HomeHistoryServicesPre-NeedLocal ResourcesStaffGrief ResourcesFAQsDirectionsObituaries

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.

Contact us at .

Arthur "Art" R.
Kunkle, Jr.

Owner, Funeral Director

Arthur R. Kunkle, Jr. 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, Bill Curran and their wives formed a partnership in 2002 and are now the owners of both the Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. and The Brady-Curran Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. with locations in the Apollo, Saltsburg, Vandergrift and Leechburg. In addition Art serves as the Supervisor of the Vandergrift funeral home, and is a member of the Vandergrift Presbyterian Church. Art was born and raised in Vandergrift and currently resides in Oklahoma Boro with his wife Janice (Love). Their son, James, currently resides in Reading, PA, with his wife, Krissy (Christmas) Kunkle.

William "Bill" W. Curran
Owner

Raised in Avonmore along with his brothers, David, Jerry, and Gary Curran, Bill graduated from Avonmore High School and Morehead University, Kentucky. Before joining Curran Funeral Homes in 1989, he was a teacher for the Kiski Area School District, and also worked as a salesman for the steel industry for many years. Bill resides in Saltsburg, and is a parishioner of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Saltsburg. Bill enjoys spending time with his family: his daughter, Meghan and her husband, Austin Reed and their children, Landon and Alyson "Pepper" Reed; his daughter, Shaney Quinn Curran; his son, Keene and wife, Jen Curran and and their children, Tyler, Jordan, and Griffin; and his son, Tyler Jennings Curran. In 2002, after the untimely death of his brother Gary, Bill purchased the funeral homes along with his partner, Art Kunkle and Art's wife, Janice.

James A. Kunkle
Funeral Director

James A. Kunkle, a Kiski Valley native, has joined the staff of Curran’s.  A licensed funeral director since 2000, James is a graduate of The Kiski School, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.   He and his wife, Kristina, reside in Allegheny Township, along with their daughter, Paige. 

Michael N. Singel
Funeral Director

A licensed funeral director, Michael is the supervisor of Curran’s in Saltsburg.  Originally from Monessen, he is a graduate of The Douglas School of business, from which he earned a degree in Specialized Business Administration and accounting. He then earned an associate in specialized business degree from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.  Prior to entering the funeral business, Michael worked in the info rmation technology industry for 16 years.  He and his wife, Christine, reside in Loyalhanna Township, along with their pre-adoptive twin sons. 

Michael D. Heilman
Funeral Director

Michael is the supervisor of Curran Funeral Home in Leechburg. A 1997 graduate of Ford City High, Mike graduated from St. Vincent College in 2001 with a B.A. degree in Political Science, and attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating magna cum laude in 2002 with a degree in embalming and funeral directing. Michael also served his resident internship with Curran's. Originally from Ford City, he is the son of David and Theresa (Smerick) Heilman. Currently residing in West Leechburg, Michael is a parishioner of Christ the King Parish, Leechburg, where he is a cantor, organist, and a member of both the church choir and the pastoral council.

Martha Matarrese
Administrative Assistant

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.

Madeline Sulava
Secretary
Madeline graduated from Leechburg Area High School and has been employed with the Curran Funeral Homes since 2002. A lifelong resident of the Leechburg area, she is the daughter of Emanuel and Connie (Maritto) Matarrese. Madeline, her husband, Frank and their two children, Maria and Eric, currently reside in West Leechburg.
Homer Mizenko
Maintenance Supervisor
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.
Albert Verbena
Funeral Assistant
Albert joined the staff of Curran's in 2003. The son of Louis and Virginia (Toncini) Verbena, Albert and his wife, Stella live in West Leechburg. They have two children, Dayna and Michael. A graduate of Leechburg Area High School and Mansfield State College, Albert retired in June 2004 from the Freeport Area School District, where he was an instrumental music teacher for 36 years. Albert is a member of the Leechburg Area Pool Board of Directors; and is a member of Christ the King Parish, where he serves as the choir director .
Myrna Kulick
Funeral Assistant
Myrna has worked with the Curran Funeral Home for the past seven years. She is a 1958 graduate of Leechburg High School, and still resides in Leechburg with her husband of 42 years, Larry. She is a member of Christ the King Parish, Leechburg, where she serves on the Hospitality Committee. Myrna also has four children and seven grandchildren, and enjoys spending time with her family.
C. Armand Policicchio
Funeral Assistant
Armand has been with the Curran Funeral Homes for seven years. He has lived in Vandergrift all of his life, and resides with his wife of 52 years, Teresa. Armand was a distributor for Archway Cookie Company, until he retired in 1981. He is a parishioner of St. Gertrude Church, Vandergrift, where he serves as the sexton.
Michael C. Hileman
Funeral Assistant
Michael has worked with the Curran Funeral Home for the past seven years. He has lived in Leechburg all of his life, and is a member of Hebron Lutheran Church in Leechburg. Mike is a quality control technician and has one son and one daughter. He also enjoys golfing, fishing, and bowling.
Dave Ostien
Funeral Assistant
Dave joined the staff of Curran's in 2003. Dave was employed by Union Railroad, retiring in 2002, after 34 years of service. He currently resides in Washington Township with his wife, Lynda, and has two children: Christopher Ostien and Jennifer (Ostien) Baum. Dave attends Saint James Roman Catholic Church, Apollo and is a member of the Apollo Elks. In his spare time, Dave enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, and bowling.
Victor Pisone
Funeral Assistant
Victor joined the Curran staff in 2005. He is a member of St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Vandergrift and the Men's Club of the church. Vic is a 1951 graduate of Washington Township High School and was an equipment Operator for Richland Greece Excavating before retiring. He resides in Vandergrift with his wife, Pauline. Vic has three children, Elaine, Linda and Stephen. Three grandsons and two granddaughters complete his family.

- back to top -

 

Selected Independent Funeral Homes