Meet Our Staff

Wayne Lovelace

Director

Wayne is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School and has a Mortuary Science degree from John Tyler Community College. Before joining Lotz in April 2007, Wayne was previously employed with the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem for 18 years and as a Communications Officer with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office. He served as Location Manager at the Lotz Downtown Location and took over as Managing Partner of the Lotz Vinton location in April 2012. He retired from the management position in November 2022 but still serves as a full time director. Wayne has served as President of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association and has served several terms on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association. He is also a member of the Salem Kiwanis Club and the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club. He has three grown children and spends most of his spare time with his 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Jeff Gardner

Funeral Director

Pastor Gardner has worked for Lotz since 2001. He was raised in Kansas and moved to Virginia in 1983. He is currently the Pastor for Lamplight Baptist Church in South West Roanoke. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Theology from Bible Baptist College in Springfield, Missouri and from John Tyler Community College with a Mortuary Science degree in 2015. Jeff is the backup director at the Lotz Vinton Chapel.

Myrna Trussler

Administrative Assistant

Myrna has been a part-time administrative assistant at Lotz Vinton Chapel since 2003. She was born and still resides in Vinton, Virginia and graduated from William Byrd High School in 1959. She was formerly employed in Planning and Production offices at Halmode Apparel for 31 years. She attends Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church. Myrna was married to her husband, Lee, for 47 years and has three children, Steven, Christopher and Wendy, and two grandchildren, Kellie and Jerry. As a lifelong Vinton resident, she considers it a pleasure to work this close to home and come in contact with so many people she has known over the years. She especially enjoys reading as well as photography and learning to quilt. Myrna creates flower books, memorial videos for families and if requested, sets up and monitors live webcasts for chapel services.

Edna McCarty

Hostess

Edna has been a part of the Lotz Family since 1995. Her husband was the late Beverly McCarty. She has one daughter and is a member of Vinton Baptist Church.

Jerry Finch

Funeral Assistant

Jerry has been employed part-time with Lotz Funeral Home assisting with funerals, burials and visitations since November 2008. He was born in Roanoke, graduated from Jefferson High School and attended VPI and UVA before serving in the Air Force. He is retired from General Electric in Salem, Virginia with 42 years service as a Design Specialist. Jerry and his wife Claudia have lived in the Vinton area since 1961 and have one daughter Tracey. They are longtime members of Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church - Vinton and active choir members. Jerry enjoys reading, camping, especially at Myrtle Beach, gardening and taking cruises as money and time allow.

Judy Boitnott

Hostess

Judy is a resident of Roanoke County where she resides with her husband, Henry. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School and retired from Allstate Insurance Company after 38 1/2 years of service. She currently works part time as the Administrative Assistant at Williamson Road Church of the Brethren and joined the Lotz family in February 2017. Judy and her husband enjoy playing in their local bluegrass band. She also enjoys crafts, gardening and most of all, being there for others.

Carl Mann

Forever Remembered

In Loving Memory

"Our Co-Worker, our friend- we miss you so very much Carl."

February 18, 1936 - April 26, 2010

Russ Kelley

Funeral Assistant

Born on January 16, 1942 in Floyd County, Russ was raised in Vinton from 1944 to 1966. He graduated from William Byrd High School in 1963. He worked in the grocery business for 35 years and in the candy business for 10 years. Around Vinton, he was known as the "The Candy Man." He became a member of the Lotz Family in 2012.