Our staff

Thomas E. Priesman

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

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Tom is also an Ottawa County native, a Catawba Island resident, and a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He is married to the former Kathy Buhrow, and is a graduate of Oak Harbor High School, attended Bowling Green State University, and is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He is a former chairman of the board of trustees of the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, a past member and past president of the Oak Harbor Rotary Club, past president and board member of the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, and was chairman of Oak Harbor’s Apple Festival for many years. He is a member of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the Peninsula Lions Club. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Ottawa County Historical Museum, a member of the Crew’s Nest at Put-in-Bay, Catawba Island Club, Nor’Easter Club, and the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club. Tom is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Elliston, and has been a licensed basketball referee for 39 years.

Kathryn M. Priesman

Owner, Licensed Insurance Agent & Family Service Director

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Kathy (Buhrow) is also an Ottawa County native and a graduate of Oak Harbor High School. She is a licensed Ohio Insurance Agent and is the Family Service Director for our four chapels, heading up both our Advanced Funeral Planning and Aftercare Programs. Kathy is a past board member of the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce and is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Catawba Island Club, Nor’Easter Club, Put-in-Bay Yacht Club, and the Crew’s Nest at Put-in-Bay. She has over 20 years of experience in the banking and investment fields. She is married to Tom Priesman and has three grown children; Josh (Amanda) Dusseau, Shaina Swan and Jared (Brandy) Dusseau. She also has six grandchildren. Kathy and Tom live on Catawba Island and enjoy spending their weekends on the water, with family and friends or traveling.

Christopher L. DeTray

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

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Chris is a native of Ottawa County and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He is a 1992 graduate of Oak Harbor High School, attended Kent State University, and is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He is a member of the South Shore Wrestling Officials Association where he is a licensed Ohio High School wrestling official. For many years Chris has been associated with the wrestling program at Benton-Carroll-Salem schools and is currently the wrestling coach at the Oak Harbor Middle School. He retired from the Mid-County E.M.S. where he earned life-time member status for his over 25 years of service to the community. Chris has been active in the Oak Harbor Lions Club where he has held the offices of treasurer, vice-president, president, and secretary. He also holds membership in the Ohio Embalmers Association. He resides in Oak Harbor and has 3 children: Celia, Lily, and Clifford. He is a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor, where he is a Past Council President, a current Trustee, and member of the Senior Choir. Chris enjoys being active, watching his past wrestling kids and their successes, fishing, camping, and singing.

John D. Crosser

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

John is a second-generation licensed funeral director and embalmer and an Ottawa County native. He is married to the former Maria (Sue) Werner who is a Registered Nurse. A Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, John is a graduate of Oak Harbor High School, attended Ohio Northern University, the University of Toledo, and is a graduate of the former Indiana College of Mortuary Science, Indianapolis, IN. He is a longtime member of the Oak Harbor Public Library Board of Trustees, is a past master of Oak Harbor Lodge #495, F. & A.M., and volunteered over 30 years as an EMT and officer with Mid-County Emergency Medical Service. A member of the board of directors of the Oak Harbor Area Concerned Citizens (Oakwood Manor) and a member and past president of the Oak Harbor Lions Club, he is also a member of the Port Clinton Elks, the Catawba Island Club, and the Ottawa County Historical Society. John and Sue attend St. Paul United Church of Christ, where John is a former organist, and member and past president of the church council.