Our Staff
Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Brenda (Quick) Shumaker
Owner, Funeral Director
Brenda Quick is a native of Punxsutawney and a 1982 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School. Following high school, she was employed at the Punxsutawney Area Hospital where she worked in various administrative positions during her eighteen years with them. While working at the hospital, she attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2000 in Funeral Service Management with an Associate in Specialized Business Degree. She also holds a diploma in Embalming and Funeral Directing. In 2002, Brenda successfully completed her Funeral Director Internship subsequently becoming a licensed funeral director in the state of Pennsylvania. She also holds a state license as an Insurance Producer, specializing in both life and fixed annuities.
In 2003 while pursuing her passion for helping others, she opened her first location, “The Brenda D. Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc.” in Big Run. In 2007, she expanded her outreach to include a Brookville location; and then in 2011, “The Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc.” in Punxsutawney (formerly Pifer Funeral Home) opened its doors making it her third location now providing high quality, compassionate service to three communities. Her businesses are affiliated as members of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and the local Jefferson-Clearfield Funeral Directors Association.
Brenda is an active member of her community and attends the Solid Rock Methodist Church in Big Run; is a social member of the Big Run Volunteer Fire Company; a committee member of the Big Run Beautification Project; and holds memberships with the Martha V. Conrad Study Group. Brenda has also co-sponsored benevolent endeavors to help grieving families such as the “Moving Forward Support Group” in Brookville and the “Walking Through Grief Support Group” in Punxsutawney.
In keeping with her active lifestyle, Brenda is the mother of two children, Derik and Erin Young. Derik is a seven year US Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Crew Chief on the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and now resides in Danville, PA where he is employed by Geisinger Medical Center as a helicopter Mechanic. Her daughter Erin proudly served in the US Air Force for one term. During her time in the USAF, she deployed to Kuwait serving as a third country national escort. She now resides in Big Run and is a graduate of Mount Aloysius College in Cresson PA. Erin is a registered life flight nurse employed at the Geisinger Life Flight in State College. She is the grandmother of two adorable grandchildren, Henry and Morgan.
Brenda resides in Big Run where she enjoys spending time with her family, antiquing, decorating, painting, and gardening. Brenda’s greatest hallmark is her passion for helping families during their time of need.
Grace Kozak
Licensed Apprentice
Grace Kozak is an Irvona native and a 2023 graduate of Glendale Jr./Sr. High School in Flinton. Following graduation, she moved to Pittsburgh to pursue her degree in mortuary science. Grace graduated with honors as the co-valedictorian of her class in January 2026 from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, earning an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology in Funeral Service Arts and Sciences. During her time with PIMS, she embraced every opportunity to learn and grow, finding deep meaning in both her education and the relationships she built along the way. Upon graduation, she was honored to receive several meaningful recognitions, including the Eugene Ogrodnik Entrepreneurial Award, the Stephen Pavlic/Robert Inman Mace Bearer Award, the PIMS Memorial Award, and admission to the Mu Sigma Funeral Honor Society. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude in January 2026 from Point Park University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Funeral Service, specializing in health and science. She will now be fulfilling all licensing requirements necessary under the direction of Brenda Shumaker at Shumaker Funeral Home to become a licensed funeral director in the state of Pennsylvania.
Grace is a licensed Pennsylvania Funeral Apprentice, an In-Sight Certified Funeral Celebrant, as well as a licensed crematory operator through both the Cremation Association of North America and the National Funeral Directors Association.
She is a member of Glendale Valley Spirit and Truth Church, where she is actively involved in the worship team and enjoys volunteering in her community. Her faith shapes her approach to life and service, guiding her to care for families with kindness and genuine empathy.
In her personal time, Grace enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys family camping trips, making music, and Sunday dinners at her GG’s home after church. She has a special love for animals, especially her cat, Susan.
Grace believes that the role of funeral director is not just a job title, but a ministry. She is honored to walk alongside families during life's most difficult times, offering comfort and support when it is needed most. She is eager to serve the Punxsutawney and Big Run communities, and is committed to serving each family with compassion during their time of need.
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