Our staff's commitment to you
Our staff is committed to providing support, compassion, information, and direction as needed to all members of our community, their families, and friends who are dealing with loss and grief.
Koehler Funeral Home Staff
Thayer Family: Evan, Layla, Kendall, and Kramer
Evan G. Thayer grew up in a family-owned and operated funeral home in Indiana, watching his parents work visitations and funerals from his perch on the landing between the funeral home area and the apartment upstairs where they lived. It was from that time and vantage point that he was raised a funeral director.
After graduation, he attended Mid-America Mortuary School where he obtained his degree and was licensed. He found his home on Main Street at a young age and has been in service to the community ever since. He is married to Layla C. Thayer and they are the parents of two funeral home kids, Kendall and Kramer. They are active members of Gospel Mission Church and are involved in several civic and fraternal associations in the community.
He enjoys good cigars, spending time on the river with his family, and telling stories, often answering questions that should take a few words in the form of a ten- or fifteen- minute story quoting family, mentors, and historical figures. His wife, Layla, is active with the local volunteer fire department, is an EMT, and a deputy coroner. Together as a family, they serve the community and consider it a privilege to do so.
Cecil M. Gross was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana. He earned his Associates in Science from Mid-America College of Funeral Service. Cecil now resides in Chandler with his wife, Lea, and their children, Hamilton and Elanor. In his free time he enjoys watching Indy Car Racing, golfing, and spending time with his family. He is also a member of the Rockport Masonic Lodge 112.
Cecil is a wholehearted funeral director that consistently ensures each element of a funeral service is arranged with precision. He is compassionate and caring at all times with every family he serves.
Alec was raised on the west side of Evansville, Indiana and is a graduate of Reitz High School. He attended Mid-America College of Funeral Service and also carries a Visual Communications degree in Photography. Alec worked in mortuary service in Louisville, Kentucky until deciding to come home to serve our community here in Warrick County.
He enjoys living in the country with his beautiful wife, Arielle; dog and cat and writing music & poetry. In his free time, he and his wife venture out for enjoyable rides on his Harley Davidson and in their custom van.
John was raised in Western Kentucky and has been a licensed funeral director for over 18 years. He attended the University of Kentucky and graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral services in 1999 and proudly served as President of his class.
John resides in Newburgh with his wife, Vicki and they have four daughters, three son-in-law and three grandsons. John attends the New Hope Community Church, is a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Sons of Legion, Big Brother/Big Sister program, Local 4850 and has also been a firefighter with the Boonville Fire Department for over 15 years.
John serves families with empathy, compassion and helps families find serenity and peacefulness in their time of need. He is friendly and has an outgoing nature with attention to detail.
Having worked in various other fields such as corrections, juvenile justice, and with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Ben brings his skills of compassion and caring to the families he serves.
Ben spends time with his lovely wife and their children when away from serving our community. In his spare time, he enjoys training and teaching in the martial arts and the discipline and character development that that brings, as well as, devoting time to numerous charitable projects such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the World Christian Tae Kwon Do Mission, Church on the Street in Atlanta, Georgia, and stopping domestic violence. Ben is also a member of Cumberland Lodge #726 F & AM and Oakland City Lodge F & AM #467.
John, along with his wife, Jenny and four children live in Boonville, Indiana where he has been a lifelong resident. John is the pastor at Hatfield Bethel Church and is very involved in all activities there, including outreach programs, such as missions, Luce Elementary Released Time, and summer camps. In the past, he has enjoyed serving on the board of Warrick County Habitat for Humanity.
During his free time John and his family appreciate a competitive game of baseball or softball and enjoy going camping and traveling. John feels blessed to be able to help serve families at Koehler Funeral Home during their time of loss.
Jim, also known as “Bubba J”, has been a dedicated team member at Koehler Funeral Home for over 20 years. He graduated from Central High School in Evansville, Indiana and joined the National Guard. Jim also was a volunteer fireman for five years with the Boonville Fire Department. He is involved with the Red Cross and Warrick County 4-H Center. While serving on his personal time as a first responder in our community, he has always been there for people in difficult times.
Bubba J has six brothers, one sister, and numerous friends in the community because he literally doesn’t know a stranger. He enjoys working with families during visitations and services where he greets everyone with a warm, friendly smile, and a comforting presence.
Joye Brown has been a lifelong resident of Warrick County and a graduate of Boonville High School. She has been a Secretary with Koehler Funeral Home since 1997 and has excellent interpersonal skills when assisting the staff and families that we serve. Joye is associated with organizations including the Eastern Star, DAR, United Church of Christ, and also visits with residents at Woodmont Health Campus on weekly basis.
She is a mother and a grandmother of three grandchildren. Joye appreciates many outdoor activities including working in her flower gardens, researching genealogy, and spending time traveling with her grandkids.
Pete has been with Koehler Funeral Home for quite a few years and helps keep the surroundings clean and shiny. He attends the Methodist Church and volunteers at Hope Central food bank.
Pete is an extremely reliable part of our team and everyone enjoys seeing his smiling face. You may often see Pete strolling about town with his siblings. He brings joy to our workday and the families we serve.