History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

The business began when John A. Billups and his wife Sara Campbell, first opened a funeral home business in the late 1890's under the original name "John A. Billups Undertaker."

The first location was in downtown Tennyson, Indiana between all the other shops in town where the Billup's owned a furniture store that also served as a funeral parlor.

By 1895, son-in-law Phillip “P.C.” Werry, whom married Eleanor Billups, became a full partner and "Billups & Werry Funeral Home" was formed.

In 1912, Billups & Werry decided to move their practice to Third Street in Boonville, Indiana, only two blocks from the center of town.

The partnership died out in 1920, as P.C. and Eleanor moved to Poseyville, Indiana and started their own funeral service on Main Street under the name of “P.C. Werry & Son”, where their son Chester became involved in the funeral industry.

They also started an ambulance service for northern Posey and southern Gibson County residents which was utilized until 1973 when the local governments began their operations.

During the early years, many of the visitations were held at the homes of the loved ones with the services conducted in neighborhood churches or homes with burials in local cemeteries.

A new chapel for those desiring to have visitations and services at the funeral home was established in 1929 on the corners of Fletchall Avenue and Sharp Street, where the current funeral home sits today.

Chester married a local resident Ruth Jaquess whom was an accomplished organist that played for many funeral services and the local St. Paul’s United Methodist Church that her ancestors helped establish.

In 1950, Chester partnered with, and later purchased, the Schultz Funeral Home in New Harmony, Indiana and erected a new facility on the corners of Brewery and Steammill Streets.  Chester and Ruth had a son James P. Werry, whom continued the family business at that location.

In 1960, the Werry family also partnered with, and later purchased a facility in Cynthiana, Indiana, which was known as Bixler & Werry Funeral Home.

The fifth generation of service continues today and while our history has shaped who we are, and is the legacy on which we stand within the community, it’s important for you to know just one thing: we are professionals, yet we have heart.  We extend an invitation to you to come into our firm, and meet us face-to-face; we know then that you’ll agree.


Our Valued Staff

Paul R. Werry

Paul R. Werry, Funeral Director / Pre-planning Service Director


John A. Werry

John A. Werry, Funeral Director / Pre-planning Service Director


Philip A. Werry

Philip A. Werry, Funeral Director / Pre-planning Service Director