Community Involvement

   In February of 2020, Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home was honored to be awarded "Elwood Business of the Year" by the Elwood Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented during the annual chamber dinner and banquet in recognition of 96 years of continuous service to the Elwood community. Humorist and television news personality Dick Wofsie was the featured speaker for the evening. A brief history of the funeral home was presented and the entire staff was recognized at the annual event.

     The Copher-Fesler-May family is deeply rooted in the Elwood community and suports a variety of community projects. We are proud to be an annual sponsor for the Elwood High School Variety Show in order to keep a professional level of sound and lighting for the program. For many years, we have also been a program sponsor for the Elwood Elk's Lodge Cancer Fund Dance - which funds cancer research in cooperation with the Elk's Lodge. Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for this worthy cause as a result of the annual local fundraiser.

     Copher-Fesler-May funeral Home has been called upon to direct and conduct many high-profile and notable funerals in the Elwood Community. These services have often been featured on television news channels and media outlets. A recent funeral service for a U.S. Army Veteran with no family attracted news attention from all over the state of Indiana. Over 250 people turned out for the funeral for veteran George Green, who had been awarded 4 Bronze Stars for his valor in combat during the Korean War. The funeral home staff was honored to shine a positive light on the caring efforts of the Elwood community.

     Several years ago, the Elwood community was in jeopardy of losing it's annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration. Corey May and John Moser, with the help of some other business people, quickly came together that year to save the program with an overnight community sponsorship campaign from local businesses. Since that time, Corey and devoted members of the Elwood Optimist Club, have kept the Fireworks Celebration fully funded each year with continued sponsorship from local residents, service clubs, and businesses.

     One of our funeral home's largest community events is the Annual Remembrance and Candle-Lighting Service hosted by the funeral home each year. For over 21 years, Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home has organized, funded, and produced an annual remembrance service for residents of the community who have experienced a loss. The purpose of the service is to provide a comforting evening for families to come together during the holiday season - to uplift the memory of their loved ones - with others who have experienced a loss. The annual service, which is held early in the month of December, now attracts nearly 200 people each year.

     Corey is currently active in the Elwood Community Development Corporation (ECDC) as Vice-President of the organization and formerly served as President for many years. ECDC is a non-profit entity founded by business owners in the 1960's and has funded countless projects and properties in Elwood to assist the city in long-term growth. There's hardly an area of Elwood that hasn't been improved by ECDC efforts, and Corey has been honored to be a part of this organization. ECDC has developed properties and projects that include "Hope Center", "Heritage Center", new Tornado Warning Sirens for the community, the "Chamber & ECDC Center", Kadet Manufacturing, and received grants for numerous city improvements.

     Sonya May stays very active in the community through her membership and support of the Elwood Landon Guild for St. Vincent Mercy Hospital. The guild provides financial support and needed equipment for various hospital projects that would otherwise not be possible for the hospital and their budget restrictions. She is also proud to be a past-president and active member of the Delta Theta Tau Sorority, which funds numerous scholarships for graduating High School students each year.