compassionate professionals

Our Staff

Our compassionate team, rooted in the local community, is dedicated to providing unwavering support and guidance during difficult times and ensuring that every detail is handled with the utmost care, professionalism, and respect. We help families honor their loved ones with dignity and peace of mind.


Our Values

At our core, we value putting family first, ensuring that every decision is made with their needs and well-being in mind. We are committed to compassion and integrity, providing honest support and heartfelt care during difficult times.

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Family First

We believe families experiencing a loss are our number one priority.

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Compassion

Our staff offers compassionate support while guiding families through loss.

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Integrity

Our staff shows integrity by handling every detail with honesty and respect.

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Gunner

Therapy Dog/Boss

Gunner is the newest addition to the Freeman Family Funeral Home staff.

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Michel "Mike" Freeman

Owner / Funeral Director

Mike is a resident of Shelby County; and a graduate of Milan Junior Senior High School and the Vincennes University Mortuary Program. He serves on numerous boards, currently he is President of the Asbury Cemetery Board and past president of the Shelby County Fair Association, a member of the Major Hospital Foundation Board Business Relations Committee. He has also served as the Vice-President of the Morristown Chamber of Commerce, and on the Morristown Town Council, Scuffy Board, Dolly Parton Imagination Library (Morristown), Adult Derby Days, served as a director for the Shelby County Fair Association for several years and the Advisory Board at Vincennes University Funeral Service.

While also, being a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Shelbyville Lions Club, William Hacker #759 (Shelbyville) and Morristown #193 Masonic Lodges and a Honorary Member of the Sugar Creek Masonic Lodge (Fairland), Lifetime member of Shelby County FOP, Indiana Funeral Directors Association and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Mike was recipient of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" 2009 and Morristown Chamber of Commerce "Outstanding Businessman of the Year" 2014.

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Ryan Haehl

Funeral Director

Ryan Wheeler Haehl is a 7th generation Shelby County resident. He has lived in the Waldron area all of his life. He is the son of Pat (Wheeler) Haehl and Brian Haehl. His grandparents are the late Kenneth & Thelma Wheeler, Floyd Haehl and Mary Lou Haehl who reside in Rays Crossing.

Ryan graduated from Waldron High School and Mid-America College of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director, embalmer and certified cremationist.

He has been a lifelong member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Ryan is also a 4th degree member of the Father Seger Council 10371 Knights of Columbus where he is a past Grand Knight. He is a member and past president of the Shelbyville Rotary Club which helps many organizations in the local community. Ryan also served as a SCUFFY board member, the Planned Giving Committee of Blue River Foundation and is serving as Republican Precint Committeeman for Liberty Township.

In his spare time Ryan loves to hang out with family and friends, as well as volunteering throughout the surrounding community. He is also an avid Colts and Purdue fan.

Ryan was the recipient of the 2013 Shelby County Chamber of Commerce "Golden Pineapple Award" for customer service.

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Lana Freeman

Office Manager

Lana resides in Shelby County with her husband, Mike. She is a graduate of Union High School in Dugger, Indiana. Lana is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, Business and Professional Women and the Order of Eastern Star. She is the office manager and a Certified Cremationist.

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Connie Carlton

Clerical

Connie began working at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory in 2009. She was married to the late Robert Elmer Carlton. They have four children, Kenny, Kevin, Rachael and Heather; and 10 grandchildren, Mackenzie, Haley, Caleb, Conner, Cameron, Chloe, Abigail, Caleb, Nicholas and Elizabeth.

Connie graduated from Morristown High School. She is a member of Morristown Christian Church, where she is the choir director. She is also a member of the Missouri Harmony Diapason Singing class and Fountaintown Community Volunteer Fire Department, where she is treasurer.

Connie enjoys scrapbooking, crafting, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.

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Dean Beckner

Dean is a lifetime Shelby County resident and a graduate of Waldron High School.

He is married to Karen Beckner and they have three children, Russell, Allison and Loriann.

After graduating from high school, Dean was engaged in farming and the dairy industry. After farming and milking cows for almost 25 years, Dean decided to try his hand at something different and ventured out on his own doing construction work. One of Dean's greatest accomplishments was building his parent's new home in 2009. His parents are Robert and Roberta Beckner of the Waldron area. Dean is a very devoted son to his parents and helps them out whenever he is needed.


He loves to travel whenever he gets the chance and one of his favorite places to visit is Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Dean has worked at Freeman Family Funeral Home since 2013.

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Mary Jo Phares

Mary Jo has been working at Freeman Family Funeral Homes for several years. She has lived in Shelbyville since she was three years old and graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1967. Mary Jo is married to Dave Phares. They have two sons, David (wife, Michelle) Phares and Val (wife, Alicia) Phares and five grandchildren. Mary Jo retired from the Shelbyville Police Department after 28 years and is currently the Shelby County Recorder serving her second term. She has been and is currently on several different community boards. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, walking, bike riding and volunteering.

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Debbie and Kevin Williams

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They have worked at the funeral home since August of 2015.

They have two sons, Chad and wife, Kimberly and Eric and wife, Sarah. They have two grandsons and two granddaughters.

They are very proud of their family and especially love spending time with all of them and their friends.

Kevin retired from the REMC business after 43 years. He loves to do woodworking, cycling, and reading. He is a very active member of the

Post #70 American Legion Memorial team, Waldron Masonic Lodge and the Baldwin Commandery. He serves as a Certified Chaplain at Major Health Partners.

Kevin also serves on several committees in the Shelby County community.

Debbie retired after 47 years as a hairdresser. She loves spending time working in their yard and with her flowers. She plays the piano for services at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church where she and Kevin are active members. Debbie is also a volunteer at Major Health Partners where she plays the piano for the patients at the Benesse Department while they are having treatments.

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Jackie Grimme

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Danny Ivie

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Linda Stewart

Linda is 78 years old from a family of 13 brothers and sisters, her maiden name is Lux.

Her first husband, Larry Fair, died at the age of 41. She has three grown children and two step-children.

Linda graduated from Waldron High School and is a member of St. Vincent Catholic Church. At the church, she has helped with religious education for several years.

Linda has been married to Jerry Stewart for almost 30 years.

She retired from Freudenberg-NOK after 40 some years. She volunteers at the MHP Gift Shop, two days a week.

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Jim Landwerlen

In Loving Memory

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Bill and Bev Carlton

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Deprez Ewing