Staff

Staff members of Handler Funeral Home are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors.

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John R. Barnhart Owner - Manager
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Nicholas Handler, Jr. In Memory
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Becky Hamilton Office Manager
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Ron Publiski Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Jan Wegner Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Carolyn Publiski Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Nancy Findley Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Jerry Pape Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Mark Spohr Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Gary Fairbanks Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Delores Simpson Funeral Director Assistant & Greeter

John R. Barnhart

Owner - Manager
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Nicholas Handler, Jr.

In Memory
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I became interested in funeral service when my brother Mike died when he was 16 and I was 12. I remember (vividly) how Mr. Allore (the funeral director) took care of everything for my parents as they were quite upset. Mike’s death was very unexpected. He saw to it that things were done, in place and that my parents only had to care for themselves, us kids and greet friends who would be visiting over the next few days. Being age 12, I was very confused. How could my brother be dead? He was fine yesterday. Back then 12 years old didn’t know all that kids do now. This was the first time someone (very) close to me had died. I wondered why he was so hard, so cold and yet he looked perfect. Did he get up at night when we left? Will he be able to breathe in there when we close the lid? Are his legs there? Mr. Allore explained things to me and took the time to care. After that experience, the whole funeral and all, I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up and never wavered from that. It was and still is a passion of mine to help, guide and support people during this very difficult time. I have been involved with funeral service since I was 18. I began working at that same funeral home as a car washer and grounds guy. I began school and served my apprenticeship under Mr. Allore. I worked there before going to Milan to work for the Ochaleks and Gary Couture in 1993. In 1997 I became part owner of Couture-Handler Funeral Homes. Gary and I were partners until I became sole owner in April of 2006. God has truly blessed me in so many ways. I own a funeral home which has been a dream of mine since age 12. I have a wonderful family in Monroe and my parents did get to see me become a part owner before they died. I have the best staff, or I should say extended family to help me do what I love doing and a wonderful community to live in and be part of. Yes, I am blessed. I am able to do what I love, with those I love in a community full of people I love. If this passion of mine ever becomes a job, it will be time for me to bow out. I don’t have to be the biggest or the cheapest….. I just have to be the best I can be.

Becky Hamilton

Office Manager
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Ron Publiski

Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Ron has been a Tecumseh resident for over 35 years. He retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years of service and has been working for the funeral homes since June 2001. In addition to the funeral home, Ron works as a Pulmonary Technician and is also certified in audio testing and CPR Instruction. Ron’s caring nature and warm smile make him a great asset to Handler Funeral Homes. He and his wife of 16 years, Carolyn, have five grown children and five grandchildren. Ron has traveled to Kenya on three different occasions to assist with water well digging missions.

Jan Wegner

Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Jan is a lifelong resident of Clinton where she and her husband, Mark, have been married for over 40 years. They have two children Nick and Nichole and one grandson David. Jan has worked for the Saline Police Department and for Handler Funeral Home since 2004, which she thoroughly enjoys. She is involved in the Clinton Community, including the Lenawee County Relay for Life, Clinton Blood Drives and the Clinton Fall Festival. Jan is also a member of the Northridge Church in Saline.

Carolyn Publiski

Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Carolyn has lived in Tecumseh since she was 4 years old. She retired from Boysville and prior to that had worked as a legal secretary for 13 years. She loves living in Tecumseh and watching its continued growth. She enjoys helping out at the funeral home and families during this difficult time. She has been able to comfort many of her childhood friends and families.

Nancy Findley

Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Jerry Pape

Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Mark Spohr

Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Gary Fairbanks

Funeral Director's Assistant & Greeter
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Delores Simpson

Funeral Director Assistant & Greeter
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