About Us

I was raised in Cuyahoga Falls, graduated from Falls High in 2001 and went on to graduate with a BA from Kent State University. During my time at Kent State, I worked at a Goodyear Tire and Service Center before deciding to come into the family business. In 2009 I was licensed as a Funeral Director and upon Ken Shoemaker’s retirement in 2014 I became co-owner and manager of the funeral home. 

I love Cuyahoga Falls but dreams of country living led us to move to Brimfield where we could have more land. My wife, Ashley and our 2 children, Parker and Jace love spending as much time outside as we can. Playing with our beagle mix, Georga and our Cane Corso, Sawyer, and caring for Ashley’s ever growing hobby farm. 

I truly enjoy getting a chance to meet people from all sorts of different situations and help them through a very difficult time. There is a lot of history and interesting people in our community and this career has allowed me to hear many amazing stories. 

We have a wonderful group of people with big hearts here at the funeral home, which makes coming to work a pleasure.  I hope to serve the community for many years to come.

I married Marty on November 5, 1977, and started working for my father-in-law, Bill Clifford on October 1, 1979. Therefore, I did not marry the boss's daughter, but it was close.

After serving Cuyahoga Falls area families for nearly 40 years, I retired at age 66 on March 11, 2014. My retirement has freed me up for some volunteering, boating in the Portage Lakes, and traveling. I do occasionally help out at the funeral home if my son, Steve needs an extra hand.

(I know - too many names! But that's the way it is!)

I was born and raised in the funeral business, truth be told that is called a "Funeral Brat". When I was 6 years old, my dad, Bill Clifford bought our funeral home.  We lived upstairs for a few years. When my friends would come over we would actually play in the funeral home and they all thought that was pretty fun and a little bit scary, but to this day they still remember it. During all of my school years, I was teased about the funeral business.

After marrying Ken Shoemaker, who joined my father in our funeral business, and our 2 kids,  Tracy and Steve were in school, I was talked into getting my funeral director's license by my dad. I am so glad I did!

Serving and helping families is what I like most about being in our business.

I was raised in a rural area of north central Ohio, fortunate to enjoy country living with a family I love deeply.  I am a graduate of Willard High School, class of 2000.  Following high school and a few life experiences, I went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  In 2012, my career brought me to Cuyahoga Falls, and I have loved this area ever since.  

I enjoy all aspects of my work as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, but most especially I am grateful to be a gentle guide to the families we serve.  

I am a mom to two sweet children, a senior rescue dog, and four chickens.

I am the Senior Pastor at Cuyahoga Chapel Church of God on 4th Street here in Cuyahoga Falls. One day I felt led to call all the funeral homes in the city to introduce myself and to offer my services as a minister. When I called the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, they asked if I was interested in working part time, so I came in, interviewed, and started working part-time. After a few months they asked if I was interested in becoming a funeral director. I said ok and started the apprenticeship. Then a few more months went by, and they asked if I would become a crematory operator, I again accepted. I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have gotten. I love how things worked out. I feel like working and serving our families is a wonderful extension of my ministry.

As for my education, I am a 2004 graduate of GlenOak High School in Canton, Ohio. In 2016 after a two-year program, I became an Ordained Minister in the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee. 2017, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from Lee University. I earned my Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership from Lee University in 2024. Also in 2024 I became an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Outside of work and ministry, I am married to my high school sweetheart Coleen, and we have 2 children. I enjoy, fishing, boating, cooking, and hiking. 

I was raised just north of Columbus as the youngest of 3 girls. I graduated from Linworth Alternative Program in 2018.

I attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. During my time there I was a member of the Marching Salukis and a 3 year standing Vice President of Sigma Phi Sigma, the mortuary science fraternity.  I graduated in 2022 with my Bachelors of Mortuary Science. I moved back home and started my apprenticeship. I then moved to Cuyahoga Falls in August 2023, earning my Funeral Director license in September 2023. I like to spend my free time crafting, painting, baking and watching movies. Most importantly I love to spoil my black cat and companion, Toothless.

I have been the administrative assistant here at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home for 18 years and have so loved helping our families with all the details of their services.

I love being married for 47 years to Gary, we try to live life to the fullest every day, and we are " owned" by "Fergus", our West Highland Terrier.

We are members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, local chapter Righteous Riders in Akron. I’m a “Harley” girl at heart, and also in my spare time love to knit, read, organize, and love to have fun with friends and family.