Rob Charapata
Funeral Director
Rob comes from a long family background of funeral service with his grandfather starting in Coleman, WI in the 1930's. He has two brothers, his father, an aunt and an uncle that are also Funeral Directors. This strong heritage in funeral service is a big part of why the Blaney family chose the Charapata family to carry on the "family" oriented Blaney Funeral Home.
Rob's hobbies include any power sports, especially dirt modified car racing. He is a NASCAR fan, and an avid Packer fan.
His mission is to continue serving the families of Blaney Funeral Home with the same fairness, respect and compassionate care for generations to come.
Rob Charapata
Funeral Director
Rob comes from a long family background of funeral service with his grandfather starting in Coleman, WI in the 1930's. He has two brothers, his father, an aunt and an uncle that are also Funeral Directors. This strong heritage in funeral service is a big part of why the Blaney family chose the Charapata family to carry on the "family" oriented Blaney Funeral Home.
Rob's hobbies include any power sports, especially dirt modified car racing. He is a NASCAR fan, and an avid Packer fan.
His mission is to continue serving the families of Blaney Funeral Home with the same fairness, respect and compassionate care for generations to come.
Charlotte Gillis
Funeral Director
In 1998, Charlotte graduated with honors from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College with an Associate Degree in Police Science. She furthered her education at UW-Green Bay, again graduating with honors in 2003, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Biology/Chemistry. She began working at Blaney Funeral Home and in 2004, graduated with honors from the Milwaukee Area Technical College and received her Funeral Directors license in 2005. Charlotte is an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Green Bay where she serves on the church council. She enjoys running in many of the Green Bay area races, knitting, gardening and spending time with her friends and family. She and her husband, Jason, have two beautiful children.
Charlotte Gillis
Funeral Director
In 1998, Charlotte graduated with honors from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College with an Associate Degree in Police Science. She furthered her education at UW-Green Bay, again graduating with honors in 2003, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Biology/Chemistry. She began working at Blaney Funeral Home and in 2004, graduated with honors from the Milwaukee Area Technical College and received her Funeral Directors license in 2005. Charlotte is an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Green Bay where she serves on the church council. She enjoys running in many of the Green Bay area races, knitting, gardening and spending time with her friends and family. She and her husband, Jason, have two beautiful children.
Samantha Cichy
Funeral Director
Samantha joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in April of 2018. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Samantha attended Aurora University, where she held three different jobs, played D3 lacrosse and advocated for LGBTQ rights. She graduated Class of 2015, with a Bachelor’s degree in biology, in preparation for mortuary school.
She attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2017. After her first quarter, she was admitted into the Pi Sigma Eta mortuary fraternity and graduated in 2018 with an Associate’s degree in applied science.
Sam is an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks fan. She thoroughly enjoys lifting and held four world records for her weight class and age, for six years.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her wife, Bre, family and friends, waiting on the next horror movie to hit the big screen, watching UFC fights and golfing. Sam and Bre are also cat moms to Sully, Spitz, Sidney and Otis.
Samantha Cichy
Funeral Director
Samantha joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in April of 2018. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Samantha attended Aurora University, where she held three different jobs, played D3 lacrosse and advocated for LGBTQ rights. She graduated Class of 2015, with a Bachelor’s degree in biology, in preparation for mortuary school.
She attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2017. After her first quarter, she was admitted into the Pi Sigma Eta mortuary fraternity and graduated in 2018 with an Associate’s degree in applied science.
Sam is an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks fan. She thoroughly enjoys lifting and held four world records for her weight class and age, for six years.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her wife, Bre, family and friends, waiting on the next horror movie to hit the big screen, watching UFC fights and golfing. Sam and Bre are also cat moms to Sully, Spitz, Sidney and Otis.
Samantha Vanden Heuvel
Funeral Director
Samantha stepped into funeral service in May of 2022 and joined the team at Blaney as a funeral director apprentice in February of the following year. She received her mortuary degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in May of 2025 and earned certifications as a celebrant and a crematory operator. Samantha’s favorite pastimes are spent with her husband and their two beloved children, as well as writing and enjoying her growing vinyl record collection.
