Our staff at Rone Funeral Service is committed to providing your family with the finest in personal care. We have been serving the community since 1932 and it’s been comforting for area families to know that we are available to help at any time of the day or night. When a loved one dies, all you need to do is make one phone call. From that moment on, we’ll take on the responsibilities of the physical care of your loved one, and the emotional care of those left behind. Please take a few minutes to get to know our staff. We’re sure you’ll find each of us to be all that you would hope for in a trusted funeral professional.
James C Geraci - Owner/President - NJ License No. 3736
James C. Geraci was born in Vineland to James A. Geraci and Faustina Rone Geraci and has been a Vineland resident his entire life. He attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and graduated from St Augustine Preparatory School in 1967. After high school, Jim received a Business Administrative Degree from Saint Leo College in 1971 and attended Glassboro State College where he received his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Jim taught at Rossi Elementary School for 9 ½ years. After teaching, Jim attended Mercer County College in 1983 and received his Degree of Mortuary Science. Jim then joined the family business, Rone Funeral Service, of which his grandfather C. Calvin Rone established in 1932, and began working alongside his mother, father and his uncle Vic. With the passing of his uncle Vic in 1982, his father James in 2007 and recently his mother Faustina Rone Geraci in 2012, Jim has now assumed the role of Owner/President of the family business and is currently running the day to day operations of Rone Funeral Service. Jim is a member of National Funeral Directors Association, New Jersey Funeral Directors Association, and West New Jersey Funeral Directors Association. He is also members of various local clubs which include the Italian American Benevolent Association, North Italy Club, The Italian Cultural Foundation of South Jersey and is a Board Member of the St. Mary School. He is a parishioner of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish.
Michael R DeStefano - Manager- Licensed Funeral Director - NJ License No. 4978
Michael R. DeStefano, of Vineland and formerly of Landisville is the son of the late Michael A. and Joan DeStefano. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Funeral Service Program at Mercer County College in May of 2012. He was nominated and received the J.M. Nolte Academic Award, a national honor based on academic excellence. He has been a part of the Rone Funeral Service family since 1980.. Michael’s dedication to the funeral profession has always been evident in the compassionate service he has provided to many hundreds of families throughout the past four decades. Once he decided to return to school to pursue his license, Michael went at it with the same determination and care he has demonstrated throughout his career. He has always worked with the understanding that every family has placed a sacred trust in Rone Funeral Service and we must always do all we can to live up to the honor in serving our families. It is Michael's commitment to serve families in a way that follows the Rone tradition. Mike became manager in 2019. the fifth manager since 1932. He is a member & President of West New Jersey Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association and State of NJ Funeral Directors Association where he sits on the board of directors. Michael is also a member of The Italian Cultural Foundation of South Jersey and the Italian Benevolent Association. He is a parishioner of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish.
Nicholas Chamenko - Licensed Funeral Director - NJ License No. 3510
Nicholas Chamenko was born in Philadelphia, moving to Vineland in 1957, he attended the Vineland elementary schools before moving to Runnemede where he graduated Triton Regional High School, later moving back to Vineland. Nick began his career with the Rone Funeral Service in June of 1970. A graduate of Cumberland County College where he received an associate’s degree in liberal arts and continued on to graduate the dean’s list of Mercer County Community College Funeral Service Program. Nick has been a licensed funeral director with the state of New Jersey since August of 1980. A member in good standing with the National Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the West Jersey Funeral Directors Association. Nick also holds a Pennsylvania Funeral Directors limited license. Nick is now in his 52nd year of funeral service, serving with three generations of the Rone and Geraci families. Along with assisting families in funeral arrangements, Nick is well versed in Pre-need arrangements, having attended various seminars available to become knowledgeable in all aspects of pre-need laws. He is known to excel in the art of embalming and restorative art, once again attending classes and seminars to obtain the knowledge to perfect the art of mortuary cosmetology. His goal is to give our families the peace of mind and a pleasant memory of their loved ones. Nick lives here in Vineland which he has been pleased to call his home, and is the proud father of a son and two daughters and a loving grandfather to his three grandchildren.
John C. Brown Jr. - Licensed Funeral Director - NJ License No. 4042
John C. Brown Jr. has been a lifelong resident of Millville, New Jersey. He is a 1986 graduate of Millville High School. After high school, John attended Cumberland County and Mercer County College, where he received his degree in funeral service. In 2010, John obtained his Florida Funeral Director and Embalmers license. He is a member of the West Jersey Funeral Directors Association, where he served as president for two terms. John has been serving the families of Cumberland County since 1988. John is parishioner of the All Saints Parish in Millville. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1778 of Millville, where he served as Grand Knight. John has volunteered with the Millville rescue squad, serving one term as a lieutenant and also volunteered with the Millville Fire Department for 15 years. In John’s free time he is a singer and guitar player in a Bluegrass Band, BlueOctane. John has enjoyed performing since he was 8 years old. He is married to his wife Michele (Grotti) of Vineland. He enjoys traveling with his wife, friends and family. John and Michele rescued 2 Chihuahua’s during the pandemic; their names are Callie and peanut. John adores his 3 girls
Lori Rone-McLaughlin - Office Manager
Lori Rone-McLaughlin was born in Vineland to the late C. Victor and Sarah (Scarpa) Rone. She is the granddaughter to the late C. Calvin and Mary Rone, the founders of Rone Funeral Service. Lori is third generation family working at Rone Funeral Service. She came back home in 2011 as our Office Manager after working 21 years as a flight attendant for US Airways. Lori graduated from Vineland High School in 1980; she then went to college in Florida at St. Leo University earning a B.A. degree in Psychology in 1984. She also is a licensed real estate agent for BHHS. Lori is a Notary Public for the State of New Jersey. She currently resides in Vineland and has two daughters Sydney and Reilly and her furry sidekick Bruno.
