Andrew M. Gearhart

Owner

Andrew M. Gearhart is the owner, & licensed funeral director and embalmer, of Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Gearhart-Sauer Funeral Home, & Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, where he has served the Van Wert & Mercer County communities since 2001.

Andy was born and raised in Van Wert and graduated from Van Wert High School in 1994.  After earning a Bachelor's Degree from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, in 1998 he worked in manufacturing while earning an Associates degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  He joined his father, Michael J. Gearhart, in 2001 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory & Gearhart-Sauer Funeral Home.  In July 2017, Andy and Sean Sauer, purchased the Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio from Marcia N. Ripley.

Andy continually volunteers and supports his community as a member of the Van Wert Service Club, the Crime Stoppers of Van Wert County Board of Directors, the Knights of Columbus, the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the Van Wert High School Athletic Department.

Andy is married to Niki, who is also a licensed funeral director.  Together they have two daughters, Alexa and Sophie.  They are all very active members of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.  Andy enjoys working with his family on their small farm, following his daughters athletic events, and supporting the New York Yankees, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Telephone: 1-419-238-1112

Email: 

Sean Sauer

Owner-President/Funeral Director/Embalmer

Sean M. Sauer is the President, Funeral Director and Embalmer at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Gearhart – Sauer Funeral Home and Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, where he works to serve the local communities by offering his expertise in personalized at-need and pre-need funeral and cremation services, as well as his skills as an embalmer and restorative artist.

Coming to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in 2015, Sean brings with him a fresh outlook on funeral service for the Van Wert, Convoy and Rockford communities. The funeral homes have seen updated merchandising and product offerings, more ways to personalize services as well as updates to the facilities and grounds.    

With 25 years of experience, Sean worked for and managed several funeral homes of various sizes in both large and small communities before coming to Van Wert. He holds the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. This certification distinguishes Sean among his peers within the funeral service profession as he voluntarily continues his education to exceed the highest standards of care that far surpass what the funeral service licensing board in Ohio requires. Sean has committed to a program of lifelong learning to serve his community with the level of excellence expected of a CFSP.

A graduate from Ohio University and Miami-Dade College School of Funeral Science, Sean holds degrees in Funeral Science and Technical Applied Studies. Sean is a member of Van Wert Optimist Club, a 4^th degree Knight of Columbus and is active in the Ohio Funeral Directors Association. He is married to the love of his life, Heather. Together they have triplets, Hadley, Holden and Hudson. They are members of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. 

When not hard at work, Sean enjoys traveling, home improvement projects and planning for the next big adventure with the wife and kids.  

Telephone: 1-419-238-1112

Email: 

Marcia N. Ripley

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Marcia is the Fifth Generation of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, of the Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home. She is the daughter of late Carl and Lucille Ripley. After graduating from The University of Cincinnati, with a degree in Psychology, she entered Mortuary College, and received her licenses as an embalmer and a Funeral Director, in 1975. After her parents passed away, Marcia was responsible for both businesses. On June 30, 2005 the Ketcham’s Furniture & Floor Coverings Business was closed. Today, Marcia continues the family tradition at the Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, at 111 West First Street, next to the Ketcham home. Marcia has a daughter, Devon Stansbury.

Telephone: 1-419-363-3981

Email: 

Paiten Dulaney

Funeral Director/Embalmer Apprentice

Paiten Dulaney is currently an Apprentice at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home and Crematory, Gearhart – Sauer Funeral Home and Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, where she serves the community with a gentle hand and heart. 

Paiten graduated from Pandora-Gilboa High School in 2017 before attending James. A Rhodes State College in Lima, Ohio. She obtained a bachelor's degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in December of 2020 where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. In addition to being an apprentice, she is also a Certified Funeral Service Celebrant and Certified Crematory Operator. 

Paiten currently resides in Columbus Grove, Ohio with her fiance Jesse and four fur children: Mousse, Athena, Stormy, and Blink. She enjoys spending time with Jesse and “the kids”, walking through local nature trails, cooking for her friends and family, attending concerts, and thrift shopping with her mom and sister.

Steve Alspaugh

Support Staff

Stuart Wyatt

Support Staff

Dane Gross

Support Staff

Michelle Agler

Support Staff