Our Staff
Licensed Staff:
All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.
Michael A. Lehman
Owner, Funeral Director & Manager
Michael serves as president and owner of the funeral home and has been a resident of Ionia county his entire life. He graduated from St. Patrick Catholic School in 1986 and from Wayne State University in 1993. Michael was a licensed funeral director with the Tiffany Funeral Home and Manager of Estes-Leadley Funeral Home, both in Lansing, before starting the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Homes in Portland and Ionia. He is a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland, a member of the Knights of Columbus #2168, past president of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District #5, and served as a Board of Director on the Portland Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors at Sparrow - Ionia Hospital and the Hospital Foundation. He is married to Lisa (Schrauben) Lehman and together they have two children, a daughter, Ellesse and a son, Brayton.
Ellesse D. Lehman-Lay
Funeral Director, Partner & Manager
Elle has lived in Portland her entire life and grew up in funeral service. She is a second-generation licensed funeral director and proudly continues to serve at Lehman Funeral Homes with her father, Michael Lehman. After graduating from St. Patrick Catholic School in 2013, Elle attended Wayne State University, graduating with her Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science in 2016. She is a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland, is a board member of Sparrow - Ionia Hospital, and a member of the Ionia Area Chamber Ambassadors. Elle married her husband, Collin in 2019 and they reside in Portland with their dog, Dex.
Keith E. Neller
Funeral Director
Keith has been a resident of Portland his entire life. He graduated from Portland High School, attended Central Michigan University, and graduated from Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in 1960. Following his military service, Keith joined his father, Harvey Neller as a third generation owner of the Neller Funeral Home. He is a member of the Portland United Methodist Church, a member of the Portland Foundation for Public Education, Portland Civic Club, Past President of Michigan Funeral Directors Association District #5, serving on the Board of Directors from 1984-1986, and is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. He is married to Rosemary (Whiting) Neller and together they have two children and one granddaughter.
STAFF ASSOCIATES:
Although they are not licensed funeral directors, these staff members are vitally important to the operation of our firm. These individuals make it possible for us to professionally coordinate funerals with the quality of service our community has come to expect from us.
Rosemary Neller
Funeral Service Associate
Lee Lampman
Funeral Service Associate
Steve Croel
Funeral Service Associate
Pastor Robert Beckett
Funeral Service Associate
Doug Logel
Funeral Service Associate
Pat Peabody
Funeral Service Associate
Support Staff
Typically not seen during the funeral, the behind-the-scenes presence of support staff is nonetheless critical to the day-to-day operation of our facilities. Our support staff plays an important role in ensuring our high standard of service. We are proud of their dedication and commitment.
Brayton Lehman
Director of Maintenance
Carole Schrauben
Funeral Service Associate
Susan Heminger
Funeral Service Associate
Karen Spitzley
Funeral Service Associate
Eileen Hattis
Funeral Service Associate
Tom Hattis
Director of Nutrition
Tom Lehman
Funeral Service Associate