Richard (Rick) Shoemaker graduated from Blairsville High School in 1965 and Slippery Rock University in 1969. He taught Health, Physical Education, and Driver's Education at Grove City High School for two years. After that, he furthered his education at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he graduated in 1972, becoming a Licensed Funeral Director.

Rick has been the past president and current member of the Westmoreland, Indiana, and Armstrong County Funeral Directors Association for many years as well as a member of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association.

Willa Shoemaker has served the Blairsville community along with her husband, Rick, from the very beginning. She aids in funeral ceremonies and does many things behind the scenes to keep the business running smoothly. Willa has been a great asset to the business since their return in 1972.

Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 13, 2020. 

R. K. Shoemaker graduated from Blairsville High School in 1995 and then completed a postgraduate year at The Kiski School in 1996. From there, R. K. went to Mount Union College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2000. Upon graduation from college, he went on to receive an Associate Degree as an Embalmer and Funeral Director from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2001.

Since 2002, R. K. has been serving the Blairsville community as a Licensed Funeral Director. He is also the current owner and president of the Shoemaker Monument Company, which serves Blairsville, Indiana, Johnstown, and Altoona.

In 2016, R. K. was inducted into the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame and remains dedicated to athletics in the community. He lives in Blairsville with his wife, Meghan, and their four children. R. K. is a member of the Westmoreland, Indiana, and Armstrong County Funeral Directors Association, the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. He is the supervisor of our Indiana branch, Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home. 

In August of 2021, Sam Piper joined our family-owned funeral home as a Licensed Funeral Director. Since September 2019, he has been serving families in the York County area. Sam is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. In addition to being a Licensed Funeral Director, Sam is also a CANA Certified Crematory Operator, Pet Crematory Operator and Counselor, and a Certified Celebrant.

As a certified celebrant, Sam is uniquely trained and able to assist families who are not a member of a church or who simply do not wish to have a religious service. He works directly with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. A celebrant does not take away from a religious service; instead, Sam offers an alternative for someone who isn't a member of a church but still wishes to have a tribute service. 

Sam will meet with you to offer guidance and consultation while planning a personalized and meaningful tribute. A celebrant doesn't do a cookie-cutter service where you take the last person’s name out and insert the new name. A service designed by a celebrant is as personal and unique as the individual and their families are. A celebrant has a wide library of resources for readings, music, and other special ceremonies to help the family design a service that honors the life lived. 

Sam received his training and certification from the In-Sight Institute. Sam is a member of the Westmoreland, Indiana, and Armstrong County Funeral Directors Association as well as the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.

Sam is the manager of our Indiana branch, Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home, and proudly serves families in Indiana. 

Debbie started working at Robinson-Lytle, Inc. in 2005 and has made the transition with us to Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker as our Office Manager. Just as in the past, Debbie handles the day-to-day operations of the office. She takes great pride in working hand-in-hand with families to help create personalized, meaningful, and customized services and products that last a lifetime. 

Debbie is grateful to help your family ease the burden after the death of your loved one with her compassion, understanding, and experience. Debbie and her husband, Steve, live in Clymer. They have three children and two grandsons.

Karen has lived in the Blairsville/Black Lick area her whole life. After managing an equipment sales company for 30 years, Karen came to work for the Shoemaker Monument company in 2018. Karen personally designs custom, one-of-a-kind monuments, helping families pick the right testament and tribute to their loved one. 

Karen also helps with the daily operations of the Blairsville Funeral Home and Pet Crematory. In her spare time, she loves to paint, craft, and travel.

Melissa (Shoemaker) Albright is no stranger to the funeral industry. As the eldest child of Rick and Willa Shoemaker, Melissa has been around the death care industry her entire life.

After a change in her vocation in March 2021, Melissa returned to the funeral home and began working at her family’s business. Melissa’s duties are vast, and she serves in many capacities. She is the head Pet Cremation Coordinator and Counselor, and she also serves as the funeral home's office manager while creating meaningful customized merchandise for families.

Melissa and her husband, Steve, live in the Delmont area, and they have three children. The eldest graduated from Grove City in May of 2022. Her middle child is currently enrolled in Penn State, while the youngest is enrolled in Grove City. Melissa proudly serves the Blairsville community. 

Taryn joined our family-owned funeral home in December 2023 as an Intern Funeral Director. Born and raised in Bedford, PA, Taryn is a 2023 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. 

In addition to being a Licensed Intern Funeral Director, Taryn is also a CANA Certified Crematory Operator, Pet Crematory Operator/Counselor, and Certified Celebrant.

As a certified celebrant, Taryn is uniquely trained and able to assist families who are not a member of a church or who simply do not wish to have a religious service. She works directly with families to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. 

Taryn proudly serves families in both Blairsville and Indiana.