Meet our Directors

"Since 1950, the Billings family has served the greater Elkhart community in a number of care giving capacities. Today at Billings Funeral Home, our vision for our future is to continue to build lasting relationships with our customers. My favorite part of my job is meeting with families. It is humbling to hear them tell us that we've done a great job, because it means we are living our vision. I feel great coming to work every day. From the smallest detail to the most extravagant, I like to involve families in the process and educate them on the variety of services we offer. I want Billings to be known for being fair, honest, and having a can-do attitude of serving families. There is nothing that we won't do to go the extra mile in providing service and taking care of things. These are the advantages of coming to us. We provide the best service because we treat you as we would our own family."

"As a member of the Billings family, I consider it a privilege to serve our community and customers by providing services that are unique in this area. It is important to me that we be sincere and compassionate to each person who walks through our door. Above all, you are treated like family. When you come to Billings you will find people who genuinely care and who welcome you into "our" home. Your loved one's uniqueness and personality is celebrated in death, as in life. Our goal is to exceed your expectations by taking care of the many details and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Whether you are coming to us at your time of need or for advance planning, we do not attempt to oversell services. We focus on integrity and establishing a level of trust and comfort that is exceptional, while offering reasonable prices for the celebration of you or your loved one's life in a unique and personalized manner."

"What Billings does is more than just a business. First and foremost we care about families. I am a regular person who is blessed to be in a position to serve. I am open, caring, and compassionate, and like to give hope to families who are concerned about the cost of a service or the presentation of their loved one. I am always captured by the beauty and dignity of each person's life. Funeral homes must adapt to changes yet face the realities of death, and Billings does so by providing a menu of services with a variety of options and prices with a no-pressure approach. Regardless of your faith or religion, level of income, or heritage; you will be surprised at how easy and achievable a personalized service can be. These are some of the reasons I feel that Billings provides the best customer care in the area. We consider you as our own family and will meet you at whatever level you are to celebrate your loved one's life in a way that is unique to him or her."

Kevin Walker was born in Hammond, Indiana, and raised on a country farm in Illinois. He remembers his grandmother's death in 1977 when he was 14 years old and how his closely-knit family included all the children as part of her funeral service. Something happened at that time; he knew he wanted to be a funeral director and never changed direction. "I enjoy people and feel I have the ability to make good connections with older people. I like to hear their life stories and learn from their wisdom," he shares.

The early part of his career took him to Georgia and his position as licensed funeral director/embalmer for the largest family-owned funeral home in the southeastern states. After 20 years of service in the south, Kevin found himself in Elkhart and reconnected with Brad Billings, a former classmate at Mid American College of Funeral Services. He is pleased to step into the role of Funeral Director under his friend's tutelage. Kevin says, "I have a lot of the same values and beliefs as Brad probably because of our training together as well as similar personalities."

Kevin has seen first-hand changes that affect his area of expertise - and for the good: Services have evolved to be more customized and personalized. Directors are more open to change. Traditional values are resurfacing as important to people. He believes that family-owned and operated businesses, such as Billings, are preferred to large corporations running as funeral homes because of the sincere individualized attention each family experiences during the sorrowful yet celebratory time. He says, "Recalling the significance and uniqueness of the person who has passed away is comforting and positive to the family and friends who are saying their goodbyes."

Mr. Walker has been active with community groups such as the Lions Club, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and United Way and looks forward to civic opportunities in Elkhart.

"I have always considered working in a funeral home as more of a calling than a career. I welcomed the opportunity to be a Family Service Advisor because I love people and it allows me to help others with difficult choices. It is very fulfilling to know that those I help with pre-arrangements are easing tough decisions for their family members and finding peace of mind for themselves. I want every family I counsel to be educated by the pre-planning process and to feel relieved that they have lifted an emotional and financial burden from their loved ones. Preplanning is a wise and responsible decision, just like retirement or estate planning. I believe life is not what you leave behind or what is engraved on a stone monument. It's the memories woven into the lives of others. At Billings, those memories are embraced by celebrating and commemorating ones life and journey."

As the Aftercare Specialist, I feel privileged to be able to reach out to families about two weeks after a funeral or memorial service. Billings Funeral Home is anxious to show each family that we continue to think of them and want to provide additional assistance after a service. During a personal visit, I am able to provide grief support materials to families, determine if there are needs we might fulfill, and answer any questions they might have. The aftercare program allows me to support families after their loss and educate families on the additional services Billings provides. Comments from families help us evaluate how our services, facilities and staff can continue to serve families better. I am proud to be affiliated with Billings Funeral Home where serving families during a time of need includes aftercare support and assistance. Our aftercare program is a very unique and special service.

Tony Cinelli, an Elkhart fireman of 25 years and native to this city, graciously joins our staff during the Indian days of summer 2008. Brad Billings says of his long-time friend, "Tony's compassion for others will serve him well as an associate in our company."

Mr. Cinelli knows first-hand what people go through when dealing with a loss of a loved one; he sadly lost both parents and a sister, stating, "God took care of me all these years, now I have the chance to be there for others." In the past, he worked at Billings part-time and has since decided to return in a full-time position. His roll includes what he loves to do - talk to people. He'll lend that important listening ear when family members reminisce about good times, funny times, and joyful milestones as they honor the memory of their loved one. "Billings Funeral Home is sensitive to the family through respect and care of the deceased (even when family isn't around), and the employees are a close-knit group all on the same page when it comes to service," states Tony. He knows not all funeral homes are alike. He believes Billings Funeral Home to be very special.

Mr. Eric Ericksen formerly of Chicago, Illinois, now residing in Mishawaka, graciously joins our dedicated group of individuals serving Michiana's families for funeral arrangements as an associate. An interest developed early for Eric by growing up beside a funeral home and playing there as a four-year-old while being reared by his grandmother. Eventually he owned a hearse and transported whenever needed in the Chicago area. Eric considers the entire service cycle with a family rewarding since, "People call in or come in and do not know what to do or where to turn. Once they talk to us they calm down, they understand we can help, they trust that everything will be taken care of. They are so appreciative of the services we have, and a friendship grows from it." Brad Billings says, "Eric is poised and stately. People feel an immediate connection that puts them at ease."