Our Staff

Charlie Choate

Licensed Funeral Director and Owner

A 1991 graduate of Southern Illinois University, Charlie is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He holds degrees in business management and mortuary science. Charlie purchased Hartzler Gutermuth Inman Funeral Home in February of 2011, relocating from Marion, Indiana. He is the proud father of his daughter Sydney. Charlie is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Elks, Moose lodge and Lions Club.

Fax: 574-295-1268

Telephone: 1-574-295-1230

Email: 

Kevin Wirt

Licensed Funeral Director

A 1989 graduate of the Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Kevin joined the Hartzler-Gutermuth Funeral Home in 1987, prior to attending mortuary college and then returned upon graduation.  Kevin was employed here for 16 years and then returned in January 2015 after 11 years with Hahn Funeral Home in Mishawaka, Indiana. An Elkhart native and veteran of the United States Army, Kevin has three children: Nicholas, Ryan and Allison.  He is a member of the Elkhart Noon Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus, Elkhart Moose Lodge and the Italian-American Relief Association.  A licensed insurance agent, Kevin also helps families who wish to make pre-arrangements.

Fax: 574-295-1268

Telephone: 1-574-295-1230

Email: 

Nathan Kline

Licensed Funeral Director

A 2015 graduate of the Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Nathan joined Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home in March of 2019.  Born and raised in Elkhart, Nathan graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School in 2013.  Since the age of sixteen, Nathan has worked in the funeral business in and around the Elkhart area.  He enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as his two cats, Maxine and DQ.  Nathan lives in Elkhart and is a member of the Elkhart Conservation Club. 

Fax: 574-295-1268

Telephone: 1-574-295-1230

Email: 

Kanyon Hamby

Licensed Funeral Director's Apprentice

A 2020 graduate of Jimtown High School, Kanyon graduated from Worsham School of Mortuary Science in 2023. He joined Hartrzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home in 2022. Living in and around the Elkhart area his entire life, he is the youngest of four children as well as an uncle to four. Some of his favorite hobbies include fishing and napping with his cats. An avid lover of flora and fauna, Kanyon is a member of the Wellfield Bontanic Gardens and the Indiana Wildlife Federation. 

Fax: 574-295-1268

Telephone: 1-574-295-1230

Email: 

Celia Weiss

Organist & Pianist

Celia Weiss has been part of Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home for over 30 years as the Organist and Pianist. Celia is also the Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian in Elkhart. She is an adjunct assistant professor of Music for the Raclin School of the Arts at Indiana University South Bend. Celia also maintains an active teaching and performing schedule throughout the Michiana area.

Jim Patterson

Assistant

John Downing

Assistant

Paul Thomas

Assistant

Paul Thomas

1923-2023

After the death of his wife Betty in 2018, Paul began working at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.  He truly enjoyed his time at the funeral home as it afforded him the opportunity to talk with and see so many people that he knew.

In March of 1955, he founded Paul Thomas Shoes at 119 W. Lexington Ave. before moving his store to 125-127 N. Main St. in downtown Elkhart.  He was in business here until his retirement in 1988.  He then founded the Time Was Museum, which he operated until 2022.  It was here that he was able to share the history of the city that he loved with others, often giving programs to local service clubs, at the library or anywhere else people asked him to speak.  

Paul was a lifelong supporter of Elkhart, especially downtown.  He was one of the founders of the Elkhart Jazz Festival, an event he supported continually since its inception.  Affectionately known as “The Mayor of Main Street”, Paul served Elkhart in any way he could.  He served two terms as a city councilman from 1964-1972 and was a 62-year member and past president of the Elkhart Lions Club, receiving the Citizen of the Year of Elkhart.  He also received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from then Governor Frank O’Bannon in 1996.