Licensed Staff

All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.

Dennis D. Schmidt, Licensed Director, President / Supervisor Email: Schmidtfuneral@aol.com Office Phone: 814-824-5000 Fax: 814-824-5006 Dennis D. Schmidt is a third-generation funeral director. Born and raised in Erie, Dennis is a 2000 graduate of Cathedral Prep where he played water polo and was a member of the swim team. Following graduation from Penn State University in 2004 where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology he went on to mortuary school at the Funeral Institute of the North East (FINE) in Boston, MA and graduated with an Associates of Art Degree in 2005.  Dennis is the current Vice President of the Erie Crawford County Funeral Directors Association.

Daniel A. Swenson Office Phone: 814-824-5000 Fax: 814-824-5006 Born and raised in Jamestown, New York, Daniel A. Swenson has been a funeral director at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc. since January, 1992.  He is a graduate of Jamestown Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Daniel also graduated from the Simmons Institute of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York, in 1965 and pursued his funeral directing career in New York until his move to Erie.  HE hold dual licensing in Pennsylvania and New York and is a past President of Erie Crawford County Funeral Directors Association.  Dan is married to Nancy Strader and they have four children, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Francis J. Facchine, II, Licensed Director Office Phone: 814-824-5000 Fax: 814-824-5006 Francis J. Facchine, II, a second-generation funeral director joined the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc., in July, 2010. Born and raised in Brockway, Pennsylvania, Fran attended Brockway Area High School where he was a member of the baseball, soccer and basketball teams.  Fran earned his Bachelor of Science from Gannon University in 2000. He went on to mortuary school at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and graduated with a Funeral Service Arts and Science Degree in 2001 and holds dual licensing in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  Fran married Carrie Robie in October of 2008.

John J. Hersch, Licensed Director Email: Schmidtfuneral@aol.com Office Phone: 814-824-5000 Fax: 814-824-5006 Born and raised in Erie, John is a 2003 graduate of Cathedral Prep where he played football and was a member of the track team.  John attended the College of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing in 2007.  After some time working in the business sector, John went on to mortuary school at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and graduated with a Funeral Service Arts and Sciences Degree and an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in 2009.  John married Megan Schmidt in October of 2009 and they are current members of St. Luke Roman Catholic Church.