Staff

Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.

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Frank Lewis Owner
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Frankie Bennett Funeral Director & Embalmer
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Rebbecca Sule Funeral Director & Embalmer
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Lindsay Fickert Office Manager
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Allan Branstiter Associate
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Barb Branstiter Associate
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Jan Murphy Associate
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Matt Vanscoy Associate
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Lowell Stevens Associate
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Shirley Leopard Associate
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Jack Couts Associate
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Michelle Stowe Associate
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Roger Stillings Associate
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Charles Pendleton Associate

Frank Lewis

Owner
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I have been in the funeral industry since 1993 and am responsible for the overall direction and operations of the funeral home.

I have been actively involved in Big Brothers since 1996, Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board Nehemiah Foundation, Founder of the Senior Dream Center, Champaign County Council for Aging, Advisory Board of Forest Glen Health Campus, Urbana Lions Club, Board of Directors Salvation Army, CYO Basketball coach at Holy Spirit Geist Church, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, World Vision Family Sponsor, Advisory Board of Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, OFDA Member and ICFA Member.

I spend a majority of my free time outside of work with wife Shelley, son Zach (13 years old) and daughter Libby (8 years old).

" I love what I do and because of this I made the decision to acquire these funeral homes in 2007. Our sole purpose is to serve you, our customer. We are improving our service every day. Building our reputation and not resting on it. Stop by and see what makes us the best funeral service provider in Urbana. We also welcome your comments or suggestions on how we can continue to improve our service to you. Continuous improvement is critical to excellent service."

Frankie Bennett

Funeral Director & Embalmer
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Frankie Bennett was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. A 2002 graduate of Clark Shawnee High School, attended Clark State Community College and completed her Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2006. She served her apprenticeship in Dayton, Ohio before returning to Springfield to join our staff in August 2007. She spends most of her free time with her husband, Jason and their pets.

"I am passionate about serving families and devoted to exceeding their expectations. To be able to provide a family with peace of mind in their most difficult times is something I take great pride in and am honored to have the opportunity to help them. We as funeral directors do more than just organize a meaningful service, we provide a source of comfort when a family needs it the most"

Rebbecca Sule

Funeral Director & Embalmer
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Rebbecca Hamilton graduated with her Bachelor's of Mortuary Science degree at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2007. She served her apprenticeship in Dayton, Ohio and served as a Funeral Director and Embalmer at a funeral home in Miamisburg before joining the staff here in 2011. She enjoys spending time with her family on the farm, being with her daughter, son and two dogs, and being outdoors whenever possible.

"Being a funeral director is what I always wanted to do. The privilege of serving families and making a difference by providing an opportunity for them to celebrate the life a loved one the way they want to is my calling. We also create a comfortable environment to start the healing process and this is a critical part of what I do."

 

Lindsay Fickert

Office Manager
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Lindsay Fickert, Office Manager, has over 15 years of customer service experience ranging from a Local Community Bank Teller to a Licensed Insurance Producer.  Lindsay is responsible for operation of the office and clerical detail.  She is the mother of an adorable toddler, Harrison, who keeps her on her toes.

“I always aim to smile big and work hard. I take pride in making this office here at Walter & Lewis run smoothly. I enjoy interacting with and aiding my fellow co-workers as well as being able to assist the families of the community in any way possible.”

Allan Branstiter

Associate
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Allan is a 1965 graduate of Urbana High School.  After high school he served an apprenticeship at Urbana Tool and Die where he worked as a precision carbide grinder. He joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP) in 1972 graduating from the 95th Academy Class. He was stationed at the Eaton Highway Patrol Post till 1987 when he was promoted and reassigned to the Bellefontaine Highway Patrol Post which later became the Marysville Highway Patrol Post. He retired from the OSP in 1997. He worked for several years then in commercial and residential construction. His hobbies have included woodworking and golf. He and his wife Barbara have two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Barb Branstiter

Associate
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Barbara Branstiter is a 1965 graduate of Urbana High School. She attended Kent State University and graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in physical therapy. She practiced throughout West Central Ohio in many settings and owned her own physical therapy consulting company. After earning a Master in Education degree from Urbana University, Barbara taught in the Physical Therapist Assistant programs at Clark State Community College and Sinclair Community College. Barbara and Allan were married in 1971 and have two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Among her hobbies are sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting. She has been affiliated with Walter & Lewis for about three years and truly enjoys being able to serve the families in any way possible.

Jan Murphy

Associate
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Matt Vanscoy

Associate
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Matt has been with the funeral home since the early 2000s and provides support in a variety of capacities. A 1975 graduate of Urbana High School, Matt proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1977 – 1999 at which time he retired as a Sergeant First Class, and retired again in 2017 from the Champaign Transit System. He is also a member of the American Legion Pearce-Kerns Post 120.

