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From One Family to Another...

On July 10, 2008, the ownership of Panebaker Funeral Home in Hanover transferred from the family of Craig and Renate Johnston to the family of Mike and Kristin Newman. The Newmans thank Mr. and Mrs. Johnston for placing their trust and the trust of the families and community that they have served for so many years into their hands.

While new to Hanover, they are not new to Pennsylvania. Kristin grew up in Lancaster. The daughter of a minister, she learned the value of serving her community early in life. She graduated from Taylor University with a BS in Elementary Education and then obtained her AAS from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Before receiving her Pennsylvania funeral director’s license, Kristin was a licensed funeral director in North Carolina. It was there that Kristin met her husband, Mike, a third generation funeral director originally from Southwestern Virginia. Mike graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA, and has been a licensed funeral director for more than 20 years.

Together, they have served their community in many capacities. Both have held positions on the Boards of Directors of the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, the United Way, the Widowed Persons Service, and the Chamber of Commerce. Mike served two terms as President of the Cremation Association of North Carolina, an association dedicated to maintaining high standards for the funeral and cremation industry. They have also been active within their church, and participated in the activities of their sons’ schools.

The Newmans are very excited about continuing the tradition of providing caring service to the community of Hanover and the surrounding area. The Johnstons will assist with the transition, and together they will continue to help people through the difficult process of the loss of a loved one and to be directly involved in this wonderful community.

Panebaker Funeral Home has always taken great pride in working closely with families to create memorable and fitting remembrances of people’s lives, and Mike and Kristin feel privileged to be entrusted with such a legacy.

About the Johnstons:

A third-generation funeral director, Craig was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in the family funeral business, in Lansdowne, PA. He graduated from Widener University, Chester, PA in 1975, earning Bachelor degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. In 1978, Craig married Renate Hoch Johnston, who become his partner in the family business, and in 1979 graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, Inc., New York City, NY. The couple has two sons, Davis and Chris.

After purchasing the Panebaker Funeral Home in 1986, Craig and his family moved to Hanover, where they now call home. He is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot rating. Craig is a member and past officer of several professional aviation and community service organizations, and has dedicated his life to the funeral profession and the community that he is so proud to be a part of.