Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our doors we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.
We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
Connell Funeral Home, Inc. was founded by the late Francis J. Connell, Sr. in 1919. Since then the Connell family has served the needs of the greater Bethlehem area with dedication and distinction. Mr. Connell, Sr. based his efforts on a simple philosophy of true care, concern and compassion for his fellow man. Built on this foundation the Connell name has become synonymous with funerals in the Lehigh Valley.
In the 1940's Mr. Connell was joined by his son, the late Francis J. Connell, Jr. This led to the opening of a second location in 1952. Their practice thrived and grew along with the community, continuing on a steady path of expansion, becoming the most often selected funeral home in the Lehigh Valley.
The 1970's brought the addition of a third generation, Patrick and Eugene Connell. This led to further growth and a continuing increase in service to the families of the community. With an enthusiastic sense of dedication to the ideals of their predecessors, this generation of the Connell family has guided the firm on a steady path into the 21st Century. The facilities have been remodeled and redecorated several times. The professional staff has grown and everything that is required to serve the wishes and needs of those who call upon us is carefully attended to.
The first decade of the 21st century has brought a fourth generation of Connell's to the firm. James M. "Jamie" Connell, Jr. , Matthew P. Connell, and John E. Connell have attained their funeral director licenses and have committed to the future of Connell Funeral Home. The addition of this fourth generation of Connell's has once again renewed our dedication to those we serve.
As much as things have changed over the years one thing has remained the same...the basic philosophy of our founder remains our credo...to serve with a true and sincere care, concern and compassion for our fellow man and to provide service beyond the expected...every step of the way.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.
James Connell
Co-President
James, a.k.a. Jamie, finished the mortuary program at Northampton Area Community College in 2002, attaining his Associate Degree in Funeral Sciences. After completing his internship and passing his boards he became licensed in November of 2003. Jamie is a graduate of Wilkes University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science/Business Administration. He played as a Free Safety for the Wilkes football team prior to being an Assistant Defensive Coach for the University. He also played 2nd base for the Wilkes baseball team. Jamie has volunteered and held positions in local organizations including, The St. Luke's University Health Network VNA Board, Foundation Board of Northampton Community College, St. Anne's School Endowment Board, North Central Little League Board of Directors, Knights of Columbus, and the ArtsQuest Performing Arts Board to name a few. Jamie is married to Angela Connell and they have three boys, Evan, Caden, and James.
Matthew Connell
Co-President
Matt finished the mortuary science program at Northampton Area Community College in 2004, attaining his Associate Degree in Funeral Sciences. And attained his funeral director license in 2005. Matt is also a graduate of Moravian College with a Bachelor Degree in Business Management. Matt has one son, Daniel and one daughter, Samantha. Matt is an avid sports fan, especially the University of Notre Dame.
John E. Connell
Supervisor
John Connell completed the mortuary science program at Northampton County Community College and became a licensed funeral director in 2015. Prior to graduating from Northampton Community College, John graduated from Arcadia University with a degree in History. In 2016, John was inducted into the Arcadia University Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2017 he was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Team. John is currently on the Bethlehem Catholic High School Board of Directors. He and his wife, Mary (Reichard) live in Bethlehem and have two children, Avery and Jack and two rescue dogs, Chase and Kaya.
Scott Raab
Funeral Director
Scott graduated with honors from Northampton Community College Funeral Service Education in 1992 and attained his PA Funeral Director's license in 1993. Scott's focus and responsibility is the sacred, dignified preparation and presentation of the deceased, along with ethical care and service to bereaved families. His main role is an expert embalmer, reconstructive specialist, and talented restorative artist. Scott and his wife, Jodie, reside in Forks Township (Easton), PA.
Jay Mayes
Funeral Director
A licensed funeral director since 1982, Jay has been with Connell Funeral Home since 1994. He graduated with a B.S. degree from East Stroudsburg University in 1979, and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1980. Originally from Lehighton, PA, Jay and his wife Nancy live in the Bethlehem area. Jay enjoys golf, tennis, and traveling.
Andrew J. Stout
Funeral Director
Originally from Berwick, PA, where he began working at a local funeral home in high school, Andy graduated from the Berwick Area Senior High School in 2005, and went on to study at Bloomsburg University, where he graduated in May of 2009 with his Bachelor of Arts in English. He received his Master of Arts in English from West Chester University in 2012, with his research focusing on Composition and Rhetoric and Writing Center Pedagogy.
