Jerry and Pamela Sowers: Owners of Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home

JERRY, a graduate of Greenville High School attended Wright State University and graduated and received his degree in mortuary science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1973. He has been an Ohio-Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1974. Jerry is an active member of The Family of Grace Methodist Church. In the church he serves as a member of the Lead Team, visitation follow-up committee, new building committee and the Praise Team. He is a past president of the Piqua Association of Churches, and formerly served as treasurer. He served on the Piqua Prayer Breakfast Committee for over 10 years. Jerry has been serving on the council for Pastoral Education and Development at Upper Valley Medical Center. He's a member of the Piqua Kiwanis Club in which he served as President in 1991 and 2000. Jerry was recognized as Distinguished President each year and was the club's only president who has served two terms. He received Kiwanian of the year in 1992, which is the club's highest honor. Jerry is active in many other civic and religious organizations in the community. He is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Assn.; he has served on the Professional Education Committee and the OSHA Committee. He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Selected Independent Funeral Homes and a charter member of the Funeral Ethics Association. In 2003, Jerry received his certification as Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

PAMELA graduated from Greenville High School. She is the founder and coordinator of the funeral home's Aftercare Program. Her current role with the funeral home is Grief Recovery Facilitator. Pam has had extensive training in grief and bereavement to help serve the families of the funeral home. Pam follows up with every family served for the first year after a loss. She does this with in home visits, phone calls and acknowledging birthdays and anniversaries at times when families may need a helping hand. As well as serving in the above capacities, she plays the organ for funeral services when requested. Pam is an active member of the Family of Grace Methodist Church. She is a member of the Grace Church Worship Team in which she plays the keyboard for the church services. She is also active in a Small Group. Jerry and Pam were married July 29, 1972 and have 1 son and daughter-in-law: Brian and Laura (Freisthler) Sowers, and 1 daughter and son-in-law: Angela and Heath Finfrock. They have 6 granddaughters: Alexis, Ashley, Katrina, Chaia, Brieanna and Haley, and 1 grandson: Jarin. Pam’s favorite pastime is spending time with her grandchildren. They keep her busy and she loves it.

Brian A. Sowers has been a Piqua native since the age of one. He graduated from Lehman High School in 1995. Brian graduated from Edison State Community College with an associate degree in Business Administration in 1997. He furthered his studies in mortuary science and graduated in 1998 from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and received his bachelor's degree in Mortuary Science.

Brian is an active member of the Family of Grace Methodist Church. In the church, he serves on the worship team as the drummer, plays for the softball team, and he is very active in the children's program. He is a member of the Piqua Kiwanis club in which he served as a board member for six years, and is a past president of the club. Also in Kiwanis, he serves as co-chair of youth services for Builders Club (Jr. High) and Key Club (High School). Brian is also a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association and the Ohio Funeral Directors Association. He serves on the Young Funeral Directors and the Member’s Services Committee of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association. In 2005, Brian received his certification as Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

On May 4, 1996 Brian married Laura A. (Freisthler). They have four beautiful daughters, Alexis, Ashley, Katrina and Chaia Sowers, and 1 son, Jarin.

“Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Loverna speaking.”
This message is the first assurance to our callers that someone is here to help to answer a question, solve a problem, provide directions, share information, direct a request, or simply offer a receptive ear. The pleasant voice behind this message every day is that of Loverna Dilbone, Office Manager at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home.

Loverna joined the Melcher-Sowers family in January of 2003, and has enjoyed her role ever since. In addition to the office work, Loverna assists the Funeral Directors in any way needed. She tries to make each family feel as welcome as possible.

In 1973, Loverna married Mitchell Dilbone, Sidney, OH. They have four children, Dan & Monica Turner, New Palestine, IN, Bill & Michelle Everett, Sidney, OH, Chad and Jennifer Stratton, Kokomo, IN, and David & Summer Dilbone, Troy, OH. She also has ten wonderful grandchildren that she loves to spoil. Loverna is an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Piqua, Ohio. She loves to travel, read, do counted cross-stitch, theatre and spending time with her family and friends.

"I look at my job as an outreach," Loverna explained, "It's an opportunity for me to help families and make sure everything goes smoothly for them." It is a new and challenging environment for her, but it's a challenge she enjoys.

Wanda Wahl was born and raised in Brookville, OH. She graduated from Brookville High School and after graduation worked as an administrative assistant at NCR in Dayton. While there, a friend introduced her to Frank Wahl, her husband of 37 years. In June, 1982, Wanda decided to get back into the work force and started a career in insurance which lasted 23 years. Wanda later heard of an opportunity to help families in a very different way, as our Family Service Advisor. She enjoys meeting with our families in pre-arranging their own individualized services. She also helps our families after they have lost a loved one. Wanda and Frank reside east of Troy, OH. They love to travel and have experienced many wonderful trips. They enjoyed raising two sons together, Scott and Sean and are now “Nini and Poppy” to four beautiful grand-daughters: Elizabeth, Rebekah, Caroline and Hannah. Wanda is a great asset to our company. She lends an ear and helps answer any questions family members may have during these difficult times. She always has a smile and kind word for everyone.

Standing Left to Right: Pam Sowers, Loverna Dilbone, Wanda Wahl
Seated Left to Right: Jerry Sowers, Brian Sowers