BARNETT STROTHER FUNERAL HOME - Key Persons
Elisha Lutz is a 2002 graduate of Hopkins County Central High School. She has a forteen year old son Eli. Elisha is a licensed Funeral Director.
Joey Hemmerle is the son of Tom and Natalie, married to Halie Proctor Hemmerle, and has worked full time at the funeral home since 2011. He is a 2009 graduate of Madisonville North Hopkins and is a licensed funeral director. He is also a member of Lakeshore CountryClub.
Mr. Wayne Burton graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1969 Magnum Cum Laude and was a member of the Mu Sigma Alpha Honor Society and Phi Sigma Eta Fraternity. He was employed by Barnett-Strother Funeral Home from 1965 to 1971. He returns to Barnett-Strother Funeral Home after working for several years at Andalex Coal Company and having owned a successful mortuary business.
He attends Madisonville First General Baptist Church. He is a Hopkins County Deputy Coroner. He has an Associates degree in Bible from the School of Ministry. He is a US Navy veteran.
He is married to Cheryl Whitledge Burton and he has three children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Terry Fortner joined our staff in March 2021. He holds a license to sell life/burial Insurance for the Funeral home. He married is to Ann Fortner.
Tom Hemmerle is a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer who began his career in 1992 at Barnett-Strother as an apprentice and is now currently the owner. He earned a degree in Mortuary Science from Arapahoe Community College and has been a licensed funeral director since 1996 and a licensed embalmer since 2006. As the proud grandson of William O. Burns and Beatrice O. Burns, who served both served during World War II, Tom is dedicated to serving veterans. Tom is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #11132. Tom proudly holds the office of President for the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), an association of independently-owned funeral home across North America and overseas. He is married to Natalie Clark Hemmerle and they have three sons; Joseph and Halie Hemmerle, Matthew and Molly Hemmerle, and Nicholas Hemmerle and two grandchildren, Hudson and Reece Hemmerle.