Edward A. Kubu

retired funeral director, Mentor, Ohio, died September 6, 2026, at age 82.

Kubu attended Kent State University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He then returned to his family’s firm, where he completed his apprenticeship and worked for two years. Kubu then joined University Hospitals of Cleveland, and he worked in the mortician’s office there until his retirement. He participated in more than 12,000 autopsies and worked closely with funeral directors and families.

Kubu was a member of the Cuyahoga County Funeral Directors Association, the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association and the Ohio Funeral Directors Association. He served as president of the Cleveland Embalmers Association and was honored by the Ohio Funeral Directors Association for 50 years of licensure in 2018. He continued attending educational workshops and maintained his funeral directors license.

Kubu is survived by wife Mary Lou, daughter Lisa and two grandchildren.

Michael W. Nicodemus

funeral director and NFDA vice president of cremation services, died September 19, 2026, at age 73.

Nicodemus studied at Nathaniel Hawthorne College in New Hampshire, then graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. His career, which spanned more than four decades, began at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home & Crematory in Virginia Beach, Virginia, then continued with NFDA. Having taught cremation certification courses around the world, he was a respected resource and mentor to many in the profession.

Nicodemus enjoyed following sports teams, including the Boston Celtics and Pittsburgh Steelers. He especially loved college basketball and looked forward to March Madness every year. One of his favorite ways to experience life was through a great meal. You could name almost any city, and he would be able to list several restaurants worth visiting there.

Nicodemus is survived by wife Elizabeth, daughter Erin, son Ryan and four grandchildren.

James H. Sheridan

funeral director, former general manager and managing partner emeritus, Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, Pickerington, Ohio, died September 3, 2026, at age 77.

Sheridan attended Ohio University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He was a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and a licensed insurance agent.

Sheridan served on the Ohio Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors, Legislative Committee, Building Committee, Disaster Response Policy Board and Response Team, and he served as president of Southeastern Ohio District #13.

Sheridan also belonged to the Pickerington Chamber of Commerce, the Pickerington Moose, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a past president of the Pickerington Lions Club.

Sheridan is survived by wife Ann; children Trent, Carrie and Clair; and six grandchildren.