Mary “Chickie” Tamagni - Retired Office Manager
Mary “Chickie” Tamagni was raised in Vineland and has remained a lifelong resident. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1958. Chickie started working for Rone Funeral Service in 1994 as the office manager; in 2009 she decided to retire. However she remains on staff as a part-time employee helping out as needed. Prior to working at Rone Funeral Service, Chickie worked for Prudential Insurance for nine years. She serves as a Notary Public and was a past member of the Board of Registration. Chickie has been married to her husband Chick and they have one son.
Hermogenes “Moe” Torres - Grounds and Building Supervisor
Hermogenes “Moe” Torres was born in Puerto Rico in 1958. He moved to Southern New Jersey in 1980. Moe worked in the farming industry for 20 years. In 2000 he began working at Rone Funeral Service as our Grounds and Building Supervisor. Moe is a very dedicated community man. He works on a daily basis as a member of Roka of Salvation Church in Vineland and he also helps out at Fairton Federal Prison in Millville on Weekends. Moe lives in Vineland.
Anthony Albano - Funeral Assistant
Anthony Albano is a lifelong resident of Vineland. He is the son of the late Nelson Albano and Marie Albano. He retired from a family business after working for 48 years. He began working for Rone Funeral Service in 2019 as a funeral assistant. He resides in Vineland with his wife Donna. He is a father and grandfather. He loves spending time at his riverfront property during the summer months.
Scott D. Hoffman - Funeral Assistant
Scott began working at Rone Funeral Service early in 2020 after a 35 year career in education as both as Industrial Arts Teacher and Teacher of the Handicapped of which he holds both Bachelors and Masters Degrees. His funeral work experience began while in college and early in his 40 plus years of marriage. Scott and his wife have raised two daughters and proudly since added two sons-in-law and five grandchildren to their family.
Nelson Albano - Funeral Assistant
Nelson Albano was born in 1954 and lived in Vineland all his life until recently moving
to Landisville with his wife Dawn. Nelson is a graduate from Sacred Heart High School
and Cumberland County Technical Center graduating with Journymanship as an
Electrician. He also worked for Village Shop Rite in Vineland for almost forty years until
he retired in 2016. Nelson was also involved in UFCW Local 152 serving on the
Executive Board and as Shop Steward for many years. Nelson was also very active in the
community, and on the state level representing District One in the State Assembly.
Nelson is the proud father of both his sons Ryan, and Michael who was killed in 2001 by
a drunk driver. He is now proud to be on the staff of Rones Funeral Service since 2022
working as a funeral assistant.
Matthew W. Milam - Funeral Assistant
Matthew W. Milam was born in Williamstown to the late William and Mary Jo Milam. He went
to Williamstown High School graduating in 1979 and also graduated from the Gloucester Co.
Institute of Technology and Cumberland Co. College in Political Science. Matt moved to Vineland in 1992. He is married to his wife Karen and together they have two beautiful daughters, Marissa and Melanie. Matt has held various positions throughout his life. He currently is the Regional Sales Manager for Venezia Transport in Limerick, PA. He held the position as a NJ State Assemblyman for many years; he was Chairman and CEO for Foundry Service Corporation and also Miles & Co. Inc. He was a Board of Director for various businesses including Cumberland Co. Economic Development, CCA YMCA, and Bayshore Discovery Project. Matt is also serving as the Board President/Executive Director for Spirit & Truth Ministries here in Vineland.
Edgar Zatzariny - Funeral Assistant - Retired
Edgar Zatzariny a lifelong resident of Vineland began working part-time for Rone Funeral Service in 2002. Ed graduated from Vineland High School in 1957. He joined the US Air Force in 1957 along with his twin brother, Tim. After serving four years he began working for the Vineland Police Department, he retired after 40 years as lieutenant. During his career he received his Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. Ed is married to his wife Josephine; together they have two children and five grandchildren. Ed is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, North Italy Club and a board member of the Salvation Army.
Stephen Panichelli - Funeral Assistant
Stephen Panichelli was born in Vineland, NJ to Michael Panichelli, Jr. and the Late Carol (Mottola) Panichelli. He is a 1999 Graduate from Vineland High School, a 2003 Graduate from Rowan University with a Bachelor's Degree and a Teacher of the Handicapped certification, and a 2016 Graduate from Wilmington University with a Master's Degree for School Administration. He is currently employed by the Vineland Board of Education as a Special Education Teacher. Stephen began working part-time at Rone in November of 2017. He is married to Gina Marolda-Panichelli and has two children, Anthony and Giovanna. He is currently a Member of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish (St. Michael Church) in Minotola, NJ