In May 2012, upon obtaining his graduate degree, Andy moved to New York for a full-time position at Pace University as the Director of the University Writing Center, Associate Director of Composition, Co-Director of Writing Across the Curriculum, and Instructor of Composition & Rhetoric. After a busy and successful four years at Pace, Andy resigned to accept a position in administration at Delaware County Community College (DCCC) in Exton, PA. He remained at DCCC until March 2019, when he accepted a new role as Associate Chair and Composition Coordinator for Middlesex College's English Department.
Andy's time at Middlesex was short, as he was presented with an opportunity, in June 2019, to attend mortuary school at Mercer County Community College in New Jersey. Andy eagerly seized the opportunity, as he still maintained part-time involvement in funeral home work and wanted to transition to a career as a full-time funeral director.
He completed his studies in May 2020, receiving his Certificate of Proficiency in Funeral Service. He sat for--and passed--his National Boards and State Boards in June 2020. After completing a one-year residency with the Mayo Funeral Home, Inc., Berwick, and the Connell Funeral Home, Inc. in Bethlehem, PA, Andy received his funeral director's license in June 2021.
Andy and his husband, Brandon, reside in Coopersburg with their two fur-children, Oliver and Beatrice.
Klarissa Mertz
Funeral Director
Klarissa attained her Associate Degree in funeral service education from Northampton Community College in May of 2020. After completing her internship and passing her state boards, she newly became licensed in August of 2021. An avid gym goer, she believes everyone needs to find something to take their mind off of reality even if it’s just for an hour a day. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, her boyfriend, Jarett and her fur child, Xander. She currently resides in Lehighton.
John DeStasio
Operations Manager
John DeStasio – Director of Operations
John serves as our day to day manager. He makes sure we are properly staffed for all services, that the funeral home has the right vehicles in the right places at the right times, and ensures that everything is in order and running smoothly. John oversees our support staff, which numbers about 15 people, and has been affiliated with Connell Funeral Home for over 20 years as a member of our support staff. He retired after a distinguished career as a Bethlehem Fire Fighter for 29 years, and in 2005 joined us full time in his current capacity. John and his wife Ellie live in Bethlehem and have two children, Greg and Marisa. Greg and his wife, Jen are both teachers in the Bethlehem area School District. Marissa is the assistant softball coach at Monmouth University. John and Ellie have 2 wonderful grandsons, Ethan and Caleb.
Shani Medlar
Financial Manager
Angela Malpedo
Aftercare Specialist & Veteran Affairs Coordinator
Angela was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA. She attended Liberty High School and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree from Temple University. Angela has volunteered her time to many local organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley. When she isn’t working at the funeral home, you will find her baking and creating custom cake and cupcakes. Angela is the owner and operator of Frosted Chaos. She has been in business since 2010. Angela lives in Nazareth with her two dogs Hank & Marty.
Carrie Fryer
Administrative Assistant
Patrick J. Connell
Chairman Emeritus
Pat and his wife Chris (Straub) have three children; Anne, Nick and Matt and four grandchildren. Pat graduated from Notre Dame High School, Green Pond in 1967 and attended St. Francis College in Loretto. He graduated from McAllister Institue of Funeral Service, NYC in 1970 and began his career as a funeral director in 1970 working with his father and grandfather. Pat and Chris have been active members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bethlehem. He has been active in countless community and professional organizations. He is a past president/chairman of Eastern Pa. Funeral Directors Association, Bethlehem Area Boys and Girls Club, Bethlehem Rotary, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, and VNA at St. Luke’s to name a few.
Eugene Connell
Chairman Emeritus
Gene is married to Jan (Pakulski) and has two children, Owen, a funeral director at Connell Funeral Home, and Katie, a Physical Therapist living near Charlotte, NC. Gene graduated from Bethlehem Catholic H.S. in 1971, St. Joseph’s College (Phila.) with a B.A. in Economics in 1975 and Miami Dade Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service in 1976. He has been active in local youth organizations, most notably Northeast Little League and, along with his brother Jim, an attorney in Bethlehem, co-chaired the committee that originated the now well established Bethlehem Catholic High School Endowment Fund.
Jan Connell
Controller
Jan was born in Baltimore, MD. Her father worked for Bethlehem Steel and moved his family from Baltimore to Indiana to Bethlehem over the years. Jan is responsible for the bookkeeping/accounting of the company. She has been very active in the community over the years. She is past president of the former Bethlehem JayCee Wives and the Hanover School PTO. She has given years of dedicated service to Northeast Little League and has served as a Eucharistic Minister and Retreat Team Facilitator at St. Anne's Catholic Church.
Explore Our Location
See where we are located.