Our Staff

Stephanie is an honors graduate of Central State University. She has worked in and around the funeral industry since 1989 and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2007. She is passionate about her work and feels honored to be able to serve the families in her community. Stephanie says "this business is more than a career to me; it's a ministry".

Stephanie Strawbridge is very active in her community. She is the elected Central Committee Member in the ward where she resides and an elected Executive Committee member as well. She currently serves as the Board Vice President of the Mt. Pleasant NOW Development Corporation and sits on the Southeast Design Review Committee. She is affiliated with the Embalmers Association of Cleveland, and the Buckeye State Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association. Stephanie is a member of the Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., El Hasa Court No. 47 (DOI-PHA), where she serves as the Imperial Deputy for the Desert of Ohio & Imperial Regional Deputy (Region 3), Bethel Chapter No. 58 Order of the Eastern Star, and still has a lifetime bond with her Kappa Sweetheart sisters from Central State University (Delta Zeta Chapter).

Very recently Stephanie added author to her resume. After spending years wondering how to educate her generation on the ins and outs of funeral planning, her how to workbook was birthed titled, “You’re Gone; Now What?: Everything “They” Didn’t Tell You About Planning a Funeral,” ISBN-13 : 979-8645960889. On April 9, Stephanie also released an eBook entitled, “Intimacy Beyond the Bedroom” which talks about deepening intimacy in your relationships. Both books are available, in addition to branded merchandise & apparel, on funeralpreneur.com.

Mr. William Strawbridge started his career in the funeral industry as a teenager at the House of Wills Funeral Home, under the leadership of Mr. J.W. Wills Sr, and furthered his career from 1999 to 2011 at the Gaines Funeral Home. Upon retirement Mr. Strawbridge joined his family on January 1, 2012 at Strawbridge Memorial Chapel, where he holds the the title of Director of Operations.

Mr. Strawbridge is an active member of the Masonic Order. He is a member of El Hasa Temple # 28 and currently holds the title of Imperial Deputy of Oasis of Cleveland. He is also a member of Zion Chapel M.B.C. under the pastorate of Pastor George O. Stewart.

Rev. Bumgarner is a graduate of the McCreary Center for Religious Studies and is currently pursuing his Masters in Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary. Rev. Bumgarner founded the City of God Baptist Fellowship in 2007 with its inaugural service being held May 20, 2007, and served as its Shepherd for 10 years. Reverend likes to say that he is not the founding Pastor of “The City”, but rather that The City of God Baptist Fellowship birthed him. The church began in the living room of his home before later moving into Collinwood High School.

Rev. Bumgarner has served on boards and championed the needs of God’s people throughout his ministerial journey. He is Prince Hall mason and member of Excelsior Lodge #11, as well as a Shriner. In 2017 was elevated to the 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Through his fraternal affiliations he continues to serve God’s people through the charitable works of the organization.

In October of 2018 Rev. Bumgarner was installed as the Senior Pastor of Christian Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He is a gifted teacher and preacher of the word of God and though many accolades and accomplishments can be laid at his feet, the most important accomplishment of his life is that day that he chose to make JESUS his KING!