Our Staff

Brian Leffler

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant

Brian was born and raised in Pottsville. In 1993, as a student at Pottsville Area High School, Leffler began working, part time, at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home. Finding this profession very fulfilling, he continued his education at Northampton Community College, where he obtained an associate’s degree in Applied Science and Certificate of Mortuary Education. He then served his internship with Heffner Family Service, who was at that time, owner of Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home. In 1996 he became a licensed funeral director, working exclusively at this Pottsville Funeral Home. Then in January 2002 he took the next step in his career, proudly accepting the position of general manager at this same facility where he began part time employment only nine years earlier. On August 16, 2013 Mr. Leffler completed the purchase of Schlitzer Allen Pugh and three other funeral homes in Pennsylvania and one in New York.   

Brian is the son of Agnes Leffler of Pottsville and the late Edward Leffler. He has one brother, Edward, who with his wife, Joanne, also resides in town. Brian married a hometown girl, Victoria (Pellish) Leffler, daughter of Charles and Theresa (Austerberry) Pellish, of Pottsville. They have been blessed with two children, Gage and Sloane. Brian and his entire family would like to say how proud they are to be able to continue the legacy for providing the highest quality funeral and cremation services to his hometown and surrounding communities. 

Telephone: 1-570-622-7888

Email: 

Albert Breznik

Licensed Funeral Director

Albert was born and raised in Ringtown and is a  graduate of the North Schuylkill High School.  He attended Penn State university and the former Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse, NY.  He was appointed a deputy coroner in Schuylkill County in 1991, serving until 2015.  His affiliation with and eventual purchase of the former Edward W. Stauffer Funeral Home in Ringtown has been the home base of his lifelong funeral service career, spanning almost thirty years, owning and operating the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home in Ringtown until its merger with the Tributes of Life Famliy of Funeral Homes.

Serving the Ringtown community over the years as a council member and Mayor of the borough, Albert is also a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Greek Ukrainian Catholic Church in Shenandoah, where he served as a former trustee and current financial counsel committee member.  He belongs to the Ashland Lodge #294 F&AM, and the Valley of Bloomsburg, Caldwell Consistory.  He and his wife, Brenda, a dental hygienist for Tri-Valley Dental in Hegins, reside in Ringtown.

Albert recently became affiliated with this location, and is looking forward to serving families in the greater Pottsville area, along with continuing to serve those in the Ringtown Valley.

Telephone: 1-570-622-7888

Email: 

Shawn E. Carper

Preneed Counselor

Shawn E. Carper was born in Roaring Spring, Blair County, PA.  He now resides in Middletown, Dauphin County, PA with his wife, Patricia, 2 daughters, Lillian and Vivian, 2 dogs, Lila and Owie and his cat, Pinwheel.  When he is not working, he enjoys traveling, skiing, hiking and cooking.

Shawn has been involved in  deathcare for 30 years and licensed for 28 years.  But for the last 26 years he has been specializing in helping families throughout Pennsylvania plan their end of life celebrations. He finds that helping families ease the burdens of making tough decisions at the time of  loss to be very rewarding.

Clare Umbenhaur

Non-Licensed Funeral Attendant/ Community Outreach Coordinator

Clare is a Schuylkill county native, growing up in Orwigsburg. She now resides in Deer Lake with her daughter Roslyn, black cat Binx, and rescue dog Grim.

A Blue Mountain graduate who traveled after school, spending years in both North Carolina and California. She's a lover of the beach, music, and art. Clare also enjoys downhill skiing, reading, and is a skilled equestrian.

As the head of community outreach she looks forward to getting to know the community on a deeper level and helping those in need, along with assisting our funeral directors during funeral services.

Email: 

Jack Hoffman

Non-Licensed Funeral Attendant

Jack Hoffman is native of Pottsville, PA and resides there today, with his wife, of 40 years, the former Barbara Hallman.  After graduating from Pottsville High School in 1955, he began employment with the ACME super market chain. He dedicated 42 years to his career and retired as an auditor with this same company. 

Jack served in the Army reserves and retired after 21 years of service, with the rank of Sergeant First Class.   He worked at Pottsville Area EMS for 30 years as a paramedic assistant EMT.  Jack was vice president of the Pottsville Club from 2005-2006. He is a past president of Ivyside Swim Club and is a past assistant EMA coordinator of Schuylkill County.  He is a member of Pulaski Masonic Lodge #216. Jack is the Emergency Management Coordinator of the City of Pottsville. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and has served on church council. He is a 50 year member of Yorkville Hose Company where he retired as chief engineer and currently serves as financial secretary and chief medical officer. 

He has been associated with Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home since 2010. 

Rynell Van Luvender

Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant

Rynell has been an associate with us since September 2009 after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. She is a licensed funeral director and serves families at many of our locations. 

Originally from Waynesboro, PA, she now resides in Plains, PA with her husband Michael Van Luvender and their daughter, Rya. Rynell enjoys hiking, reading and spending time with her family. 

Rynell is also a Certified Celebrant. If you are not a member of a church or if you simply do not wish to have a religious service, she can help you. As a Certified Celebrant, Rynell works with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased. She received her training and certification from the In-Sight Institute. 

Edward Leffler

Non-Licensed Funeral Attendant

Ed is a lifelong resident of Pottsville, currently residing in the Yorkville section of the city along with his wife Joanne (Bonan) Leffler.  Ed and his wife have three daughters.  He is a graduate of St. John the Baptist Grade school, Pottsville Area High School and earned a Certificate in Management from Penn State University. 

Ed worked for Cressona Aluminum Company/Alcoa, for 23 years and is currently employed by   RockTenn - Fold-Pak, a manufacturer of paperboard take-out containers, as Safety/Environmental/Quality Manager.  Recently he was selected to serve on the RockTenn Folding Division Safety Council to review and set safety policy.  He is also a member of the National Safety Council.   

Ed is active in his community as a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Pottsville where he and his wife serve on the Food Committee. He is also proud to be a member/officer of the Good Will Fire Company # 4 of Pottsville.  In his free time, he enjoys traveling, with his family, to the beach as well as gardening and other outdoor activities. 

He has been associated with Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home since 2005

Mandy Leymeister

Non-Licensed Funeral Attendant

Mandy is a lifelong resident of Schuylkill County, currently residing in Cass Township along with her husband Matthew Donatti and three sons. She is a graduate of Nativity BVM High School, and Mccann School of Business & Technology. She is a Medical Assistant and Certified Phlebotomist Technician. 

She has been associated with Schlitzer­Allen-Pugh Funeral Home since March of 2021.

Mandy works for Bowers Donuts Inc and is the People's Assistant Manager, and has been with the company for approximately 8 years. 

Mandy is a member of the Northward Social Club, and enjoys volunteering within the community. In her free time she enjoys traveling with her family, singing, photography, and enjoying nature. 

Angela Mestishen Regnier

Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant

Angela M. Mestishen –Regnier was born and raised in Schuylkill County. She attended St. Clair Area Schools and graduated from Pottsville Area High School. She graduated from Northampton Community College in 1995 with an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service Education. Prior to becoming licensed she completed her internship locally and then continued to provide her professional services to families within Schuylkill County while working at a local firm. 

Angela is the proud mother of two sons and a daughter. She, along with her children are members of St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church, Minersville. She is a member of the St. Clair Women’s Club and the Schuylkill Heath Auxilliary. 

She has been affiliated with the Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home since September 2013 and is dedicated to providing quality and professional services that are both dignified and serve as a tribute for the deceased and their family.