Staff

Russell J. Eckard, Vice President

Russell, the third-generation owner of the funeral home, is married to Kelly (Plickert) and has three daughters, Jaden, Natalie, and McKenna. He is a 1989 graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School, earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Bowling Green State University in the spring of 1994, and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1996. He is a State of Ohio licensed embalmer and funeral director, has his State of Ohio Insurance License, and is also a Series 7 licensed financial advisor under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).   He is also a member of the Wedgewood United Methodist Church, where he serves on the finance committee, and is a member of the Coventry-Akron Masonic Lodge #83. He is an active supporter of many local charities, including the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Hospice, FOP and the Special Olympics.

Lawrence J. Chambers, “Larry”, Funeral Director

Larry was born in Mingo Jct., OH. (a small village near Steubenville,OH) and is a 1999 graduate of The University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in General Management, a focus in Business Ethics and Human Resources and is a 2000 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He married his wife, Maria, in April of 2007 and is an active Eucharistic minister at St. Vincent Catholic Church, Past President of the Portage Lakes Kiwanis Club and member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 3410 – South Akron. He is an avid weight-lifter and recently received the 5th place trophy in the Heavyweight Division of the Ohio State Bodybuilding Championships.

Gregory G. Sunyak, Funeral Director

Greg was born in Cleveland and has lived in Ellet for over 30 years. He is a US Army veteran and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1973. He is married to his wife Linda, has one son, Chris (Carla) and one daughter, Becky, and grandson Mitchell. He is a State of Ohio licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director, as well as a licensed insurance agent. He is an active member of the MAPS Air Museum and of St. Matthew Catholic Church.

Marge Bokoski, Administrative Assistant

Marge was born in Akron and has been a lifelong resident, having graduated from Garfield High School in 1963. She married her husband Tom in 1966, and they have two children, Kimberly and Bryan; two grandchildren, Jessica and the late Richard; and two great-grandchildren, Charles and Richie. After working 20 years in the trucking industry, she joined Kelly Girls for three months, before joining the Eckard Baldwin Staff on October 17, 1983. She has been our full time administrative assistant ever since.