Our Caring Staff in New Castle, PA | R. Cunningham Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

Roger Cunningham

President and Supervisor

Roger is President of R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. and Faithful Friends Pet Crematory.

Born and raised in New Castle, Roger is a sixth-generation Funeral Director. The business was founded by his great-great-great-grandfather in 1848. Roger started washing cars at the funeral home by the age of three.

He graduated from New Castle High School in 1978, attended Slippery Rock University, and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1983.

He married the love of his life, Tammera Lyn McCormick, on January 23, 1982. They have two beautiful daughters, Jenna Lyn (married to Jordan Flaim, a funeral director with the firm) and Amanda Marie (married to DJ Bolinger); three grandsons, Easton and Jordy Flaim and Barrett Bolinger; and two granddaughters, Ruby Lyn Flaim and Everly Grace Bolinger.

Roger and Tammy are faithful and active members of New Life Baptist Church in New Wilmington PA. Roger is a past Deacon and currently serves as Head Usher, member of the Emergency Response Team, New Member Welcome Team, and a Greeter. Tammy serves on the New Member Welcome Team and Child Care team and is a Greeter.

In his spare time, Roger enjoys playing golf with his friends, shooting, taking care of his lawn and sitting by their pool. But most of the time, you will find him somewhere around the funeral home. We think it’s in his DNA!

Michael Cunningham

Secretary and Treasurer

Born and raised in New Castle, Michael continues a six-generation tradition of funeral directing.

He graduated from Neshannock High School in 1995, from Duquesne University in 1999, majoring in Organizational and Professional Communications and minoring in Sociology, and from The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in September of 2000.

Michael married Tracy on December 9th, 2023. He is a proud father to his son, Nickolas Michael Cunnningham, and daughter, Lilly Ann Cunningham. Michael is honored to welcome Tracy’s daughter and son, Hannah and Joshua Soom, to his family. His expanding family would not be complete without the lovable Jasmine Marie, otherwise known as the gray-and-white baby, their 100% Staffordshire Terrier.

Michael and Tracy are devoted members of Independent Methodist Church. Michael currently serves as an Usher and serves on the Board of Directors. Tracy is currently serving as an Usher and serves on the Social Life Committee.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys playing golf, helping his wife with her gardening passions, and cheering for his Pittsburgh sports teams. Michael has always felt a great sense of pride in being part of the funeral industry and is humbled and honored by all the families who put their faith and trust in the R. Cunningham Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

Jordan Flaim

Funeral Director

Jordan is a native of Hookstown, Pennsylvania. A part of the R. Cunningham Funeral family since September 2017, he serves as a Funeral Director.

He has called New Castle home for the last 14 years, with his wife, Jenna (Cunningham), two sons, Jordy and Easton, as well as a daughter, Ruby.

He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, golfing, and watching all sports, especially rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. Jordan attended Westminster College, where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 2009, and most recently attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he graduated top of his class in 2018.

Jordan and his family are members of First Baptist Church in New Castle, where he volunteers in the nursery. He is the President of the Neshannock Township Education Foundation and a member of the fundraising committee for the Neshannock Athletic Association. He also enjoys coaching his children in baseball and softball.

Jordan chose to change his career path later in life, knowing the funeral industry would allow him to serve the community and build relationships with those around him. His prior professional experience in project management, team leadership, and sourcing have all played an integral role in his development as a Funeral Director.

Bo Decarbo

Funeral Assistant

Sandy Irwin

Senior Administrative Assistant

Carrie Swift

AR AP Administrator

Carrie joined our team in January of 2015 as our full-time AR/AP Administrator. She plays a vital role behind the scenes and enjoys meeting with the families that we serve. She feels truly blessed to be able to help families in their time of loss.

Carrie lives in West Middlesex with her husband of 29 years, Jason. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family and two puppies, Dale & Sunny.

Jessica Cochran

Administrative Assistant

Born and raised in New Castle, Jessica Cochran is one of our administrative assistants. She is responsible for a variety of things, ranging from processing death certificates to writing obituaries, and everything in between. Oftentimes, Jess is the first person our grieving families encounter as they walk through our doors. Her calm and compassionate demeanor sets the tone for the diligence our human families, and pet families alike, will receive.

A desire to help individuals walk through the grieving process was born after the loss of a close family member. Jess went on to deepen her knowledge of grief by taking several courses that propelled her to become an advocate for the grieving. This desire has led her to us here, at Cunningham’s, where she feels truly honored to walk alongside our grieving families.

Jess has been married to her husband, David, for 27 years. They have one daughter, Camri, and a boxer dog, Rowan. She and her family attend Victory Family Church, New Castle Campus, where they serve on the Guest Services and Welcome Teams. Jess loves good food, fashion, shopping with friends, and just about anything chocolate.

Scott Cunningham

Building Supervisor

Stephanie N. (Owen) Hinkson

Preneed Specialist and Funeral Director

Stephanie was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City. After graduating from high school, Stephanie and her family moved to western Pennsylvania, as most of her mother’s family lives in the area.

Stephanie is a 2013 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where she received a Diploma in Embalming and Funeral Directing and an Associate in Specialized Business Degree in Funeral Service Management. During her time at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, she served on the student senate for three terms, finishing her last term as Secretary/Treasurer. In recognition of outstanding academic proficiency, she was presented the Mu Sigma Alpha Award, also known as the Mortuary Science Award, by the National Association of Colleges of Mortuary Science. Stephanie is a Certified Crematory Operator through the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). She became a licensed Funeral Director in the state of Pennsylvania on July 1, 2014, following the completion of a 12-month internship.

In March of 2015, she became a Resident Producer in Accident and Health, Life, and Fixed Annuities to assist families in their preplanning funeral needs. Stephanie has also been trained as a Certified Professional in Funeral Planning through Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s Center for Loss and Life Transition in partnership with Funeral Directors Life.

In October 2020, Stephanie married Dustin Jay Hinkson. Stephanie and Dustin enjoy working on their new home and spending time with friends and family.

Stephanie says, “It is so fulfilling to know that by assisting people as they plan ahead, I am helping their surviving family members have time to focus on what’s most important when experiencing the loss of a loved one…time to grieve.”

Stephanie N. (Owen) Hinkson
724.456.0617

To learn more about me, please click on this link: www.mytributeplanner.com/shinkson.