Our Staff

A native of Dushore, Dean graduated as a member of the last class of St. Basil’s High School in Dushore in 1966. He continued his education at King’s College, in Wilkes-Barre, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Dean went on to graduate from the American Academy McAlister Institute of Mortuary Science in 1972, and in 1979 assumed ownership of P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, with locations in Dushore and Wyalusing. Dean is married to the former A. Kay Welles of Wyalusing and has four children. He and his wife have shown their interest in the community with membership in organizations such as Dushore Lions Club, Sullivan Country Industrial Development Authority; Wyalusing Rainbow Club and Greater Wyalusing Area Chamber of Commerce. Dean has been active in funeral service since 1962 and is very proud to be able to serve families of all faiths and traditions. He endeavors to work with each family to provide a service that fits their individual requirements. Pre-arrangement of funeral services is also offered and recommended.

A graduate of Wyalusing Valley Jr.-Sr. High School, Class of 1970, Kay is the daughter of the late John R. and Amelia Welles. She graduated from Florida Southern College in 1974 with teaching certificates in French and history. Following a year on fellowship at Penn State University in the French Department, she worked at the First National Bank of Dushore, The Sullivan Review, Turnpike Elementary School, then finally Canton High School. She graduated from Simmons School of Mortuary Science in 1987 and was licensed as a funeral director in 1988. She received her Master's Degree in School Library and Information Technology in 2005 and worked as a school librarian for almost 10 years before retiring in 2014. She enjoys history, working with people, reading, gardening, restoration of old buildings, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She and Dean have 4 children- Jeff (Kim), Nick (Elizabeth), Brad (Brie), and Amy.

J. Jeffery Homer, son of Dean and Kay Homer, is the 6th generation of the Tubach-Homer family to engage in funeral directing. Jeff graduated from St. Anselm's College in Manchester, New Hampshire, in May 2000 and he is a 2001 graduate of San Francisco School of Mortuary Science. He has been working at the funeral home since 2002 and completed his internship and passed the Pennsylvania State Exam in 2003. He is married to the former Kim Rice and has four children, Hannah, Greyson, Nora, and Maine. He is the 7th generation of the Welles family to live at and operate Grovedale Farm. In 2008 Jeff and Kim opened Grovedale Winery & Vineyards. 

Austen graduated from the Wyalusing Valley Jr./Sr. High School in 2009 as Class President. In high school he was active in FBLA, Youth & Government, and various sports and other activities. In the fall of 2009 he started attending Northampton Community College, in Bethlehem, PA in the Funeral Service Education Program. In June of 2011 he started working with the P. Dean Homer Funeral Homes. On May 24, 2012 he graduated from Northampton Community College, with his Associates in Applied Science Degree, in Funeral Service Education.

After passing his National Boards he started his internship. After completing his internship and passing his Pennsylvania State Boards he became a licensed funeral director in June of 2013. On May 14, 2016 he graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelors of Science in Business from Keystone College. 

Austen lives in Dushore, PA, and is an active member of the French Asylum United Methodist Church and also serves as a Trustee and secretary of the Trustees of the church. When Austen isn't at one of the funeral homes, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.