Our Staff

Justin G. Herman, Roxanne R. Herman

CFSP, CCO Funeral Directors/Owners

Justin and Roxanne Herman are pleased to have purchased the former Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home on February 1, 2012. Justin is the son of Ronald and Elaine (Knuth) Herman.  His family has called the Wisconsin Rapids area home for over five generations.

Justin was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids. He graduated from Lincoln High School and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. Justin has served the Wisconsin Rapids area as a licensed funeral director for over 16 years. He is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice,  past president of the Wisconsin Valley Funeral Directors Association, and served on the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors having been elected by his peers to represent the Wisconsin Valley District at the state level.   Justin is an active member of the Wisconsin Rapids community and has served in leadership roles with many area service organizations.  

Roxanne was born and raised in Fifield, Wisconsin.  She graduated from Park Falls High School and moved to Wisconsin Rapids in 1996 and is proud to call Wisconsin Rapids her home.  Roxanne earned a degree in Mortuary Science from DMACC in Iowa in 2015.  She has been with the funeral home since 2012.  Roxanne earned an associates degree in both nursing an paramedic medicine from MSTC in Wisconsin Rapids.  Prior to joining the funeral home staff, she worked as an operating room nurse for several years.  Roxanne proudly served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for six years as a military police officer.  Roxanne is a member of Elmer Blonien American Legion Post 485 in Rudolph and served as the past adjutant for American Legion Post 9 in Wisconsin Rapids.

Justin and Roxanne live in the town of Grand Rapids with their two children, Makayla and Matthew.  They are active members of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids and the Grand Rapids Lions Club.

In their free time, the Herman's enjoy spending precious time together with family.  They love to travel and spend time outdoors hunting, fishing and camping.  Justin and Roxanne also enjoy attending their children's activities and an occasional Packer game.

Jeff Hron

Licensed Funeral Director

Jeff was born in Anchorage Alaska but grew up in Windsor, Wisconsin. He graduated from De Forest High School.  He received his marketing degree from MATC in Madison and his Degree in Mortuary Science from MATC in Milwaukee.  He began his funeral service career in 1996 working at a funeral home in the Madison area for 22 years before the opportunity to work in pathology at UW Hospital in Madison for the last 4 years.  He has always maintained his funeral directors license by assisting several local funeral homes when they could use an extra hand.  His family has always had a connection to the area, as they built a family cabin in 1973 in Arkdale/Rome that Jeff still owns. It has always been his dream to live in the big woods! He met his wife Candi in grade school where they were good friends and began dating later in life and married in 2000. They do not have any children but currently have 3 dogs, Mr. Beanie, Pixie and Trina and two cats, Saspurrilla and Buddy. They are all rescues and the light of their lives.  Jeff and Candi have always been involved in the community as members of the Coalition of the Aging by assisting with fundraising and projects; Optimist International and Rotary. Jeff was very active in South Central Funeral Director Association serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and President.   Jeff and Candi enjoy spending time in the woods, hiking, at the lake, car cruising in one of their old cars or just relaxing on the deck.  They are really looking forward to getting involved in the Wisconsin Rapids area. They have made many friends here over the years and we are excited to finally be able to call Wisconsin Rapids home.  

Brian Krzykowski

Apprentice Funeral Director

Brian Krzykowski was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids, joined the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home staff in November 2022.  He serves as an Apprentice Funeral Director.

Brian joined the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in November of 2022 after a 28 year career working at the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department where he retired in April of 2022 as the Deputy Chief of Police.

Brian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration.  In 2022 he completed the necessary training and requirements to become and Apprentice Funeral Director and he’s proud to continue his service to his community in his new capacity.

He is an active member at the Crossview Church in Wisconsin Rapids.  His hobbies include weightlifting, kayaking, fishing, and vacationing with his family.

Craig Timm

Funeral Director Assistant-Licensed Preplanning Consultant

Craig Timm, a native of Wisconsin Rapids, joined the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home staff in October, 2020, and is serving as a funeral assistant and a licensed agent for pre-need burial agreements to assist families with  pre-need services.

Timm joins Herman-Taylor after a 25-year career in the paper industry.  He was regional manager of public affairs for Domtar Corporation, assisting facilities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio.  As a registered lobbyist in several states, he worked with elected officials on the local, state and federal levels.  Prior to Domtar, he was Public Information and Foundation director at Mid-State Technical College.

He holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana and a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Colorado State University – Pueblo.

He is active at St. John Lutheran Church (Kellner) and many service organizations.  His hobbies include auctions, exercise and a variety of other things.

Craig is following in his father Reuben Timm’s footsteps with service in the funeral industry.  Reuben was an assistant at Taylor Funeral Home for over 50 years.  

Heidi Born-Smith

Office Manager

Heidi has an extensive background in office, executive management, business owner and GM, and marketing along the way as well.  She attended Mid-State Technical College for Business Administration and Eastern Airlines School of Travel.  Heidi is the friendly voice that will most likely greet you when you call the office.

She brings with her an extensive background in daily operations and customer service from corporate environments as well as health care.  She is excited to bring these experiences and enthusiasm to the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home team.

Outside of the office Heidi is involved in several organizations.  She has had several articles published in various publications both nationally and internationally.  Heide lives outside of Wisconsin Rapids with her husband Eric on a small hobby farm and raises Friesian horses which are native to the Netherlands.  She and Eric compete in carriage driving throughout the Midwest.

Heidi is also passionate about her long-haired Dachshunds Oskar, Ellie, and Luca.  When they aren’t involved in something related to animals, Heidi and Eric enjoy traveling to all parts of the world.  They are the proud parents of two grown children Ashley and Christopher.

Ron and Elaine Herman

Funeral Director Assistants

Ron and Elaine Herman enjoy assisting the staff at the funeral home wherever they are needed.  Ron is retired from Consolidated Papers/Stora-Enso/New Page where he worked in maintenance for over 43 years.  Elaine is retired from Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools where she worked as an exceptional educational needs aid for over 20 years.  Both are lifelong residents of Wisconsin Rapids. 

Ron uses his maintenance skills to keep things operational in the funeral home building.  You will find Elaine busy coordinating and serving funeral lunches and life celebration events in the funeral home's luncheon and reception area.