Our Staff

Andrew M. Gearhart is the owner, & licensed funeral director and embalmer, of Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Gearhart-Sauer Funeral Home, & Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, where he has served the Van Wert & Mercer County communities since 2001.

Andy was born and raised in Van Wert and graduated from Van Wert High School in 1994.  After earning a Bachelor's Degree from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, in 1998 he worked in manufacturing while earning an Associates degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  He joined his father, Michael J. Gearhart, in 2001 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory & Gearhart-Sauer Funeral Home.  In July 2017, Andy and Sean Sauer, purchased the Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio from Marcia N. Ripley.

Andy continually volunteers and supports his community as a member of the Van Wert Service Club, the Crime Stoppers of Van Wert County Board of Directors, the Knights of Columbus, the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the Van Wert High School Athletic Department.

Andy is married to Niki, who is also a licensed funeral director.  Together they have two daughters, Alexa and Sophie.  They are all very active members of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.  Andy enjoys working with his family on their small farm, following his daughters athletic events, and supporting the New York Yankees, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Sean M. Sauer is the President, Funeral Director and Embalmer at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Gearhart – Sauer Funeral Home and Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, where he works to serve the local communities by offering his expertise in personalized at-need and pre-need funeral and cremation services, as well as his skills as an embalmer and restorative artist.

Coming to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in 2015, Sean brings with him a fresh outlook on funeral service for the Van Wert, Convoy and Rockford communities. The funeral homes have seen updated merchandising and product offerings, more ways to personalize services as well as updates to the facilities and grounds.    

With 25 years of experience, Sean worked for and managed several funeral homes of various sizes in both large and small communities before coming to Van Wert. He holds the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. This certification distinguishes Sean among his peers within the funeral service profession as he voluntarily continues his education to exceed the highest standards of care that far surpass what the funeral service licensing board in Ohio requires. Sean has committed to a program of lifelong learning to serving his community with the level of excellence expected of a CFSP.

A graduate from Ohio University and Miami-Dade College School of Funeral Science, Sean holds degrees in Funeral Science and Technical Applied Studies. Sean is a member of the Van Wert Optimist Club, a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and is active in the Ohio Funeral Directors Association. He is married to the love of his life, Heather. Together they have triplets, Hadley, Holden and Hudson. They are members of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. 

When not hard at work, Sean enjoys traveling, home improvement projects and planning for the next big adventure with the wife and kids.  

Niki Gearhart is a licensed funeral director in Ohio, as well as holding a license in Virginia.  With the retirement of Marcia Ripley, Niki joined the staff of Ketcham Ripley, Alspach Gearhart, and Gearhart Sauer on June 1, 2021, to assist with serving the families of the Mercer County and Van Wert communities.

Niki was born and raised in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the daughter of a first-generation funeral director.  Niki earned an Associate’s Degree from Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia.  She went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  While at CCMS, Niki began dating Andy Gearhart, and they married the year following graduation.

Since 2002, Niki as worked as a case manager and crisis worker at Westwood Behavioral Health Center in Van Wert.  She continues to assist at Westwood as her funeral home responsibilities allow.

Andy and Niki have two daughters, Alexa and Sophie.  They are members of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.  When not working, Niki enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending her daughters’ athletic events, and traveling.

Heather Sauer joined the staff of Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in 2022 and serves as office manager. She is tasked with the day-to-day operations of the business office as well as assisting with funeral services and visitations. In addition to the triplets, Hadley, Holden and Hudson, Heather has three adult sons, Jake, Logan and Chandler Bobbitt as well as a grandson, Isaac. Even though she attended The Ohio State University, she will always cheer for her beloved LSU Tigers. In her spare time, Heather is an award winning/published photographer.

Stuart Wyatt provides service to AGFH families as a certified funeral celebrant. He has training in traditional religious services as well as secular memorials. In addition, Stuart is a licensed crematory operator and provides support to the operations of the funeral home. Stuart is a lifelong resident of the area leaving only to attend The Ohio State University in Columbus. In his off time he enjoys reading, podcasts and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Amy, have 3 children Noah, Alex and Lily.