History & Staff

Mike Putman and Kevin Schwarzel each have over 30 years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Our funeral homes have over 100 years of serving our communities.  Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.  We strive to be active members of the community and "pay forward" in every way possible. 

Our History

White-Schwarzel Funeral Home and Ewing-Schwarzel Funeral Home are two of the oldest funeral homes in southeast Ohio with a rich history. In 1858 J. Leander White began as photographer and furniture dealer in Coolville, Ohio.  He began by making caskets for the citizens who passed away.    HIs son Charles would take over the business at the age of 19.  By this time the science of embalming had entered the funeral  business as well as having funeral services at the funeral home.  This is the time when White's became a full service funeral home.  Charles would eventually pass the business on to his two sons Clyde Jr. and Jack who continued to provide the Coolville community with dignified funeral services.  The last of the White's, Lee Ethridge, ran the business until his death.  Mike Putman began working at the funeral home in 1983 while Kevin Schwarzel joined the business in 1988.  Mike purchased the business in 1996 and has operated it ever since.  Benjamin Henry Ewing started Ewing Funeral Home in 1913.  In 1925 William Henry Ewing, fresh out of mortuary school,  joined his father in the funeral business.  He and is father built a state of the art funeral chapel in 1927 between Mulberry Avenue and Mechanic Street.  This is where the funeral home sits to this day.  Both father and son acted as the county coroner for many years.  Henry died in 1969 and his son Ben H. Ewing took over the business and operated it until 2012 when Mike Putman and Kevin Schwarzel purchased the property.Both funeral homes have a long tradition of serving families and being pillars in the community.


Our Valued Staff

Mike  Putman

Mike Putman, Owner

A 1985 graduate of Eastern High School, Mike began working at White Funeral home in 1983. A life long resident of Coolville, Mike purchased the funeral home in 1996. Mike continues his residence in Coolville with wife Becky and children Tyler and Mikayla.Mike is also serving as Troy township trustee and is on the board of directors at Hocking Valley Bank.


Becky  Putman

Becky Putman, Owner, Licensed Pre-Need Specialist

A 1987 graduate of Federal Hocking High School, Becky has worked at the funeral home since 1996. Becky grew up in Hockingport and moved to Coolville when she married Mike. Becky earned her Pre-Need License in August of 2000.


Kevin  Schwarzel

Kevin Schwarzel, Owner, Funeral Director

A 1982 graduate of Athens High School and 1986 graduate of Ohio University, Kevin began his work at the funeral home in 1988. He obtained his Funeral Director License in 1990. Kevin resides in Athens with wife Tiffany, daughters Kelsie and Dot Dot and son Skylar. Kevin was a founding father of Athens Sandlot Baseball and the Bulldog Blitz. He and Tiffany are very active in both organizations still today.


Tiffany Schwarzel

Tiffany Schwarzel, Technology Coordinator

Tiffany produces all videos, maintains the website, and creates photographic work. She is also known for making some delicious chocolate chip cookies for calling hours!


Gerald Powell

Gerald Powell

Gerald started his career at Ewing Funeral Home in 1969. His duties are endless. He has done everything from answering phones and washing cars to playing traffic cop. These days, Gerald enjoys greeting his old and many friends at the front door.Gerald graduated from Racine High School in 1951. He and his wife Mary have lived in Meigs County their entire life.


Floyd Burney

Floyd Burney

"Burney" has many responsibilities at Ewing Funeral Home. He is at the funeral home everyday doing the "daily chores". He is the self proclaimed elevator operator. Burney graduated from Meigs High School in 1974 and is a life long resident of Meigs County.