About Us

Bill Schlup founded the Schlup-Pucak Funeral Home at its present location in Akron, Ohio, in the year 1940. He had been active in the funeral industry for many years, and decided to open his own home in the neighborhood of Kenmore. It was Bill's desire to open a funeral home where service to families was the central focus; the funeral home that exists today at 788 Kenmore Blvd. is the result of that vision. Today, the Schlup-Pucak Funeral Home is an institution of the Akron area, and is just as centered on providing care and solace to members of the community as it ever was.

In 1979, Donald Pucak joined the firm after many years working in the funeral industry, both at individual funeral homes as well as working as a sales representative calling on many different funeral homes in Northeastern Ohio. It was with this experience that he realized what had set Bill Schlup's Funeral Home apart from all the others: Sincerity in Service. He had called on Bill Schlup for many years and the two of them had become close personal friends and colleagues before Bill asked Don to join him in running the funeral home. Bill saw a man he could trust to take care of the many families that had turned to the home in their time of need when he asked Don to join him. Don continued working for Bill through the next few years, and in 1984 he purchased the funeral home. Bill, however, continued to work with Don at the funeral home for many years.

During Don's time at the funeral home, he became very active in the community. He became an Elder at the Firestone Park Presbyterian Church; a Mason, joining the Victory Lodge #649 F & Am and eventually the A.A.S.R. Valley of Akron. He is also part of the Tadmor Shrine, where he has served in many different capacities, but perhaps none more rewarding than becoming part of the Royal Order of Jesters Akron Court # 80. In addition to these community groups, Don is past president of the Kenmore Kiwanis, a member of VFW Post 3383, Sons of the American Legion, Turkeyfoot Sportsman's, Kenmore Board of Trade, and has been part of the Golf Tournament for the past 24 years, culminating in becoming Chairman of the Tournament in 2010. He also serves on the Board of Governors for the Northern Ohio Golf Charities.

Professionally, Don is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, a group that made him president in 1993. He is also a member and past president (1988) of the Summit County Funeral Directors Association. He was made the Chairman of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association Master Trust in 1995. Don is a National Funeral Directors Association member as well as a Certified Funeral Service provider (C.F.S.P.).

Don Pucak truly enjoys his work as director of the funeral home, and is committed to serving the larger community. Bill Schlup selected the right person to inherit this funeral home which has helped so many members of the community in their hour of need. He exemplifies "Sincerity in Service", and we invite you to experience this for yourself so that we may provide you with the highest level of service, professionalism, and care.