Our Staff

Bill Zimmerman

Owner and Funeral Director

Bill Zimmerman, an Elkhart native is the current owner of Elkhart Cremation Services and is proud to be a U.S. Army Veteran. He is married to Annie Zimmerman and has been in the funeral industry for over 40 years. Bill enjoys bowling, spending time with his family and his 3 dogs. He is a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, serves as a chairman of the trustee’s, is a liturgist and he also helps run the sound system there. Bill is also on the Elkhart Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission, a member and trustee of the Elks Lodge # 425 and the Elcona County Club. Serving his local community is an honor.

Telephone: 1-574-389-8828

Email: 

Tara Cooper-Hatton

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Tara has been with the funeral home since 2010.  She is a licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer and is also a Licensed Pre-Arrangement Counselor. Married to Bryan they have 1 daughter, two dogs and a cat.  Family is very important to her, and she enjoys spending time with close and extended family, traveling, camping, and kayaking.  Tara enjoys volunteering opportunities, helping in her community, and is a member of Elkhart Evening Optimist Club.

“ I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, helping others in their time of need is truly what my calling is”. ~Tara

Telephone: 1-574-389-8828

Kevin Walker

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Kevin came to work at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman and Elkhart Cremation Services in October 2022. He’s a 1983 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, IN. Kevin served in the US Army from 1983 until 1985 and in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991. He’s a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Kevin and his wife Toni, live in Bristol, Indiana and have two cats, Stu and Cosmo. They enjoy spending time with their 6 grandchildren; traveling; watching college sports; scuba diving and spending time outdoors.

Rita Dawson

Office Assistant

Rita Dawson has been with the company since May of 2019. She was born and raised in Michigan and currently resides in Elkhart.

She enjoys helping families with any questions they have regarding cremation arrangements.

Telephone: 1-574-389-8828

Haillie Williams

Assistant/ Office

My name is Haillie Williams, I am 31 years old and have 2 beautiful rambunctious children, my daughter who will be 13 and my son is 8 as well as a 5-year-old girl Red-nose Pitbull. Having been born and raised in Elkhart I am a 2009 Elkhart Central Graduate. I was involved with Lifeline Youth for Christ Ministries from 4^th grade until 12 grade where I was able to go help families that suffered from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and many more mission trips and adventures through-out the years. During my time at Elkhart Central, I was a part of the Blazer Brigade Drumline. In 2006 I was honored to perform in Hawaii aboard the USS Missouri and there on to Europe in 2008 with the Indiana Ambassador of Music to perform aboard 7 counties. I graduated in 2018 from Stratford Career Institute with a degree in Funeral Service Education. In January 2023 I will be continuing my education at Mid-America College. I am looking forward to continuing my education and serving the community with dignity and respect with Wally-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home.

Robert John

Grounds and maintenance management

Hello I am Robert K. Johns “J.R.”

I am a Graduate of Penn High School Class of 1986

I am also president of the fraternal order of eagles aerie 395.

I enjoy in helping with the maintenance and upkeep of our facilities so when our guest visit everything is in order and looks great.

I have many experiences in my life such as: retail sales, customer service, automotive mechanic,

Vocalist, learning guitar and drums. Bowling, billiard’s, horseshoes, corn hole.

I am currently a resident of Osceola Indiana

And will be more involved with the city of Elkhart

Thank you for the opportunity of serving you and taking care of your loved ones. 

Steve Porter

Cremation Technician / Funeral Attendant

I came to work at Elkhart Cremation Service and Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home in May 2022. I have been in funeral care for eight years. I’m a 1992 graduate of Vincennes University, and a 1995 graduate of Indiana University.

My wife Kimberly of 27 years and I live in South Bend, Indiana and attend Kern Road Mennonite Church. We enjoy spending time having bon fires with friends, family, and our two children Katie and Michael. Babysitting our five-month Granddaughter Clara is also time well spent. Watching college sports and being a member of the Moose Lodge #599 in Elkhart, Indiana is also very Fulfilling.