    
    Kelly resides in Poland with her two sons, Robert and Fritz Rumberg.
    
    Active in the community, Kelly serves many organizations:
    
    • Past President and Paul Harris of Struthers Rotary
    • Board of Directors, Mahoning Valley American Red Cross
    • Board of Directors of CASTLO Community Improvement Corp
    • Board of Directors of the Poland Historical Society
    • Member and past President of the Struthers Rotary
    • Member, Struthers and Lowellville Business Associations
    • Alumni of LEADERSHIP Mahoning Valley 2000
    • Member and Elder of the Struthers Presbyterian Church
    • Former member of the Youngstown Symphony Guild
    • Former member of Hospice of the Valley
    • Former member Poland PTA
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    Shelby L. McDanel, Licensed Funeral Director

    Shelby McDanel was born and raised in New Castle, Pennsylvania. She was a 2002 graduate of Shenango High School. After graduation, she attended Youngstown State University for two years to receive her general requirements before entering mortuary school.
    
    In 2004, Shelby moved to Cincinnati and enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. She graduated in December of 2006, earning her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude. She was the recipient of the Dr. George M. Sleichter Award, which is the class salutatorian award, and the Ohio Crematory Operators Association Award. Shelby also was Secretary/Treasurer of her class and a member of the Delta Gamma Pi Professional Sorority.
    
    After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Shelby served her one-year apprenticeship at Becker Funeral Homes and now is employed as an Ohio licensed funeral director and embalmer with the funeral home. She also holds an Ohio Insurance Sales License to sell pre-need funeral insurance. She now makes her home in Struthers.
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    Alfred H. (Fred) Davis Jr., Licensed Funeral Director

    The Davis Funeral Home was founded by Alfred Davis Sr., and Paul Velker in 1955. Alfred (Fred) Davis Jr., joined his father in 1980. Fred is a life-long resident of Boardman and a 1975 graduate of Boardman High School. Fred received his Bachelors’ degree from Adrian College in 1979, and went on to graduate from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1980. Fred, along with the assistance of his wife Buffy, manage the Boardman facilities.
    
    Fred is a member of the Boardman United Methodist Church, where he has served as an usher and is a member of the Board of Trustees. Fred is currently a member of the Board of Education and is a member of the Four Square Club.
    
    He is a former member of the Boardman Boosters, Boardman Community Foundation and the Boardman Civic Association.
    
    Fred and his wife Buffy have three sons, A.H., Kyle and Jay Davis.
    
    
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    Daniel P. Madden CFSP, Funeral Director
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    Mary Juliene Morrone LSW, Grief Counselor

    Bachelor of Arts Youngstown State University
    Major Social Work
    Minor Psychology
    
    
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    Gina Marie Haren LISW, Grief Counselor

    Bachelor of Arts Youngstown State University - Major in Social Work
    Case Western Reserve - Master in Social Service Adminstration
    
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    Paty Asher, Bookeeper
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    Kathy Schmitt, Office Manager
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    Denise Wagner, Administrative Assistant
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    Buffy Davis, Office Manager