Matt and his wife, Shanna (Voke) were married in 1979 and have two grown children, Andrew and Allison, who have special needs. When not working or busy helping to care for his children’s needs, Matt also enjoys doing machine embroidery and spending time with his Miniature Dachshund, Hershey.

“I take great pride, and privilege, in being able to serve our community, and hope to do so for many more years.”

Lowell Stevens

Associate
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Lowell graduated from Urbana Local High School in 1957.  He marrid Julia Yoder in 1963.  Julia passed away in 2020.  They have two daughters  Molly and Margaret.  Six grandchildren and 4 step grandchlldren.  

Lowell worked for Noba/Genex for 45 years and helped his father on the farm.  In 1980 Lowell and Julia bought a herd of registered Jerseys and showed their cows at county, district state and national shows.  

Lowell was ery involvd in the Jersey Association.  He served as chairman of the youth committee of The American Jersey Association and served 2 terms as President of the Ohio Jersey Association.  Later Julia served 17 years as bosr secretary and treasurer.  

In 2021 Lowell was awarded the Meritorious Service Award from The American Jersey Cattle Association.

Lowell served 6 years in the Air National Guard, 24 years as 4H advisor, member of the American Jersey Association, Ohio Jersey Association, Ohio Purebred Cattle, National Dairy Shrine and First Presbyterian Church.

Shirley Leopard

Associate
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Shirley was born and raised in Springfield, OH.  Graduated from Springfield South High School. She is  married to Robert Leopard, who was born and raised in Urbana and retired from International Harvester/Navistar.

Shirley worked for 10 years at Ohio Bell Telephone Company in Springfield and then chose to be a stay at home mom raising 3 boys and now has 4 grandchildren.  She later worked for Citizens Bank in Urbana & retired from Champaign County Title Dept. 

In retirement, she has worked part-time as a secretary for Messiah Lutheran Church and clerked auctions for her son’s auction business, Aaron Brown Auctions.

Shirley has been a member of Urbana Chapter #530 Order of the Eastern Star for over 30yrs holding many offices including Worthy Matron three times. She enjoys spending time sewing, reading, attending my grandchildren’s activities, going to bowling tournaments with my husband and just spending time with family and friends.  Of course, going on vacation anywhere is high on my list especially to the Smokey Mountains.

"I have always enjoyed being with people and interacting with the public.  Working at Walter Lewis Funeral Home since 2013 is a great fit for me. I am proud to be associated with such good people at a long standing funeral home."

Jack Couts

Associate
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Jack L. Couts was born in Dayton, OH on February 10, 1936 and moved to Urbana in 1940. He graduated from Urbana High School in 1954. He married Viginia Roberts in 1956 and she passed away in 2003. They have four children: Deborah, Daniel, Jennifer and Jeff.

Jack was employed by Olan Mills Inc. for over 20 years, Salem Graphic Supply Co. for over 20 years, HPS Photo Supply for 5 years and has been the owner of J&J Printing Equipment for 14 years. 

He has been on the staff of Walter & Lewis Funeral Home for more than three years and currently resides in Springfield, OH.

Michelle Stowe

Associate
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Michelle has lived in Champaign County since 1977, moving to the area with her husband to start a dental practice. She has been married to Dr. Danny Stowe for 46 years and worked in the practice until they started a family. The Stowes have three grown children, Abigail Scott, Nathan Stowe and Emma Bryson, all graduates of Mechanicsburg High School, and four grandchildren.

Michelle has served as a 4-H advisor of rabbits and llamas and currently is a volunteer at Stowe Baptist Mission in Columbus as a dental assistant.

Roger Stillings

Associate
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     Roger is a great asset to the Walter & Lewis team. He is excellet with families and has a wealth of experience. Roger served six terms as Champaign County Sheriff and was the youngest County Sheriff ever elected in the State of Ohio (age 22). He is a life member of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association and taught law enforcement for five years at the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School, Piqua, Ohio.
     Roger has been married to the former Judy Anderson for 55 years. They have two grown children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
     Roger is a member of the Urbana Free Will Baptist Church and is a church Trustee, a retired 30-Year member of Box 13 Fire Associates, active member of the Champaign County Community Emergency Response Team and active member of the County Health Department Medical Reserve Corp.
 

Charles Pendleton

Associate
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Charles “Pinky” Pendleton is an Urbana native and graduated from Urbana High School in 1954. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wilmington College in 1960 and is a United States Marine Corps veteran.

Pinky is retired from State Farm Insurance and also retired from a number of civic responsibilities.

He has been a part of the caring staff at Walter & Lewis for 12 years.