Our Staff

Timothy P. Houser was born and raised in neighboring Tyrone, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where he attained a B.S. degree in music education, Tim’s first career was as a high school music teacher.  He graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1982. Tim has been affiliated with the Askew Funeral Home since his graduation from mortuary school and has been owner/president of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes' since 1986. 

"Using my experiences as a school teacher, it has been an important goal to provide different venues of educating my families of the value of the funeral and to reduce the fears and misconceptions that often surrounds the funeral and death." 

Mr. Houser is active in the community, he is the past president of the Ebensburg Business District Commission and a founding member of the Ebensburg Potatofest committee. He also serves as a second responder and cook for the Dauntless Fire Company, a volunteer at the Cambria County Fair Agricultural Building, and was awarded Ebensburg Borough’s “Volunteer of the Year” in 2019.  An avid collector, Tim enjoys a life membership to the Professional Car Society and was the designer, along with his son, of the popular die-cast hearse collection that the funeral home was known for in the 90’s.  Tim is a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule, as well as a former member of the Ebensburg Rotary Club where he served as a president and Paul Harris Fellow. Tim and his wife, Marianne, reside in Ebensburg and are the parents of four children, and the proud grandparents of four.

John Paul Houser serves as President and Owner, as well as Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director for The Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc. in Ebensburg and Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania.  John has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of the funeral industry.  He is a graduate of the Penn State University, Altoona Campus and a suma cum laude graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.  He has been invaluable in navigating a changing industry through such unprecedented times as the Covid-19 Pandemic, while maintaining the high quality of service the family business has become known for.  He is also President and long-time board member of the Ebensburg Mainstreet Partnership, a nonprofit that works to improve the vitality of Ebensburg’s business community through community events and coordination of grant funding.  Married to Vanessa K. Houser, they have two children, Sebastian 12, and Adelaide 9. When not working he enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors.

Mark E. Letzo was raised in neighboring New Germany, Pennsylvania and educated in the Ebensburg Schools. His hobbies include traveling, racquetball, and music. He attended St. Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania and is a 1991 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science where he served as class treasurer. Affiliated with the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes since his graduation from mortuary school, he has served as Supervisor of the Nanty Glo branch of Askew-Houser since 1993. 

"There is nothing more rewarding than helping the families we serve through the loss of a loved one. The personal relationships which are built by serving the community are invaluable."

Louise is a life-long resident of Ebensburg, and has been with the firm for 28 years.  She assists families with life insurance claims and other insurance/funeral pre-arrangement questions.  Louise has three grown children and one granddaughter.  She is in the office daily and is available to assist families in any way.

Funeral Intern