Samantha Vanden Heuvel
Funeral Director
Samantha stepped into funeral service in May of 2022 and joined the team at Blaney as a funeral director apprentice in February of the following year. She received her mortuary degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in May of 2025 and earned certifications as a celebrant and a crematory operator. Samantha’s favorite pastimes are spent with her husband and their two beloved children, as well as writing and enjoying her growing vinyl record collection.
Susan Delaney
Funeral Director
Sue was born and raised in Neenah, WI. And graduated in 2005 from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, WI. She has served in the United States Army National Guard for 17 years. Sue is currently drilling as an instructor with the 426th Regimental Training Institute stationed at Ft. McCoy. She worked for six years as a member of the Army’s Military Funeral Honors Program, performing military honors at veterans’ funerals all over the state of WI. In 2012 Sue deployed as a truck driver with the 1157th Transportation Co out of Oshkosh, WI to the country of Afghanistan. Upon returning home Sue joined the team at Blaney Funeral Home as an apprentice funeral director in 2014. She graduated with honors from American Academy McAllister Institute of Mortuary Sciences with an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science in 2017. Sue is married to Matthew Delaney and they both attend Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.
Susan Delaney
Funeral Director
Sue was born and raised in Neenah, WI. And graduated in 2005 from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, WI. She has served in the United States Army National Guard for 17 years. Sue is currently drilling as an instructor with the 426th Regimental Training Institute stationed at Ft. McCoy. She worked for six years as a member of the Army’s Military Funeral Honors Program, performing military honors at veterans’ funerals all over the state of WI. In 2012 Sue deployed as a truck driver with the 1157th Transportation Co out of Oshkosh, WI to the country of Afghanistan. Upon returning home Sue joined the team at Blaney Funeral Home as an apprentice funeral director in 2014. She graduated with honors from American Academy McAllister Institute of Mortuary Sciences with an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science in 2017. Sue is married to Matthew Delaney and they both attend Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.
Kevin McDonough
Funeral Associate
Kevin joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in March of 2011. He was born and raised in De Pere. Kevin attended St. Francis Xavier School, De Pere, graduating in 1969, and East De Pere High graduating in 1973. He then attended UWGB from 1974-1977.
Kevin is very active in his church, Our Lady of Lourdes and also the school where he serves on the Technology Committee and the Golf Outing Committee, fundraising. He has also served for 34 years on the Pink Flamingo Charity Softball Tournament Fundraising Committee. Kevin enjoys football, basketball, baseball and any other kind of sport.
He married Cheryl Robaidek and together they have three beautiful children, Jenna, Liam and Connor.
Kevin McDonough
Funeral Associate
Kevin joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in March of 2011. He was born and raised in De Pere. Kevin attended St. Francis Xavier School, De Pere, graduating in 1969, and East De Pere High graduating in 1973. He then attended UWGB from 1974-1977.
Kevin is very active in his church, Our Lady of Lourdes and also the school where he serves on the Technology Committee and the Golf Outing Committee, fundraising. He has also served for 34 years on the Pink Flamingo Charity Softball Tournament Fundraising Committee. Kevin enjoys football, basketball, baseball and any other kind of sport.
He married Cheryl Robaidek and together they have three beautiful children, Jenna, Liam and Connor.
Karen Decker
Funeral Assistant
Karen joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in November of 2012. She brought with her many years of customer service experience, which included 11 years as a Supervisor at the Green Bay Press-Gazette where she was responsible for proofing and processing the daily obituaries. Karen embraces that responsibility as part of her job and is glad she can share her knowledge with the families that Blaney Funeral Home serves.
Karen and her husband, Bob reside in the Village of Howard and are members of St. John the Baptist parish. Their Three children (& spouses) and seven grandchildren keep them on the go, filling their hearts with so much joy.
Karen’s spare time is filled with long daily walks, taking day trips, capturing nature’s beauty in photos, and crocheting many gifts for family and friends.
