Funeral Director
John was born in Williamsport, a son of John L., a retired Newberry letter carrier, and Mary L. Trimble Confer, a retired bookkeeper for several CPA firms.
John graduated from the Williamsport High School, the former Williamsport Area Community College and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
In 1979 he married the former Linda C. Deffaa, a retired teacher in the East Lycoming School District. They have a son, J.R., and his wife Patty, who live in South Williamsport, and a daughter, Jill, who lives in Wilmingon, Delaware.
John worked for funeral homes in Williamsport, Cincinnati and Montoursville before purchasing the Knight Funeral Home in 1985. In 1996 he purchased the High Monument Company. Both businesses are operated at the 1914 Memorial Avenue location.
John is a member of the St. John's-Newberry United Methodist Church in Newberry and the Lake Keuka Baptist Church in Penn Yan, NY. He is the treasurer and has served on the James V. Brown Library Board of Trustees since 1988 and is a past president of the board and is a past president of the River Valley Regional YMCA Board and a member of their Trustee Board. He is the treasurer and past president of the Newberry Lions Club, a member of Boy Scout Troop 14's committee and a Troop Eagle Scout, serves on the Penn College Foundation Board, the Divine Providence Hospital Quality and Safet Commitee, the Williamsport/Lycoming Foundation Board, and is a member of Dietrick Lamade Lodge #755 F. & A. M.
In his spare time he enjoys spending time at their cottage on Keuka Lake, NY, water skiing, swimming, boating and chasing those little white balls on a golf course. He is an avid Penn State Football fan and enjoys watching the Millionaire Basketball team.
Funeral Director
John was born in Williamsport, a son of Lee G. and Esther (Swank) Springman, Newberry residents.
John graduated from the Williamsport High School, the former Williamsport Area Community College and the Simmons School of Mortuary Science, Syracuse, New York.
John was married to the former Denise B. Smertneck, who died unexpectedly in 1998 after 22 years of marriage. They are the parents of a daughter, Kelly Hine and a son, Craig, who after college graduation both live and work in Williamsport, two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Nittany, twin grandsons, Benjamin and Noah, and step granddaughters, Kaylee and Maddison.
John had worked for the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation and became a licensed funeral director in 1988.
John is a member of St. John's-Newberry United Methodist Church, serving on various committees; is an Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 14 at the church; a member, past president and currently treasurer of the Lycoming Creek Lions Club; and a volunteer for the Columbia Montour Home Hospice, Camp Courage.
When time permits he enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles and making wine.
Funeral Director
Kristen has been with Knight-Confer Funeral Home since 2013 when she began as funeral intern and was then hired full time as a Licensed Funeral Director.
She is married to Douglas Overdorf and they are the parents of Benjamin and Journey Overdorf.
Kristen graduated from Millville High School in 2008, Lycoming College in 2012, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Northampton Community College Mortuary Science Program in 2013.
She is past president of the Central Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, is a member of Mill-Green United Methodist Church, Greenwood, and volunteers at the Lycoming County SPCA.
In her spare time Kristen enjoys returning to her home town to spend time with family. She and her husband Doug can be found spending time outdoors; camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and walking their dogs,Camo and Meadow.
Administrative Assistant
A lifelong Resident of Williamsport, Nicole is a 1998 graduate of Williamsport High School. Following high school, Nicole obtained an Associate’s degree in Health Science and worked for several years in long term care at many local nursing homes before joining the funeral home staff in 2017. She and her husband Matt are proud parents to an energetic daughter Grace, who she is often chasing around. Nicole enjoys working out and going for rides in her husband’s classic cars.
Director of Facilities
A Liberty native, William, better known as Tully can often be found fixing things around many different areas of the funeral home. A graduate of Liberty High School, Tully joined the funeral home staff in 2013 and is responsible for building operations, ground and facility maintenance. He is a CANA Certified Crematory Operator. In his spare time, Tully can often be found working in “Tully World” on his 1971 GMC, 1963 Cadillac, or his 1954 Bel Air. Tully resides in Liberty with his wife Annie and daughter Olivia.
Funeral Director, Supervisor
A
native of Williamsport, Mike grew up in the East End and graduated from Bishop
Neumann High School in 1992. After graduation he earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Mansfield University in 1995 and graduated from Simmons Institute
of Funeral Service, Syracuse, NY in 1997. Mike became a licensed Funeral
Director in 1998 and has since worked in funeral homes in both Lancaster and
Williamsport.
In
addition to his funeral director license, Mike has his life insurance license,
enabling him to provide pre-need funeral insurance to families that we serve. Mike currently serves as President of the Central Penn Funeral Directors Association.
Community
involvement is important to Mike. He has served on committees with the
Williamsport / Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, and is a past
president of the Williamsport Area Management Association. Mike enjoys coaching
his sons in AYSO soccer, Loyalsock Little League, Trinity Basketball teams in
the Bower League and Little Lancer Basketball Program. Mike serves as an usher
at Trinity Episcopal Church where he and his family attend.
Mike
and his wife, Amy, live in Loyalsock Township with their sons Steven and Ryan.
His oldest child, Renee graduated from Penn State University and currently
resides in Boston.
Support Staff
Support Staff
Served as Support Staff from 2013 until his passing on February 24, 2023. Thank you for your service Lee.
Support Staff
Support Staff