Staff

Courteous & Understanding

	Kevin Bean Kevin Bean is a Berks County native and lifetime resident. As the son of Robert E. Bean, and the late Jacqueline D. Bean, founders of Bean Funeral Homes, Kevin literally grew up in funeral service, helping his parents and learning the business. After attending Penn State University, Kevin went on to become a 1981 graduate of the Dallas (Texas) Institute of Mortuary Science. He became a licensed funeral director in the state of PA in 1982 and now manages the four Bean locations in Shillington, Reading, Sinking Spring, and Exeter Township.
	Robert E. Bean Robert E. Bean was born and raised in nearby Lebanon County and moved to Reading in 1946., and worked at the former Gibson Funeral Home. He and his wife, the late Jacqueline D. Bean, founded the first Bean Funeral Home. Robert is a 1949 graduate of the American Academy of Mortuary Science in New York City, and received his "Undertaker" license (yes, "Undertaker") that same year from the PA State Board. From 1951 to 1954, Robert served his country as an Artillery Sergeant in the Korean War, but immediately came back home to serve the community he cares so much about.
	Norman E. Connors Norman E. Connors is a native of the North Hills Section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A 2000 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Norm has been a licensed funeral director in Pennsylvania since October 2001. Norm earned his Bachelors Degree in English Writing at the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated in 1994. He is a 1990 graduate of North Catholic High School, Pittsburgh, PA.
	Achsah Eiceman Achsah is originally from Lebanon County. She is a 1993 graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College with an Associates degree in Liberal Arts/Social Sciences. In 1995, Achsah graduated from Northampton Area Community College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Service Education. Achsah has been associated with Bean Funeral Homes since 1996 and works exclusively in helping people with their advance planning needs.
	Joseph McCullough Originally from Schuylkill County, PA, Joe graduated from Northampton County Area Community College in 1984 with an Associate degree in Funeral Service Education. After completing school, Joe received his PA Funeral Director’s license in 1985 and has been with Bean Funeral Homes since 1996. Joe’s professional, caring attitude surely shines through when assisting families at all four Bean locations.
	Terry Shannon Terry, a native and lifetime resident of Berks County, has been employed with Bean Funeral Homes since 1973 – the year after he graduated from high school! Terry continued to attend college, receiving an Associate degree in Business from Penn State University in 1974, and a degree in Mortuary Science from the American Acadamy-McCallister Institute in New York City, in 1975. Terry has been a licensed Funeral Director in PA since 1976 and enjoys caring for area families at all four Bean Funeral Home locations.
	Jane Romano Jane Romano, formerly Jane Ibach, is a Berks County native and lifetime resident of Shillington. Jane has been the Administrative Manager for Bean Funeral Homes since she started in 1985. Her smiling face and caring disposition always makes both staff and client families feel at ease the moment they walk through the door.
	Rebecca L. Giles Born and raised in Bedford County, PA, Becky has been a resident of Berks County for thirty years. She had been associated with the Joseph D. Giles Funeral Home, Inc. & Crematorium in Mohnton for that same amount of time until Joe sold the business in January of 2006. Becky has always felt joy in caring for people and she continues to care for families, assisting and guiding them during their time of need.
	Caitlin Mercer Caitlin Mercer, formerly Caitlin Parsons, was born in Washington D.C. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2002 with a degree in Biology and Music. Caitlin has worked at Joseph Gawler's Sons in Washington D.C. and Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York City. She is now a secretary at Bean Funeral Homes where she enjoys using her artistic side to help families memorialize their loved-ones.

	Bill Abramowicz Bill is formerly a classroom teacher and a school administrator of 46 years. During those years he was associated with Reading Central Catholic, the Oley and Muhlenberg School Districts, and Cabrini Academy in Reading. Bill is married, has 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and lives in Pennside. He has been working with Bean Funeral Homes since 2003.

