Months of campaigning are over, and the stress of Election Day is in the rearview mirror.
Now comes the real work.
Inside a courtroom in the Berks County Courthouse on Tuesday, the men and women who won election to county offices this year were officially sworn in. It was a moment of celebration, of reflection, of gratitude.
And President Judge M. Theresa Johnson, who presided over the ceremony, explained that it’s also a moment to prepare for the future — not just for those elected but for their support systems, as well.
“To all the friends and families of those who are being sworn in today, I know that running for election can be stressful and it takes a lot of courage,” she said. “I ask you to continue giving that support to these individuals as they embark on new careers.”
Five county officials were sworn in during the ceremony. Prothonotary Jonathan Del Collo, who won reelection in November, was sworn in Monday.
Jonathan Del Collo
Matthew Stitzel
For the past three decades, Stitzel has served as a funeral director in Berks County. He said he thinks his experience serving thousands of families in their time of need will serve him well as county coroner.
Stitzel, who bested incumbent John Fielding in the Republican primary last spring and was unopposed in the general election, was surrounded by friends and family when he took his oath of office.
He said his desire to serve as coroner is built on a foundation of years of dedicated service, a deep respect for the community and a genuine desire to help those who are navigating their way through the loss of a loved one.
Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel, second from right, and his wife Rebecca, third from left, flank Eleni V. Dimitriou-Geishauser, a Berks County Court judge and family friend, along with the couple’s children Jacob, Sarah and Matt following a swearing-in ceremony at the courthouse on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
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.
“I feel honored to be chosen to serve in this role,” he said following the ceremony. “I’m looking forward to showing the residents of Berks County all that I can do in this office.”
Stitzel said his transition began shortly after the May primary so he feels he has a good handle on what to expect when he officially takes over the office next week.
“I’m excited to get started,” he said.
Mandy Miller
Miller made history Tuesday as she was sworn in as the first woman to be elected sheriff in Berks.
To illustrate the significance of the moment, Miller was flanked by her mother and daughter as she took the oath of office.
“This has been a long time coming,” the Republican said after the ceremony. “Every decision I make is guided by my daughter and I wanted to show her that something like this can be done no matter how many people may tell you that it cannot.”
While Miller has been doing the job for a little more than a year at this point, she said it feels good knowing that voters have the same confidence in her that Eric Weaknecht had in appointing her to the post when he gave up the position to be a state representative.
Miller has worked in the office since 1999, serving as the chief deputy for five years before being appointed to lead the office by Weaknecht.
The office is responsible for elements of criminal court, civil court, enforcement of state crimes and motor vehicle codes and has a firearms licensing and enforcement function. It is staffed with 110 employees organized into six divisions: civil, court, patrol, central booking, K-9 and warrants.
Mitchell Darcourt
Darcourt was sworn in to a post he’s quite familiar with.
The Republican has served as treasurer since 2024, having been elected to fill the remainder of the term of Dennis Adams following his retirement. On Tuesday, he was sworn in for his first full term.
Mitch Darcourt
“It’s a great feeling to be able to work for the taxpayers of Berks County for another four years,” he said. “Everything has been running smoothly since I first took office, and I hope to continue doing what I do for the people.”
The county treasurer is responsible for collecting taxes and managing county bank accounts; issuing dog and hunting licenses; administering the state small games of chance law; and participating on the county pension board.
Darcourt said that during his short time in office he has worked diligently to modernize financial processes, enhance accessibility and provide exceptional service to county residents.
Eric Taylor
There are parts of Taylor’s new job that will be very familiar to him.
Donning a black robe, sitting behind the bench in a courtroom — those are things the former district judge knows all about. But now, he’ll be doing them in a different venue.
Berks County Court Judge Eric J. Taylor stands with his wife, Terrie, and children Saoirse, 12, and Deaglan, 10, along with his father ,Tom, and District Judge Carissa L. Johnson following a swearing-in ceremony at the courthouse on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
After serving the communities of West Reading and Wyomissing as a district judge for the past seven years, he will fill a vacancy on the bench in Berks County Court left open by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey Sprecher in July 2023.
“I’m really looking forward to serving in this new way,” he said.
His legal career has spanned nearly two decades, including more than 12 years as a Berks County assistant public defender representing clients in criminal cases. He also handled matters like violations of protection-from-abuse orders, child support violations and juvenile delinquency.
Taylor said he’s excited to apply his experience for justice at a higher level and tackle different kinds of cases.
He will begin his tenure by handling cases in the family court division. That includes granting protection-from-abuse orders, overseeing divorce proceedings and hearing child custody cases.
Colleen Dugan Schearer
With nearly 25 years of experience in the legal profession, Schearer said she’s looking forward to starting a new career as a district judge.
Colleen Dugan Schearer
The former Berks County assistant district attorney will be heading behind the bench to serve the residents of Laureldale and Muhlenberg Township after winning election to replace Dean Patton.
“I’m happily anticipating a new start,” she said after being sworn in. “It’s scary to start a new career in my 50s, but I’m also excited because it’s going to be different.”
District judges issue arrest and search warrants, oversee arraignments, set bail and hold criminal preliminary hearings. They also hear complaints in civil matters, mediate landlord-tenant disputes and perform weddings.
Schearer said she sees this new post as a continuation of a career based on public service and advocating for others.
“I think people forget that prosecutors represent the victims who are at their most vulnerable and we are constantly negotiating with defense attorneys to arrive at a fair resolution,” she said. “With that being said, I think being a judge will be very similar to what I have always done.”