About Us

     Established in 1923 by J. Everett and Dolly (Fesler) Copher - Copher & Fesler Funeral Home began as a storefront funeral chapel in downtown Elwood. Sensing the need for an additional funeral home, Everett Copher ventured from his original vocation as a farmer to establish his own funeral parlor in 1923. Priding himself on honest dealings and treating each family in the same manner regardless of circumstance led to Everett’s overwhelming success in funeral service. As their family business grew, the Copher family needed more space and moved the business in 1930 to its present location in the spacious "Hupp" family residence on South Anderson Street. Living in the family quarters right above the funeral home gave them ready access to manage their business and raise their growing family.

Hupp Family Residence

     In 1944 - at the same time that the funeral home was continuing to grow - the Copher family suffered the loss of its founder, Everett Copher, who died unexpectedly on his farm at the edge of Elwood. At that time, the business became the responsibility of Everett’s wife, Dolly, and their eldest son, J. Phil Copher. Charles Copher, the couple’s 3rd son, later joined the family business after serving in the U.S. Army and attending mortuary college.

    Wayne Mosbaugh - a lifelong resident of the Aroma community - joined the staff of the funeral home as a licensed funeral director in 1963 following graduation from funeral service college in Indianapolis. Wayne's visible position as an E.M.T. and funeral director supported the continued success of the funeral home for over 50 years of devoted service. 

    Throughout the history of the firm, the funeral home was well-known for its 24-hour Ambulance service to the residents of Elwood and surrounding communities. Having the necessary equipment for the task, it was typical in those days for ambulances to be operated by local funeral homes. Although this was a demanding service in addition to the functions of the funeral home, many area families remember the valuable service provided by the Copher & Fesler ambulance staff. In a citywide agreement in 1981, ambulance service was dropped by the city’s funeral homes, and the Copher family donated its ambulance to the City of Elwood.

     In 1984, Phil Copher died unexpectedly leaving the ownership of the funeral home to his brother, Charles "Chuck" and his wife, Roberta "Bobbi" Copher. Charles and Roberta continued to grow the business with Roberta expanding and managing the funeral home’s pre-need program. In late 1998, lifelong Elwood resident and funeral director Corey May and his wife Sonya, joined the Copher family as owners and partners in the business. In 2002, the name of the funeral home was amended to Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home to reflect ownership by the May Family.

     Today, under the direction of Corey & Sonya May and their devoted staff - the funeral home continues to thrive with emphasis placed on the highest level of funeral care and attention to every detail. Without a doubt, the funeral home’s success today is a direct result of the hard work of many dedicated family members and staff in over 99 years of continuous service to the Elwood community. In a time when many funeral homes are owned by large, conglomerate corporations, Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home is proud to remain 100% family-owned and operated by the May family in their hometown of Elwood.