OUR STAFF

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.

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 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 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.

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 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 Bethlehem.

Chadd A. Hamman was born and raised in Hellertown. He is a 1997 graduate from the Saucon Valley School District where he was very active in athletics. After finishing high school, he entered the funeral service education program at Northampton Area Community College and graduated in 2000 as Class President. Chadd later returned to Northampton as the adjunct embalming teacher for a few years. He is a Certified Crematory Operator. Chadd coaches baseball for the Hellertown/Lower Saucon Little League. His wife Stephanie M. (Schoch) is a teacher for the Saucon Valley School District which their two children, Ellie and Drew attend as well. They reside in Lower Saucon Township.

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.

Michelle was raised in Hanover Twp. and attended Catasauqua High School. Pursuing a college degree, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

In search of a more fulfilling career, Michelle attended Northampton Community College's Mortuary Science Program, graduating in 2012. Following an internship in Harrisburg and successfully completing her state board testing, she obtained her Funeral Director/Embalmer license in June of 2013. After years of assisting families in all aspects of the death of a loved one, Michelle began to focus on helping folks pre-plan and has found her true calling.

In her free time, Michelle enjoys traveling the world, cooking, walking with her dog named Pickle, and caring for her many varieties of houseplants. She resides in Washington Township with her husband Sean, and their children, Shoshanna, Magnus, Emma, and Harper.

Michael A. Ebeling has been with the Connell Funeral Home as support staff since 2006. In January of 2022 he joined the funeral home full time as a funeral attendant. Michael is a Bethlehem native and graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1999. Michael resides in Bethlehem with his wife, McKenna and their mini schnauzer, Pocahontas. In his free time, Michael enjoys working on his Jeep and loves to spend time outside hiking and attending rock concerts.

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. Marisa is the associate head softball coach at Monmouth University. John and Ellie have 2 wonderful grandsons, Ethan and Caleb.

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 Bethlehem.

Pat and his wife Chris (Straub) have three children; Anne, Nick  and Matt who is Co-President of the funeral home 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.

Gene is married to Jan (Pakulski) and has two children, Owen and Katie. 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 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 was 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.