Edward J. Tatko, Funeral Director and Supervisor
Ed has served as the firm’s supervisor for 30 years and has been a licensed funeral director for more than 35 years. He is a native of Pittsburgh – growing up in the Carrick area. He continues to live in the South Hills in Whitehall with his wife, Donna, of nearly 30 years. Ed attended Carrick High School and then Purdue University. He graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1970 and became a licensed funeral director in 1971. In 1972, Ed became a partner in the original Cieslak Funeral Home with his aunt, Mara Cieslak, thus updating the name to Cieslak & Tatko Funeral Home. In 1979, Ed became president and supervisor of the newly incorporated Cieslak & Tatko Funeral Home, Inc. Ed is currently mentoring his daughter, Laura, to become the firm’s third generation funeral director.

Stephen D. Gilbert, Funeral Director
Steve has been a licensed funeral director since 1993, which is also when he began working at the firm. After graduating from Brentwood High School, Steve attended California University of Pennsylvania. He then went on to attend the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he is currently a clinical instructor. Steve grew up in Brentwood and currently resides in Whitehall with his wife and two children.

Laura M. Tatko-Diamond, Funeral Director
Laura has worked at her family’s firm in various capacities all of her life. She graduated from Baldwin High School in 2000 and in 2004 from Penn State University, majoring in public relations and minoring in business. Most recently, she graduated magna cum laude from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2007, where she also served as the class vice president. Laura became a licensed funeral director in November 2008—the third generation in her family. She is also on the Board of Trustees for the Allegheny County Funeral Directors Association. Laura currently lives in Whitehall with her husband.

Donna J. Tatko, Office Manager
Donna has been with the firm since marrying funeral director, Ed Tatko, in 1980. Handling the firm’s general accounting and payroll, Donna also manages the overall décor of the funeral home itself. She is responsible for the building’s recent aesthetic update. Donna is originally from South Park, where she graduated from South Park High School. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University. Currently, Donna lives in Whitehall with her husband Ed. She enjoys biking, golfing and spending time with family.