Karen Decker
Funeral Assistant
Karen joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in November of 2012. She brought with her many years of customer service experience, which included 11 years as a Supervisor at the Green Bay Press-Gazette where she was responsible for proofing and processing the daily obituaries. Karen embraces that responsibility as part of her job and is glad she can share her knowledge with the families that Blaney Funeral Home serves.
Karen and her husband, Bob reside in the Village of Howard and are members of St. John the Baptist parish. Their Three children (& spouses) and seven grandchildren keep them on the go, filling their hearts with so much joy.
Karen’s spare time is filled with long daily walks, taking day trips, capturing nature’s beauty in photos, and crocheting many gifts for family and friends.
Arista Franklin
Apprentice
Arista joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in September of 2022. She was raised in Madison, WI before moving to Green Bay in 2018.
She will begin attending MATC in the spring to begin her prerequisites, before continuing to school for her mortuary science degree.
In her free time, Arista enjoys baking, fishing, spending time with her pets, and crafting with her daughter.
Arista Franklin
Apprentice
Arista joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in September of 2022. She was raised in Madison, WI before moving to Green Bay in 2018.
She will begin attending MATC in the spring to begin her prerequisites, before continuing to school for her mortuary science degree.
In her free time, Arista enjoys baking, fishing, spending time with her pets, and crafting with her daughter.
Matthew Delaney
Advanced Funeral Planner
Matthew grew up in Kaukauna, WI. and graduated from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in 2003. Coming into the funeral industry as a second career, he joined the Blaney staff in 2018 as an Advanced Funeral Planner helping families make prearrangements and setting up funeral trusts. Matthew is married to Susan Delaney, and both are members of Beautiful Savior Lutheran.
Matthew Delaney
Advanced Funeral Planner
Matthew grew up in Kaukauna, WI. and graduated from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in 2003. Coming into the funeral industry as a second career, he joined the Blaney staff in 2018 as an Advanced Funeral Planner helping families make prearrangements and setting up funeral trusts. Matthew is married to Susan Delaney, and both are members of Beautiful Savior Lutheran.
Aasha Shaw
Admin Secretary
Aasha joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in March of 2022. She brought with her many years of customer service experience, including working on inputting funeral orders at Schroeder’s Flowers and processing obituaries for the Press Gazette. Aasha enjoys photo editing and helping create a tribute for the loved ones of the families that Blaney Funeral Home serves.
Forever a Green Bay native, she graduated from UW – Green Bay in 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology and human development.
She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jake and spoiling her cat, Beulah.
Aasha Shaw
Admin Secretary
Aasha joined the Blaney Funeral Home staff in March of 2022. She brought with her many years of customer service experience, including working on inputting funeral orders at Schroeder’s Flowers and processing obituaries for the Press Gazette. Aasha enjoys photo editing and helping create a tribute for the loved ones of the families that Blaney Funeral Home serves.
Forever a Green Bay native, she graduated from UW – Green Bay in 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology and human development.
She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jake and spoiling her cat, Beulah.
Denise Rother
Admin Secretary
Denise had previously worked for Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau and then Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, Oconto. Shortly after Rhodes-Charapata purchased Blaney Funeral Home she transferred to Green Bay to join the staff as an Administrative Secretary.
Denise is married to Justin Rother and the mother of four children, Bradley (Kaley), Caitlin (Jim), Suzanne and Faith. She is also the grandmother of 7 beautiful grandchildren, Brennan, Norah, Grace, Gemma, Blakley, Theo and Elijah.
Denise attends The River Church in Wisconsin Rapids. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and especially loves cooking for her family when they all come home.
Denise Rother
Admin Secretary
Denise had previously worked for Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau and then Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, Oconto. Shortly after Rhodes-Charapata purchased Blaney Funeral Home she transferred to Green Bay to join the staff as an Administrative Secretary.
Denise is married to Justin Rother and the mother of four children, Bradley (Kaley), Caitlin (Jim), Suzanne and Faith. She is also the grandmother of 7 beautiful grandchildren, Brennan, Norah, Grace, Gemma, Blakley, Theo and Elijah.
Denise attends The River Church in Wisconsin Rapids. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and especially loves cooking for her family when they all come home.
