Originally from Minerva, Chris grew up around funeral service, watching his father Rodney work for Arnold Funeral Home in Canton and Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva. Chris graduated from Minerva High School and received his B.S. in Biology and Music from Ohio Northern University and his associate degree in Mortuary Science from The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. 

Chris began his career in funeral service in 1998, working for Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home in Alliance for 9 years.  After starting their family, Chris and his wife decided to purchase the former Ickes Funeral Home in Salem with his business partner David Peterson in 2005, which they renamed Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service. In 2012, they had the opportunity to further serve Salem, Sebring, and the surrounding communities by purchasing Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home in Sebring.  

Chris and his family attend Salem First United Methodist Church, where he serves as Music Director. Chris is a member of Bayard Grange, Columbiana County Pomona Grange, and Ohio State Grange, and he is a 7th-degree member of The National Grange. He served as Ohio Grange Ambassador, and he and his wife were also selected as the Ohio Young Couple of the Year. Chris is also a member of Conrad Masonic Lodge, a 32-degree Scottish Rite Valley of Canton member, and a member of Tadmor Shrine, the Alliance Shrine Club, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, The Ohio Embalmers Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and the Alliance and Salem Chamber’s of Commerce. He also served as Chairman, President, Treasurer, and Board Member of the Alliance Carnation City Festival. 

Chris and his wife, Christine, have two children, Morgan and Mason.

David grew up in the small town of Beloit, Ohio. He graduated from West Branch High School and attended Malone College. 

David and his wife, Linda (Kerr) Peterson, have two daughters, Teresa and Beth, along with three grandchildren, Tyler, Ryliegh, and Madison. 

For 23 years, David owned and operated David's Floral. After selling his flower business, David was asked by Peter and Jean Johnson to manage the Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton for 15 years.

David has been involved in many community organizations, including the Salem Community Theatre Board, Alliance Symphony Board, and the Carnation Festival Board, serving both as President and Chairman. He also served as the Alliance United Way Retail Chairman and is a former member of the Salem Regional Hospital Foundation Board. He is currently a member of Damascus Ruritans, Homeworth Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Valley of Canton, and the Sebring Business Association. He is a founder of the Sebring Christmas Festival and the Garden Club. 

David attends Salem First United Methodist Church and is part of the Choir. Previously, he was a member of Damascus Friends Church. Unable to leave his passion for flowers, David and his business partner Dick Biery have been our in-house florists since 2005, creating flower arrangements for families to help make their time just a little bit easier. 

David works hard to carry on the rich traditions of both funeral homes, continually striving for excellence in service. To continue to provide the care families come to expect from us, David has become a certified celebrant so he can serve families and provide services for those who may not have a pastor or loved one to help with a service.

Christine was born in England before moving to northeast Ohio. She attended Columbiana Village Schools and graduated from West Liberty-Salem High School in West Liberty, Ohio. She graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Ohio Northern University and obtained her teacher certification from the University of Mount Union, and she now teaches Environmental and Physical Science at Alliance High School.

Since 1999, Christine has been involved in funeral service, and after serving her apprenticeship, she became licensed in 2014. She is a certified preneed consultant and a member of the NFDA and OFDA.  

Christine is a firefighter I /EMT with Berlin Township Fire Department, a member of Bayard Grange #1878 and Pomona Grange #62, and attends Salem First United Methodist Church.  She is a past chairman of the Carnation Festival Grand Parade. Chris and Christine are the proud parents of Morgan and Mason.

Sam joined our team in 2013 and currently runs our preplanning and aftercare programs. He is a 2012 graduate of Western Reserve High School. He attended Kent State University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in January 2015 with an associate degree in Specialized Business. He then attended Point Park University to obtain his bachelor’s degree and serve his funeral director and embalmer apprenticeship to become a licensed funeral director. 

Sam is an active member of the Mahoning County 4-H program, where he served as an advisor on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board and the Mahoning County Poultry Committee and is the Advisor of the Mahoning County Barnstormers 4-H Club. He participated as a 4-H member for 14 years, showing livestock and participating in many fair activities. Sam serves as a member of the Mahoning County 4-H Endowment and is part of the 4-H Camp Whitewood program. 

Sam is also a member of the Berlin Township Fire Department as a firefighter and EMR. Sam is involved in UCT (United Commercial Travelers), the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, and he is a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association.

Sam is also very active in the community as a founding member of Wreaths for Veterans, the Emily Waseman Foundation, the Sebring Christmas Festival, and Sebring Friends of the Park, and he is an active member of the Sebring Business Association.

Bobby joined our team in 1996 as a support staff member. Bobby is a great asset to the funeral home, taking care of our Facebook page, the beautiful landscaping at both our funeral home locations, and other general duties.

Bobby graduated from Sebring High School in 1989 and resides in Sebring. After graduation, he attended Kent State University. He is an active member of the UCT (United Commercial Travelers), Homeworth Free, Youngstown Shrine Club, Al Koran Shrine Temple, and Accepted Masons 499, where he serves as Worshipful Master. He is a member of Sebring Church of the Nazarene and serves on the church board.

Rodney isn’t a stranger to funeral service! He has been involved in it for the majority of his life. He was first employed by Arnold Funeral Home in Canton and attended Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Eventually, he returned to his hometown of Minerva and worked as a staff member and paramedic at Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home. 

While his family was attending school, Rodney became more focused on the ambulance aspect of his job and soon began working for Alliance Ambulance and City Coach Company. After his son graduated from mortuary school, Rodney returned to the funeral industry, working alongside his son at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian.  

We are happy to have Rodney's experience with us today! Rodney belongs to Bayard Grange, Columbiana County Pomona Grange, The Ohio State Grange, and the National Grange. He and his wife Linda recently retired as the County Deputies for Columbiana County after over 20 years. Rodney and Linda reside in Malvern.

Linda Lorraine Peterson lives in Damascus, Ohio, and is married to David Peterson. Together, they have two daughters, Teresa and Beth. 

In 2011, Linda received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Kent State University, Salem. She then earned her master's degree in education with an emphasis in clinical counseling from Malone University in 2014. 

Practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Linda’s areas of competence and specialty include social and personal counseling, mental health counseling, chemical dependency, addictions counseling, and the diagnosing and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. She is employed by CommQuest, where she works with individual adults 18+ counseling for mental health, drug and alcohol issues, and grief. 

Linda is also a musician on the staff of the United Methodist Church in Salem. She enjoys family and friends and believes that with God, all things are possible.