Walter J. Sperling, Jr.
Funeral Director / Millvale Location Supervisor
Walt never knew anything in life except a call to serve families. He inherited his compassion from his parents, with both his mother and father being licensed funeral directors. He grew and continued to provide for families the highest level of service possible. Walt is a life- long resident of the Pittsburgh area, and has resided in McCandless for the past 30 years. He is married to Donna Claire Dorsch and has three children- Walter III, Desiree and Jarett. Walt enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with his six grandchildren. He is a member of Saint Alexis Parish and belongs to the Knights of Columbus #4029, the Elks, Northern Allegheny Lions Club, and is also a life member of the Teutonia Mannerchor. Walt is a graduate of West View High School, the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Sciences, and also attended Saint Vincent College.
Donna C. Sperling
Donna Claire began helping her husband Walt in the business upon their marriage. Living above the funeral home on the North Side kept her very busy. Growing up on Spring Hill, Donna did not mind the action and has helped with the business for over 49 years. She was often the voice who answered the phone for families in need, as well as the woman who greeted the families at the door with a smile. Donna graduated from B.T.C., now Point Park University. Donna also enjoys cooking and baking, but her passion is in gardening, painting, and her new hobby- quilting. Her artwork is part of the permanent collection in the Smithsonian Institute. Perhaps her most proud moment was having her art displayed in the White House during Christmas and meeting First Lady Laura Bush. Donna loves having her grandchildren to the house for sleepovers and afternoons in the pool. She is also a member at Saint Alexis Parish and belongs to the Decorative Art Society.
Janet Notaro Sperling
Funeral Director & Bereavement Support Specialist
Like her brother Walt, Janet grew up around the funeral business. Although a licensed funeral director, she took time to raise her four children- John, Shelly, Charles, and Troy. She would always work when needed, and helped at the funeral home when it was busy. When her husband John died in the 1980’s, she experienced first-hand what a profound effect grief can have, and began working full time in the funeral home. She focused on helping families during and after the funeral. At this time, Janet also began partnering with the former THEOS organization, which helps the bereaved. Today she facilitates the bereavement support program at St. Alexis Parish, where she is also a member. Janet helps at visitation, and is always willing to lend a compassionate ear to a person in need of support. She enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren and visiting her family in Florida. She resides in the Town of McCandless, and attended Mercyhurst College and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Sciences.
Jarett D. Sperling M.S.Ed.
LPC Funeral Director / Licensed Professional Counselor
Jay has worked in the family business since the age of sixteen. Having grown up in McCandless, he now resides in Pine Township with his wife Stephanie and their three children- Noah, Kinsey, and Gretchen. After attending the University of Pittsburgh and obtaining a degree in Psychology, Jay went to the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Sciences to become a funeral director. While working as a funeral director, Jay experienced firsthand the impact that crisis and grief has on families. He continued his education at Duquesne University; receiving a Master’s degree in Community Counseling, as well as becoming a licensed professional counselor. With this education and his experience as a volunteer at The Caring Place, Jay started a bereavement support program entitled “Living Through Grief”. This program now works in partnership with several local non-profit organizations, including North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center, Good Grief Center, and Forbes Hospice, to provide bereavement support throughout the Pittsburgh Area. Jay loves watching his children grow, helping at school events, and coaching sports teams. His family belongs to Saint Richard Parish and he is a member of Knights of Columbus #4029, Teutonia Mannerchor and Kiwanis. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, going to the Steelers’ games, and supporting all the Pittsburgh sports teams.
Stephanie A. Sperling
M.S. Ed Counselor / Bereavement Support Specialist
Stephanie grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. She attended the University of Pittsburgh and received her degree in Psychology. When Stephanie met Jay in college, she had no idea of what is involved in funeral service. Volunteering at The Caring Place, she wanted to be able to help families on a different level. She attended Duquesne University where she received her Master’s degree in School Psychology, then went on to obtain a certificate in Elementary School Counseling. Focusing on the needs of grieving children, Stephanie has played a pivotal part in the opening of the Wexford facility helping with design, color, and the integration of our children’s playroom. She loves being a mother and helping to shape the minds of her three children. Stephanie loves to bake, garden, and also helped Jay build their house in Pine Township. She also enjoys going the Steelers’ games, and is an active volunteer at her children’s schools.
Roseann Lanyon
Grief Specialist
For as long as she can remember, Roseann has had a committed interest in how others think, feel, and interact with the world around them. Believing that each of us has a story to tell, and each of us appreciates a perceptive listener, Roseann is dedicated to encouraging others to tell so she can listen. Given this focus, it was natural for her to choose the professional worlds of counseling, teaching, and consulting. Roseann provides service primarily to those who are at significant and often complex transition points in their lives, and she is fortunate to have worked with persons at various stages in the life spectrum—adolescents, college students, those in mid-life, and the elderly. Additionally, she has walked the path of grief and knows, firsthand, of its perplexing, transforming, and ongoing nature. Roseann grew up in neighboring Westmoreland County , so she thought she knew Western Pennsylvania and its ways. Not until she moved to the Pittsburgh area several years ago did she realize how much there is yet to learn, especially about driving; for example, that some streets end in steps, and Babcock Boulevard goes everywhere! Someday she hopes to learn all of these intricacies. In the meantime, reading (she has books everywhere), volunteering at UPMC Passavant, baking, exercising, and caring for her elderly parents add the grace notes to her life.
Emily Hendrickson
Attendant / Student
Emily Hendrickson is from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is the youngest of three very talented children. Emily attended ballet school in New York, like her older sister and brother. After watching her siblings go on to have successful- but demanding- careers in performing arts, Emily decided that wasn’t the life she wanted. So she chose to break the pattern and pursue a calling to become a funeral director. That is what brought Emily to Pittsburgh. She currently attends the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Sciences, where she is on the Dean’s List. She is excited to be working at Sperling Family Funeral Homes, where she can put the academic theories she learns in school to practical work. When she has a spare moment between working and studying hard, Emily enjoys several activities. Emily spends time gardening, painting, and spending time with the new friends she has made in Pittsburgh. After mortuary school Emily plans to further her education at Point Park University. Her parents, Phyllis and Gary, are very proud of her and have expressed a profound interest in the funeral business due to Emily’s enthusiasm about the industry. Along with her family, Emily is enthusiastic to be on the path to her new career as a funeral director.
Frank Witsch
Attendant / Driver
Frank has known the Sperling family for most of his life. A resident of Spring Hill, he lived just a few doors down from Donna and her family. He is also a distant cousin of Walt’s family. Along with driving the funeral coach, Frank also helps with funeral services and during viewing hours.