	William Baldwin Bill retired as a Vice President of the Bank of Pennsylvania after 37 years. He enjoys barbershopping with the "Pretzel City Chorus" and the "Never Too Late Quartet." Bill is married, has three children, eight grandchildren, and lives in Exeter Township. He has been working with Bean Funeral Homes in many capacities since March of 1995.

	Rev. Larry Carl Born and raised in Tremont in Schuylkill County, Larry retired as Senior Pastor at Lincoln Park United Methodist Church in 2006, after serving in ministry for 41 years. Larry joined our staff in October, 2006. He has served churches in the Poconos and Southeastern Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelors Degree from Albright College, a Masters of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew and Moravian Theological Schools, as well as a Certificate in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Pennsylvania Foundation of Pastoral Counseling. Larry and his wife, Brenda, reside in Wyomissing and are the proud parents of two children. He enjoys fishing, cooking, photography, travel, and Broadway shows. Pastor Carl adds that "I am honored to be part of the Bean staff" and we are certainly honored to have him as part of our staff.

	Terrance E. Derr, Sr. Born in Mt. Penn, Terry is a graduate of Oley High School and attended Penn State Berks Campus. Terry retired from Consolidated Freightways and enjoys golfing along with his son and his two grandchildren.

	Robert F. Hoch Bob is a Reading native and graduate of Reading High School, Kutztown State College, and Lehigh University with a Masters Degree in Education. Bob retired from the Exeter Township School District in 1997 after 30 years of service, 29 of which he served as principal of the Jacksonwald Elementary School. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and is a Past President of the Mt. Penn Rotary Club. He is presently a member of numerous Masonic bodies and is a Past Master and current Secretary of Isaac Hiester Lodge No. 660, F.&A.M.. He started his association with funeral service in 1997, working with the former Whelan, Fleischmann & Schwartz Funeral Homes which the Bean Family purchased in 2001.

	Philip M. LaScala Phil is a Reading native and a graduate of Reading Central Catholic High School, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA with a degree in Education, a also a graduate of the University of Maryland and the University of Scranton with a Master’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary School Administration. Phil was a Special Education Teacher and Educational Consultant with the Luzerne Intermediate Unit teaching in the Wilkes-Barre schools for 36 years. A Vietnam Era Army Veteran Phil did a tour of duty in the Republic of Korea. Phil is married, has three daughters and resides in Greenfields. Phil enjoys listening to smooth jazz music and has taken 6 smooth jazz cruises with his lovely wife Colleen of 34 years.

	Fred Lenich Fred is a native of Reading, a graduate of Reading Central Catholic High School and Wyomissing Ply Tech. Fred is married, has 4 children, 4 grandchildren, and lives in Exeter Township. Prior to his retirement from Doehler-Jarvis he spent the last 15 years of his career as maintenance supervisor.

	Paul Leonardo Paul is originally from Mountainside, NJ and is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and a Minor in Marketing. He presently owns the Danken House personal care home in Wernersville and enjoys working with people.

	Kenneth Long Kenny worked for AT&T for 30 years before retiring in 1988. He has worked with Bean Funeral Homes since 1989.

	Terry L. Marks Terry Marks, a Berks County native and resident of Spring Township, has been a part-time employee of Bean Funeral Homes since 1994. You will find Terry assisting families, guests, and staff as an outside greeter as they arrive at the funeral homes.

	Thomas J. Spencer Born in Philadelphia, Tom moved to Berks County in 1951, became a resident of Reading for 16 years, and moved to Shillington 30 years ago. Tom attended McCann School of Business, majoring in Business Administration. Tom was part owner of Muhlenberg Foods Inc., which produced ice cream and ice cream mixes for wholesalers and retailers. Later he became Section Operation Manager for the Embossing Department of Meridian Bank. He also worked as Manager of Security at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals in Lancaster. Tom enjoys scuba diving, travel, Broadway shows and spent 37 years in scouting.