Josh Harper

Owner & Funeral Director

Josh Harper is a lifelong resident of the Avilla area and a graduate of East Noble High School. He went on to earn his degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Management from Mid-America College of Funeral Service, graduating in 2001. Shortly thereafter, he completed his internship and passed the Indiana Funeral Director Licensing exam. With more than 25 years of experience, Josh has dedicated his career to serving families with compassion, dignity, and professionalism.

For nearly eight years, Josh managed a funeral home in Fort Wayne before purchasing the former Brazzell Funeral Homes in Albion and Avilla in August 2015. During his time in Fort Wayne, he played a key role in the development of the Northeast Indiana Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial on Wells Street and was honored with the “Spirit of Servant” Leadership Award by the Northeast Area Partnership.

Josh has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Town of Avilla Redevelopment Commission and the Rose Hill Cemetery Committee. He actively supports public safety through his involvement with the Fraternal Order of Police and the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association. His dedication to service extends beyond the funeral profession—he has completed the Indiana Coroners Training Board Death Investigator course, served as deputy coroner for Noble and DeKalb Counties, and earned his firefighter certification through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. In addition, Josh holds an Indiana Life Insurance license.

Proud to call Avilla home, Josh considers it a privilege to serve both his hometown of Avilla and his adopted community of Albion, providing trusted and compassionate care to every family in their time of need.

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Sheryl Hawkins

Licensed Funeral Director

As a sixth-generation funeral director, Sheryl is proud to carry on a family legacy of service and compassion at Harper Funeral Homes in Albion and Avilla. She grew up in Noble County, Indiana, where she learned the value of hard work, empathy, and community from an early age. The funeral profession has always been part of her life and she considers it an honor to serve families of our communities during some of their most difficult days.

Sheryl holds an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Funeral Service Management, a combination that has equipped her with both the technical skills and the personal insight necessary to provide thoughtful professional care. Sheryl completed her Indiana Funeral Director Internship in early 2024. She has been a fully licensed Funeral Director since and has become licensed in Pre-Need Funeral Planning. Her education, coupled with years of hands-on experience, helps her to care for our families on professional level.

Community has always played an important role in Sheryl’s life. From childhood through adulthood, she has been actively involved in programs that strengthen and uplift others. She was a proud member of 4-H Horse & Pony Club and Girl Scouts as a youth. As an adult Sheryl has helped to lead Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and 4-H Mini Club as a youth leader and mentor. For nearly a decade, Sheryl had the joy of coaching youth swimming, a role that allowed her to encourage growth, discipline, and teamwork.

Today, Sheryl brings that same passion for service, education, and leadership into her work at the Funeral Home. Whether she is helping a family plan a meaningful service, assisting with pre-planning services, or simply listening when someone needs to talk, Sheryl strives to provide care for loved ones and their family that is professional, respectful, and values each family we serve.

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Mitch Fiandt

1957 - 2024

Mitch Fiandt’s presence at our funeral home and in the Albion community was a steady and compassionate force for more than three decades. His journey in funeral service began in the late 1980s at the former Brazzell Funeral Home, where he worked as needed while also serving in other community roles. Following the passing of Terry Brazzell in 2010, Mitch became more involved in the day-to-day operations. When Josh Harper assumed management—and later ownership—of the funeral homes, Mitch remained a trusted and valued member of the team, continuing to assist with dedication and care until his passing.

Mitch’s devotion to Albion reached far beyond the funeral home. He was a 45-year firefighter, proudly serving with both the Albion Fire Department and the Orange Township Fire Department. He also gave of his time and leadership as a three-term member of the Albion Town Council, serving two years as its president.

Professionally, Mitch retired from the Noble County E-911 Communications Center after an impressive 36 years of service. Beginning as a dispatcher, then moving to dispatch supervisor, Mitch was appointed 911 Director in 1999, a role in which he led with integrity until his retirement.

A graduate of East Noble High School (Class of 1975), Mitch shared 47 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Carla. He is also remembered with love by his children, David (Jami) of Avilla and Melissa of Fort Wayne, and his four cherished grandsons—Talon, Jaxson, Rylan, and Max.

Mitch’s commitment to service, his steady presence, and his warm friendship remain a part of our lives and the community he loved so deeply. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy continues in the countless lives he touched.

Larry Wardlaw

Advisory Board Member

Larry graciously joined the Harper Funeral Homes advisory board in 2015.  Since that time, he has provided valuable insight to the operations and future of our funeral homes.  Larry brings with him substantial credentials including marketing, brand development, client relations, and media strategy.  He recently retired as VP of Client Services at Asher Agency in Fort Wayne.