Get To Know Our Caring Team
Our team of dedicated professionals approaches their work with sincerity, respect, and a deep sense of responsibility. We understand that we are
entrusted with one of the most significant moments in a family’s life, and we strive to ease the burden during an incredibly difficult time.
Just as important, we are committed to creating services that truly reflect the individual being honored — their story, their personality, and the life they lived.
We firmly believe there is no such thing as a “typical” funeral. Every life is unique, and every service should be thoughtfully designed to reflect that individuality.
When you come to the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, we take the time to get to know you and your family — to listen, to understand, and to guide you with care. And in return, we believe you should know a little about us as well.
James quite literally grew up in funeral service. From the time he was five years old, he helped his parents around the funeral home, learning every aspect of the profession. At a young age, he knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and continue the family’s legacy of service.
James is a 2004 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a 2011 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. After completing his internship, he joined his father at the family funeral home, becoming the second-generation funeral director. In June 2019, James became the owner of the funeral home, continuing the commitment to compassionate, personalized service that has defined the Humphrey name.
He and his wife, the former Heather M. Pavelko, reside in Pottsville with their two children, Lillian A. Humphrey and Hayden P. Humphrey.
James remains actively involved in both his church and community. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he serves as an usher and lector and is a member of the property committee. He is also a member and Past President of the Pottsville Business Association (currently serving as Vice President), a member of the Pottsville Area Development Corporation, and a member and Past President (2014–2015) of the Pottsville Lions Club.
Professionally, James is involved with the Lebanon/Schuylkill Funeral Directors Association, where he served as President from 2016–2018, as well as the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association. He is also a social member of the Robert E. Baker American Legion Post 38 and an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #65.
Through his leadership, James continues to uphold the family tradition of integrity, compassion, and dedicated service to the families of Pottsville and the surrounding communities.
Linda is a lifelong resident of Pottsville and is the widow of founder James E. Her smiling face and caring disposition always makes both staff and families feel at ease the moment they walk through the door. When you call our funeral home, Linda will most likely answer the phone with a friendly voice and an offer of any assistance. She graduated from of Pottsville Area High School in 1973. Linda has two sons, James B. and Todd J. , and 2 grandchildren, Lily and Hayden. She is a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, where she serves as Eucharistic minister, a member and past President of Pottsville Business and Professional Women, Schuylkill Health Auxiliary where she served as President, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Service Circle of King Daughters where she serves as President, a board member and vice-president of the Friends of the Pottsville Free Public Library and Schuylkill County Society for Pediatric Orthopedics.
Heather is a lifelong resident of Pottsville and the wife of funeral home owner, James B. Humphrey. Together, they are the proud parents of two children, Lillian A. Humphrey and Hayden P. Humphrey.
She is a 2005 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania State University. Heather is currently employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Active in both church and community, Heather is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville and an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #65. She is also involved with the John S. Clarke Elementary Center PTO, where she serves as Recording Secretary.
You will often see Heather welcoming families at the door during evening viewings and weekend services — offering a warm smile and helping ensure every family feels supported and comfortable.
Roy is a native of Pottsville and a 1970 graduate of Nativity BVM High School. He is a retired Captain of the Pottsville Police Department and also served as a fingerprint technician at Central Booking for the Schuylkill County Courthouse.
Roy resides in Orwigsburg with his wife, the former Mary Murphy. He is a member of Pulaski Lodge #216 F&AM, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #44, and serves on the Union Cemetery Board of Trustees. He was also a charter member of the Great Pottsville Cruise.
Roy has been part of our funeral home family since January 2008. You will often find him assisting families and friends as they arrive at the funeral home or church — offering a steady presence, warm greeting, and helping ensure everything runs smoothly.
Ed is a native of Hegins and currently resides in Pottsville with his wife, the former Mary Schlitzer, sister of well-known, former Pottsville funeral director Bill Schlitzer.
He is a graduate of Tri-Valley High School and continued his education at Millersville University, Kutztown University, and Temple University. Ed proudly served in the United States Army Reserves until 1976.
Ed dedicated 39 years to the Pottsville Area School District, retiring in 2009 as Principal of D.H.H. Lengel Middle School. His decades of leadership and commitment to education reflect the same dedication and steady presence he brings to our funeral home.
