Our Team
Directors
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Douglas A. Fiery, CFSP
Owner/Director
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Kaitlin M. Zaffaroni Suter
Funeral Director
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Joshua B. Stevenson
Funeral Director
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Douglas A. Fiery, CFSP
Owner/Director
Doug has been a funeral director and licensed mortician since 1984. He is certified as a Funeral Service Practitioner through the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Doug is also a member of the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association (MSFDA) and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). Doug is licensed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Upon establishing the funeral home in 1992, Doug has made it his goal to serve the residents of Washington County and beyond by helping to make life’s most difficult task easier. He strives to serve each family with kindness, compassion, and attention to detail.
A graduate of Smithsburg High School and lifelong resident of Washington County, Doug is deeply committed to serving his community.
Doug has served on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Washington County where he also served as a Big to two young men in the program. He has served on the boards of Hospice of Washington County, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of Washington County, Inc., and the North Hagerstown High School Athletic Boosters Association. Currently Doug serves on the boards of The Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation, Inc., and Washington County Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
A lifelong member of a Washington County Lutheran church, Doug served over 20 years as a youth leader. Doug found great enjoyment in spending four summers volunteering with the youth group as they participated in Appalachia Service Project (ASP) Christian ministry – a ministry that repaired and replaced homes in Central Appalachia.
In addition to his faith, Doug’s family is especially important to him. Doug and his wife, Julie, have two children, Mandy, and Andrew. Doug enjoys spending time with his family, whether it is cruising on the Chesapeake Bay, boating at Lake Anna, Virginia, or traveling anywhere there is water!
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Kaitlin M. Zaffaroni Suter
Funeral Director
Katie is a lifelong resident of Washington County, graduating from Williamsport High School in 2004. She earned an Associate degree in Mortuary Science from Community College of Baltimore County – Catonsville in 2007. She has been employed with Doug since 2006 when she started her apprenticeship. Katie is a member of the MSFDA and the NFDA. Katie is licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Due to personal losses in her life, Katie understands the importance of funeral traditions, focusing on the personal elements of each funeral. Her family, religion and spirituality have supported her passion of caring for the families she serves.
Committed to her community involvement, Katie has presented informational talks, promoting a better understanding of the funeral industry. She has become well versed in the many services available.
Katie currently resides in Clear Spring, MD with her husband Ryan and their sons, Jase, and Cale. Her special interests include camping, hosting parties, baking, DIY projects and enjoying the company of her friends.
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Joshua B. Stevenson
Funeral Director
Josh is from Smithsburg Maryland and currently still lives in the area. Having grown-up next to the local funeral home, Josh became interested in the industry and felt called to pursue this as his career.
Josh began working in the industry in 2014 and earned his Mortuary Science Associate of Applied Science from Community College of Baltimore County – Catonsville in 2016. In 2017, Josh completed his state and national requirements and became a licensed funeral director. Josh joined the staff at the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home in 2019.
Josh, along with his wife Debbie, have two sons, Grayson, and Ezra. He enjoys spending his free time with his family, being outside, enjoying baseball games, and watching movies. Josh’s inner nerd also enjoys comic books and video games.
Our Staff
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Richard Gilbert
Directors’ Assistant
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Karin Lytle
Musical Accompanist
Funeral Service Associate -
Susan Burkey
Funeral Service Associate
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Jeff Crist
Funeral Service Associate
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Gary Doub
Funeral Service Associate
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Mona Hardinge
Funeral Service Associate
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Richard Gilbert
Directors’ Assistant
Richard grew up in the mountains of Garrett County, Maryland, graduating from Southern Garrett County High School in 1983. He later received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Science from University of Maryland.
As a career firefighter, Richard continues to serve the Hagerstown Fire Department, adding to his over 30 years of service. He joined the staff of Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home in 2008 as Directors’ Assistant.
Richard is the proud father of two sons, Zachary, and Benjamin. He enjoys the outdoors and spends much of his free time mountain biking. Also, his faith is especially important to him as he strives to live each day as God directs.
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Karin Lytle
Musical Accompanist
Funeral Service AssociateKnowing that she wished to pursue a job utilizing music to help people, Karin attended Slippery Rock University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy.
While working as the Director of Activities at a nursing home in Illinois, Karin began her journey as a healer using music as a catalyst. Along with serving as an accompanist at several local churches, Karin joined our staff as a Musical Accompanist and Funeral Service Associate.
Karin feels God afforded her many experiences throughout her early years which prepared her for her life’s work. She is honored to be able to minister to people who are grieving by providing comfort through music. Karin uses music to provide inspiration, invoke memories, and help them say goodbye to their loved ones.
Karin has two wonderful sons, John, and Andy. As you can see, Karin has many interests outside of work:
- Her friends and family
- Acting
- Teach piano and guitar lessons
- Writing songs & learning to play different instruments
- Knitting
- Camping & kayaking
- Being a Steeler fan
- Meeting new people & making people laugh
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Susan Burkey
Funeral Service Associate
Susan has called Hagerstown home for the last 40 years. It is where she and her husband Danny have raised their 4 children and often receive visits from their six grandchildren. A native of Philadelphia, PA, Susan attended high school at Mt. St. Joseph Academy and received her degree from Gwynedd Mercy College.
She moved to Hagerstown with her first husband, Steve. After finding a welcoming and loving community, Susan faced the unexpected passing of Steve at 33, becoming a widow with three young children. As a result of this experience Susan has a special understanding and heart for ministering to people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Whether singing Funeral masses at St. Ann Church, where she is involved in several ministries, or greeting guests at the funeral home as a Funeral Service Associate, she walks with those who have experienced great loss.
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Jeff Crist
Funeral Service Associate
Jeff, a 1972 graduate of North Hagerstown High School, attended Hagerstown Junior College where he majored in Business. Jeff worked for six years with Community Rescue Squad as an EMT. He recently retired from Wantz Distributors where he worked in management and sales for 46 years. Upon retirement, Jeff joined our team as a Funeral Service Associate.
Jeff is a life member of the Western Maryland Sportsmen Club, as well as a member of the Masonic Lodge #217. Jeff is also a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he serves on the board of trustees.
Jeff, and his wife of over forty years, Carolyn, have two daughters and their husbands. They are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren. In his free time, Jeff enjoys being outdoors and traveling.
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Gary Doub
Funeral Service Associate
Born and raised in Hagerstown, Gary is proud to be the eighth generation of his family in the area.
Gary began his working career at the age of 17 with Robert Hall Clothes, Inc. and served as the last store manager, closing in 1977. He also worked for Fairchild Republic Engineering Publications, and Reliable Churchill Distributors Fine Wines and Spirits in Baltimore, retiring after 33 years.
Gary feels blessed to have joined the funeral home staff in September of 2015.
Gary and his wife, Susan (Shilling), are proud parents of three children (one deceased). They are also the proud grandparents of six awesome grandchildren.
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Mona Hardinge
Funeral Service Associate
Mona was born and raised in Hagerstown/Washington County Maryland being the sixth generation on her father’s side (Ralph Wallace) and the ninth generation on her mother’s side (Dorothy Poffenberger).
A graduate of North Hagerstown High School, Mona is the mother of four and the grandmother of six.
Mona is a beloved follower of Jesus Christ and of the Word (her favorite book). She has found that He has placed in her a servant’s heart as it is in serving others, especially in their time of need, that she feels most fulfilled and purposed.