HOWARD — A longtime Howard funeral home has a new name, a new owner and a new sign.
The former Kader-Neff Funeral Home in Howard now has a new owner, Garrett Singer, and the sign in front of the funeral home reflects the ownership change.
After graduating from Bellefonte Area High School in 2009, Singer went on to attend Penn State and then Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. His career began with the former Mark D. Hentzelman Funeral Home in Centre Hall and State College. He has traveled around the state, working for several different funeral homes and learning from different directors.
Wanting to retire and move to warmer weather, Curt Kader reached out to Singer and presented him with an opportunity that would allow him to move back to his hometown area and serve the community. Singer jumped at the chance to live and work in Centre County and is looking forward to making new friends in the Howard area.
“I’m very thankful and excited for the opportunity to have my name next to the names of Curtis Kader and the entire Neff legacy. The ability to remain a family-owned business and that will understand and listen to the community’s needs like the Neff family intended when they opened the funeral home is a tremendous honor,” said Singer.
Singer was born and raised in Pleasant Gap, the son of Julie and Robert Singer. He has a brother, Ryan, and two sisters who are twins, Haley and Breanna.
As a youngster, he began wrestling for Bellefonte when he entered kindergarten and continued to wrestle throughout high school, lettering all four years. Singer was a District 6 champion and a state qualifier. He was a member of the local 4-H, showing sheep and goats at the Grange Fair each year until turning 18.
“Growing up, I constantly found myself playing outdoors, hiking, hunting or fishing. Fast forward to today and every chance I get I am either camping, hiking, kayaking or fly fishing,” said Singer of his current hobbies.
Curt Kader and his wife, Sondra, who purchased the Neff Funeral Home in 1996, have made their move to Loxahatchee, Florida, to enjoy their retirement in the warmer climate. The Kaders will be returning to Centre County frequently for visits since they have children and grandchildren here.
Singer is looking forward to meeting families in the area and developing relationships with them, so that when their need for a funeral director and funeral home services occurs, individuals will be familiar with his name and face. He is also available to meet with families for funeral pre-planning consultations; contact the funeral home at (814) 625-2552.
