29-04-2025
Primary election 2025: 2 candidates running for Berks County coroner
Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination to be Berks County coroner.
Local funeral director Matt Stitzel will face incumbent John Fielding, who is seeking a second term in the post, in the May 20 primary.
The coroner investigates deaths independent of the police. The office also rules on the cause and manner of sudden, unexplained or unnatural deaths, as well as natural deaths that occur outside the presence of medical officials.
The county coroner serves a four-year term and currently receives an annual salary of $101,694.
We asked the candidates to respond to two questions.
Question 1: Why do you believe you are the right person for this position?
Question 2: What is the biggest challenge facing the office today and what would you do to address that challenge if elected?
Matt Stitzel
Matt Stitzel, candidate for Berks County coroner
Background: Stitzel owns and operates two Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory locations in Berks County. He has also served as a firefighter and engineer with Spring Township and Goodwill fire companies, and is an advisory board member for Caron Treatment Centers.
Age: 54.
Website:
Response 1: My character and experiences have prepared me to excel in this role. As a funeral director, I have been available 24 hours a day for over 30 years. This demonstrates not only my commitment, but also my proven ability to show up when needed, earning the trust of my community. My qualifications, knowledge and perspective make me uniquely positioned for this role.
As a spiritual saying goes, 'A shepherd should smell like their sheep.' This resonates deeply with how I view this role — being involved, present and connected.
My fundamental obligation is to lead with the utmost integrity, while also running an efficient office that delivers the necessary improvements our residents deserve. While the current coroner views this position primarily as an administrative role, I plan to lead from the front. With the coroner's office being relatively small, I believe it's crucial to take a hands-on approach.
Families deserve to experience dignity and care, starting with how they are notified in times of loss. Knowing what to say — and equally important, who to say it to — is critical for both families and the media. This is an area where the office can improve, and I am committed to filling that void.
Response 2: Staffing and the quality of personnel are critical challenges facing not only this office. To address these issues, I would prioritize building a team that is both highly skilled and deeply committed to serving the community with compassion and professionalism.
A workplace begins with strong and proven leadership, creating an environment where employees feel valued and motivated. I would lead by example, as I have for over 30 years, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration and accountability. By providing support, I would ensure that every deputy is empowered to perform at their highest level.
When recruiting staff, I would focus on qualities like empathy, compassion, critical thinking and composure in high-pressure situations — traits that are essential. To strengthen the team, I would conduct an assessment of staffing levels, identifying gaps in expertise or coverage and use this analysis to optimize performance.
Additionally, I would implement training programs in forensic science, communication and crisis management to prepare staff for the demands of the role. I am committed to making this office a place where employees are not only ready but happy to serve the residents. By cultivating pride and purpose, the team will deliver exceptional service with dignity and compassion.
John Fielding
John Fielding
Background: Fielding has served as coroner since 2021. Prior to winning election, he was a private practice attorney. He had also served as a member of Mount Penn Borough Council and Antietam School Board.
Age: 71.
Response 1: As the incumbent officeholder, and under my management, we have successfully brought more automation to the office.
Further, our investigations have successfully identified those who were previously unidentified, the most notable being Nicholas Grubb who was previously unidentified for 47 years, and whose story garnered worldwide media attention for my office. We have also successfully found a final resting place for unclaimed infants, and, through the good offices of Veterans Making a Difference, unclaimed veterans were buried with appropriate honors at Fort Indiantown Gap. This is in addition to our regular daily tasks of identifying and investigating the cause and matter of deaths in Berks County.
We have done this while keeping the costs of operation low for the taxpayers of Berks County.
Response 2: The biggest challenge continues to be performing the legally mandated duties of the office with minimum cost to the taxpayers. We will continue to keep a sharp eye on expenses while performing the competent job that the office has performed since I took office in 2022.
