About Us

Staff bio goes here

A lifelong resident of Slatington, PA, Nate Horvath takes great pride in being the new steward of Harding Funeral Home. Born and raised here, the son of James and Kim Horvath, he graduated from Allentown Central Catholic in 2002. Answering a deep calling to serve his community, Nate pursued a career in funeral services, completing the Funeral Service Program and joining the Harding Funeral Home team in 2006.

Over the years, Nate has cultivated a profound understanding of the sensitive nature of loss and the importance of providing compassionate care during difficult times. As a licensed funeral director and past president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association (EPFDA) in 2011 and 2019, he brings both experience and empathy to his role.

Nate's commitment extends beyond the walls of Harding Funeral Home. He is an active member of Assumption BVM Catholic Church, the Slatington Lions Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a former member of the Rotary Club of Slatington, demonstrating his dedication to enriching the lives of his neighbors.

When away from work, Nate cherishes moments spent with his wife and pets, finding balance in his love for travel, outdoor activities like golf, running and biking, and embracing the simple joys of small-town life. It's these passions and values that inform his genuine warmth and unwavering commitment to serving his community with integrity and compassion.

At Harding Funeral Home, Nate stands ready to guide families through loss with empathy, understanding, and a deep respect for the traditions and wishes of each individual. He welcomes you to reach out anytime to experience firsthand the care and dedication that define Harding Funeral Home under his leadership.

Born and raised in Shillington, Amber’s journey into funeral service was deeply personal, sparked by the transformative experience of her father’s funeral. This moment ignited a passion for deathcare that has shaped her life's path ever since. Amber’s deep empathy for others led her to pursue a degree in Psychology at Kutztown University, followed by an Associate's in Funeral Service Education from Northampton Community College. It was during her time at Northampton that Amber met her future partner, Nate, setting the stage for both a personal and professional journey.

Throughout her career, Amber has honed her skills in funeral service, serving families in Whitehall, Palmerton, and beyond. Yet it was the close-knit community of Slatington that truly captured her heart, where she chose to put down roots and become an integral part of the fabric of the community.

A lifelong learner, Amber’s passion for holistic health led her to earn a Master’s in Integrative Health from Georgian Court University. It was here that she discovered the power of breathwork, becoming a certified breathwork facilitator trained in the Introspective Breathwork™ modality. Today, she incorporates this transformative practice into her work at the funeral home, offering grief breathwork circles and healing breathwork sessions to help individuals process loss in a gentle and mindful way. Amber believes in the power of conscious breathing as a tool for emotional release, healing, and connection, making it an integral part of the support she provides to grieving families.

Amber is a passionate advocate for integrating mindful living into deathcare practices. She is a strong proponent of green burials and the death positive movement, encouraging open conversations about death, loss, and sustainability. Her work bridges the gap between traditional funeral service practices and a generation that values conscious choices, sustainability, and holistic well-being.

In addition to her work at the funeral home, Amber serves as a full-time Assistant Professor of Funeral Service Education, where she passes on her knowledge, compassion, and dedication to the next generation of funeral directors. Amber takes great pride in shaping the future of the profession, instilling in her students the values of empathy, integrity, and care for families in times of need.

Outside of her professional life, Amber finds peace in nature. Whether it’s road biking along scenic trails, hiking in the mountains, or nourishing her body with healthy, locally-sourced foods, she embraces the simplicity and beauty of the world around her. She also enjoys spending time with her three feline companions—Nix, Nutz, and Nelly—and finds solace in her faith, serving as a Eucharistic minister at Assumption BVM Church in Slatington.

Amber is not only a skilled funeral director but a neighbor, a confidante, and an advocate for mindful living and compassionate deathcare. She is committed to supporting families through life's inevitable transitions, offering both a steady hand in times of grief and a spirit of celebration in honoring loved ones. Amber is here to walk alongside you with understanding, grace, and holistic care.

Wesley " Wes" Beltz retired in 2020 with 37 years as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service.  He is married to Maria, they have two daughters, Allison and Laura.   He enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, camping in their travel trailer, and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Rich has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 47 years now, and lives in North Catasauqua.   Their son, Anthony and his three children live in Concord, NC, and their daughter Alison and husband Brian and two children, live in Catasauqua, PA.   Rich retired for the United States Postal Service after 30 years of service in New York state.   He operated a local crematory here in PA for 13 years.   Rich started working with Harding Funeral home in 2018.  

Larry Merkle has lived in Walnutport his entire life.  He has been married to his wife Doneta for 55 years.  They have two sons and six grandchildren.  After graduating from Slatington High School in 1964, he began working at Bethlehem Steel.  Five years later, he took employment with Pfizer at their pigment plant in Slatington.  Retiring after 35 years of service from Pfizer in 2004, he began working for the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit transporting pre-school children and in 2012, started working as a funeral assiatnt for Harding Funeral Home.  Larry is active in his community.  He coached Booster Club Football, served on the Walnutprot Water and Sewer Authority, was a medical van volunteer for Northern Valley EMS, a trustee for the Walnutport Canal Association, and is a lifetime member of the Diamond Fire Company in Walnutport.   His is a super avid Penn State fan and loves to vacation to Disney World.

Craig has been married to his wife Susan for 45 years and has 2 children, Marc & Katie.  They have  5 wonderful grandchildren.  He obtained a degree from Bloomsburg University & then worked for 39 years at Air Products & Chemicals in research and development.  Craig retired in 2015 and has been working as a funeral assistant with Harding Funeral Home since 2016.

Brian is married to Cathy (Evans) Williams and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.   He has a Masters in Ed., B.S Ed.  Brian is a member of St. John's UCC, Slatington.  He enjoys music, sports, family activities, and Welsh American hsitory.   Brian and his wife Cathy, reside in Schnecksville.