He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he previously served as Vice President of Church Council. Ed is also a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association and has been active as a PIAA official in basketball, baseball, and volleyball. His community involvement includes PA American Legion Baseball, where he served as Vice President of Schuylkill-Berks American Legion Baseball, as well as Pottsville Rotary Baseball, where he also served as Vice President.
Ed has been a tremendous asset to our funeral home since December 2013, offering professionalism, experience, and a caring presence to the families we serve.
Jack is a native of Hershey and currently resides in St. Clair with his wife, the former Ginny Schade. He is a graduate of Hershey High School.
Jack serves as Pastor of the St. Clair–Wade United Methodist Church in St. Clair. His deep passion for caring for others led him into ministry. He pursued his theological education through United Theological Seminary and Wesley Seminary.
In addition to his pastoral work, Jack is retired as the owner and operator of a Pepperidge Farm franchise. He is also an active member of the Pottsville Lions Club.
Jack joined our funeral home family in July 2022. You will often find him assisting families and friends as they arrive at the funeral home or church, offering a warm welcome and compassionate presence.
Lily is the daughter of James and Heather Humphrey, and the granddaughter of Linda and the late Jim Humphrey.
At just 9 years old, Lily is already a bright presence at the funeral home. Her cheerful spirit and warm smile bring comfort not only to our staff, but also to the families we serve. She truly has a way of lighting up a room the moment she walks in.
Hayden is the son of James and Heather Humphrey, and grandson of Linda and the late Jim Humphrey. Hayden is 5 years old and loves helping when he can and putting a suit on.
Gene was a native of Mount Carbon and resided in Orwigsburg with his wife, the former Peggy Prokop. He was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and retired from the Schuylkill Municipal Authority in April 2006.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Mount Carbon Fire Company, Pulaski Lodge #216 F&AM, and Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
Gene’s involvement in funeral service began years ago when he assisted his brother, Ted, at the former Ebling Funeral Home. He officially joined our funeral home in June 2006 and faithfully served families with dedication and compassion until June 2024.
Gene died on December 11, 2024. We remain grateful for his years of service, steady presence, and the kindness he showed to the families and community he cared so deeply about. His memory will always remain a part of our funeral home family.
A Mechanicsville native, Jim began his association in the funeral services at the age of 16. He was a graduate of Pottsville High School, Kilgore College, and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Prior to attending mortuary school Jim served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1969-1972. He received his funeral directors license on December 17, 1975. In February 1987 he and his wife, the former Linda Dimmerling, founded the funeral home that bears his name. Jim was the father of two sons, James B. and Todd J. and two grandchildren Lily and Hayden. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Good Intent Fire Company, Pulaski Lodge 216 F&AM, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #129, Robert E. Baker American Legion, Post #38, Schuylkill Haven., Lebanon/Schuylkill Funeral Directors Association, where he served as secretary-treasurer, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, where he was the only funeral director in Pottsville and Schuylkill County to serve as President, the National Funeral Directors Association. Jim is also an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 65. Jim died on August 16, 2019
Bobby was a longtime resident of Pottsville and a 1973 graduate of Nativity BVM High School. He retired from Pepsi Co. in 1989 and later from the Greater Pottsville Sewer Authority in August 2017.
He was a devoted member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, the Ancient Order of Hibernians JFK Division #2, Good Intent Fire Company, West End Hose Fire Company, and Pulaski Lodge #216 F&AM.
Bobby was the longest-serving attendant of our funeral home, faithfully assisting families in many capacities from February 1987 until August 2018. His steady presence, reliability, and dedication were a constant source of strength for both our staff and the families we served.
He died suddenly on August 8, 2018.
Bobby is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathleen “Kathy” Conway Brennan, of Pottsville; two daughters, Erin Wintrup and her husband Bill, of Bear, Delaware, and Megan Brennan of Pottsville; a son, Robert J. “Bobby” Brennan, Jr., and his wife Jessica, of Pottsville; five grandchildren, Logan, Ava, Mckenna, Ryland, and Callen; two cousins, Kathy Maxwell and Joe Weschules; along with several nieces and nephews.
We remain deeply grateful for Bobby’s decades of service and the commitment he showed to our funeral home family. His memory continues to hold a special place in our hearts.
