WINCHESTER, Ind. (WISH) — Imagine saving tens of thousands of dollars to prepare for your funeral service, only to have it disappear.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a scam involving the Wilson-Shook Funeral Homes and their four locations.

Detective Monte Gaddis, of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, said around $36,000 dollars has been stolen, but it could be end up being more as additional cases are being reported. Gaddis said one victim lost as much as $15,000. On Facebook, the sheriff’s office is encouraging victims to step forward.

Gaddis issued a warning.

“If you have any funeral plans with Wilson-Shook, or any other funeral home, for that matter, reach out to whoever the holder of the agreement is,” Gaddis said. “Just contact them to make sure there are funds set up in their name and the amount of money they have put in.”

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said four funeral homes are involved. They go by different names, but they’re all under the Wilson-Shook Funeral Homes. Three are located in Randolph County: Thornburg Memorial Chapel, Thomas Memorial Chapel, and Fraze and Brooks Memorial Chapel. One is located in Jay County. It’s called Dunkirk Memorial Chapel.

“Distrust is one of the big feelings,” said Gaddis, as he described the victims. “The whole part of losing the money, and not knowing that something that you’re planning for your future and your family’s future. Distrust is a big part, and sadness.”

Gaddis said the scam was years in the making. One trust was opened as far back as 2023. The victims initially thought money was going to a funeral plan trust through MasterChoice. When the victims discovered that Wilson-Shook Funeral Homes was closed, they called MasterChoice directly to check their funds, but there was no account in their name.

News 8 reached out to all four funeral homes and received the following message:

“The number you dialed is not in service.”

In the 28 years Gaddis worked as an officer, he said he’s never dealt with theft involving funeral homes before. As of now, the sheriff’s office is assessing how widespread the scam and is encouraging other victims to reach out to local police stations.

“This is money that they put into take care of funeral arrangements for someone who passes away in the future. So obviously its money that’s now is gone that they have to figure out how to take care of that in the future,” said Gaddis.

The detectives received their first tip on Monday, and they are currently building a case. Gaddis believes this is a local central Indiana issue. They are currently working with the Jay County Sheriff’s office.
Gaddis said to expect to hear formal charges from the Randolph County Prosecutor’s Office sometime next week.

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