Our Staff

Brian Leffler

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant

Brian is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School. He studied at Northampton Community College, where he obtained an associate’s degree in Applied Science and Certificate of Mortuary Education. He then served his internship with Heffner Family Service, at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home in Pottsville, PA. In 1996 he became a licensed funeral director, working exclusively at this location. In 1997, He began working at the two Kniffen O’Malley locations in the Wilkes-Barre area. Over the next few years, Mr. Leffler first accepted the position of general manager/ funeral director of the Kniffen O’Malley locations and several other locations. In January 2004 the title of Regional Manager, overseeing nine locations. 

He was now in charge of the overall success of Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home in Pottsville, PA, Vickery Funeral Home in Troy, PA, Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Homes in both Avoca and Wilkes-Barre, PA and Robert’s Funeral Home in Wellsburg, NY. On August 16, 2013 Mr. Leffler proudly announced his acquisition and ownership of these fine businesses. 

Brian and his wife Victoria are blessed with two children, Gage and Sloane. Brian is a member of the Queen of the Apostles Parish, Avoca, Avoca Hose Company #1, and serves as an Assistant Coach for Duryea tee ball and coach pitch leagues. 

The entire Leffler family would like to say how proud they are to be able to continue the legacy of providing the best funeral and cremation services to these locations and the surrounding communities.

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Albert Breznik, Jr.

Licensed Funeral Director/Supervisor

Albert was born and raised in Ringtown and is a graduate of the North Schuylkill High School.  He attended Penn State university and the former Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse, NY.  He was also appointed a deputy coroner in Schuylkill County in 1991, serving until 2015.  His affiliation with and eventual purchase of the former Edward W. Stauffer Funeral Home in Ringtown has been the basis  of his lifelong funeral service career beginning in 1992.  

Serving the Ringtown community over the years as a council member and Mayor of the borough, Albert is also a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Greek Ukrainian Catholic Church in Shenandoah, where he served as a former trustee and current financial counsel committee member.  He belongs to the Ashland Lodge, and the Valley of Bloomsburg, Caldwell Consistory, as well as the BPOE, Mahanoy City Lodge. 

Albert is pleased to announce the acquisition of his funeral home by Leffler Family Services and looks forward to working with with the highly talented and professional staff of the Tributes of Life Team, as this will ensure the continuance of the business he has worked tirelessly to build over the years.

He and his wife, Brenda, a dental hygienist for Tri-Valley Dental in Hegins, live in Ringtown and are planning to enjoy many adventures traveling as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Albert will continue to serve families at the Stauffer- Breznik funeral home with dignity and respect and looks forward to welcoming and working with his new associates. 

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Shawn E. Carper

Pre-Need Counselor / Pre-Arrangement Specialist

Shawn has been involved in death care for 30 years and licensed for 28 years.  For the last 26 years he has been specializing in helping families throughout Pennsylvania, specifically those who trust in the Tributes of Life Family of funeral homes, plan their end of life celebrations. He finds that helping families ease the burdens of making tough decisions at the time of  loss to be very rewarding.  Shawn is an expert in helping families navigating through the financial process of funding their final arrangements as well. 

Shawn was born in Roaring Spring, Blair County, and now resides in Middletown, with his wife, Patricia, 2 daughters, Lillian and Vivian, 2 dogs, Lila and Owie and his cat, Pinwheel.  When he is not working, he enjoys traveling, skiing, hiking and cooking. 

Stanley Piaskowski

Non-Licensed Funeral Assistant

Stanley joined the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home in 2018, after his retirement from the former Hazleton General Hospital.  Born and raised in neighboring Shenandoah, Stanley is married to the former Marie Ambrose, and has spent the majority of his life in the Ringtown Valley.  An active member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Ringtown, Stanley is also a semi-professional musician, master of many musical instruments, and has the distinction of being one of the few talented accordion players in the area.

Clare Umbenhaur

Non-Licensed Funeral Attendant

Clare is a Schuylkill county native, growing up in Orwigsburg. She now resides in Deer Lake with her daughter Roslyn, black cat Binx, and rescue dog Grim.

A Blue Mountain graduate who traveled after school, spending years in both North Carolina and California. She's a lover of the beach, music, and art. Clare also enjoys downhill skiing, reading, and is a skilled equestrian.

As the head of community outreach at our Pottsville location, she also assists our funeral directors in both Pottsville and Ringtown.  Clare looks forward to getting to know the community on a deeper level and helping those in need.