Our Valued Staff

• 
  Robert B. Burger Jr., Manager

  Robert (Bob) Burger, Jr., is a fifth generation funeral director and formerly President of Doyne-Burger Funeral Home in Farmville, VA, which is the third oldest funeral home in Virginia, established in 1838. He was drawn to the profession and trained to work under his Father, the late Robert Burger. Sr., who was a Past President of the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Bob is a 1972 graduate of Campbell University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, and also graduated from John Tyler Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. A Past President and Life Member of both the Farmville Jaycees and Collinsville Jaycees, he received the Otto Jeff Gibson award from the U.S. Jaycees as an Outstanding State Chaplain from Virginia in 1984. Bob is also a life member of the Virginia Jaycees, Past President of the Retail Merchants Association of Martinsville/Henry County, and the Bassett Kiwanis Club, and the Bassett Volunteer Fire Department. Currently he serves as Chairman of the Board of River Community Bank, Martinsville, a Director of it’s holding company River Bancorp, a Director of the Longwood University Foundation Board, a member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and is serving his second term on the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors having been appointed by Gov. Mark Warner and reappointed by Gov. Tim Kaine. His passion is meeting and serving people through his chosen profession. He enjoys golf and boating on Smith Mountain Lake where he resides with his wife of 30 years, Linda. He has three children, Brad, Libby, a graduate of the University of Virginia who is a teacher, and Spence, a graduate of East Tennessee State University. In addition, Bob helped coordinate the Pet Memorial and Cremation Program and assists those who have lost or are losing their pet.

• 
  Sandra Colling, Funeral Director

  Sandra was born and raised in Michigan and attended Wayne State University Mortuary School in Detroit in 1998. Prior to entering the funeral services field, she was a Licensed Practical Nurse in ICU for 6 years. Sandra enjoys international travel, reading ,motorcycle riding. Her compassionate nature extends into her personal life as well. As a true advocate, she has been strongly involved with Animal Rescue Groups for many years and currently resides in Roanoke with her 4 “recycled dogs". Her warm-hearted persona is most certainly an asset in meeting and helping the families that we serve. In addition, Sandy helped coordinate the Pet Memorial and Cremation Program and assists those who have lost or are losing their pet.

• 
  Wayne Lovelace, Funeral Director

  Wayne is a lifelong resident of Salem. 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 John M. Oakey & Son for 17 years, after working with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office. Wayne has served as President of the Blue Ridge Funeral Directors Association and is a member of the Salem Kiwanis Club. He has been married to his wife, Brenda since 1974 and has three grown children. He spends most of his spare time with his five grandchildren and riding his Harley.

• 
  Sally McFarland, Office Manager

  Sally McFarland is the office manager for all four Lotz/Rader locations. She is responsible for all bookkeeping and accounting procedures and many other office duties. She has been in the funeral business since 1982. She strongly supports and is actively involved in the relay for life and annual rescue mission fundraiser. Sally was born in Tazewell VA and attended Tazewell High School. She moved to Roanoke in 1967. Sally married Richard McFarland in 1985. She is the mother of five sons & one daughter and has four grandchildren. Sally enjoys spending all of her free time with her family and spoiling her grandchildren. She is a great asset to Lotz /Rader Funeral Homes.

• 
  Sherry D. Lucas, Graphics - Pet Services

  Sherry has been the Graphic Artist for Lotz Funeral Homes since October 2003. She is a native of Staunton / Harrisonburg and is the youngest sister of four brothers. Sherry spent several years as a Mental Health Counselor before entering the funeral industry. She earned a BSW while mentoring and monitoring at-risk youth for the State of Virginia. Desiring a change of pace, she entered the Graphic Art AAS Degree Program at Virginia Western Community College. She was a member of the Lotz Bowling Team, "The Undertakers" 2005 season and serves as the representative of Lotz at Roanoke and Vinton Chamber of Commerce Business meetings and events. Sherry’s responsibilities at Lotz include; creating ads, public relations, website administration, as well as personalizing funerals for families through the name boards, poems, flower books, and videos. She puts exceptional efforts into personalizing every service to fit the interests of that person’s life. In addition, Sherry is the coordinator of the Pet Memorial and Cremation Program and assists those who have lost or are losing their pet.
  
  
  

• 
  Jeff Gardner, Pastor & Ambassador

  Pastor Gardner has worked for Lotz since 2001. He was born on the Island of Okinawa where his father was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. He was raised in Kansas and moved to Virginia in 1983. He has been involved in Ministry for 30 years and is currently the Pastor for Lamplight Baptist Church in Roanoke. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Theology from Bible Baptist College in Springfield, MO. Pastor Gardner & his wife, Kathy have six children, Jared, Tim, Tabitha, Charity, Benjamin & Rachel and four grandchildren, Tyler, Derek, Adam & Haley. Pastor Gradner enjoys working at Lotz Funeral Home because it gives him an opportunity to help people. Proudly being a native Roanoker for over 20 years, he knows the community well. His knowledge helps him to guide his families to available services in which may help them. When families have a need for comfort during the difficult time of losing someone, they will find peace in knowing he understands.
  
  

• 
  Carter Sloan, Pastor & Ambassador

  Rev. Carter Sloan is a funeral assistant for Lotz Funeral Homes, Inc. He was born in Franklin County, Virginia and is married to his wife Lorita N. Sloan. He received a Bachelor of Divinity Degree in May of 1964 from Bible Baptist Seminary in Arlington, Texas and went to American Language Institute in Belem, Brazil. Rev. Sloan had been the associate pastor with Fellowship Baptist Church for 27 years and for the past several years the associate pastor with New Hope Baptist Church. He has a son and daughter-in-law, David Lee Sloan his wife, Michelle Hamlet and a granddaughter, Jessica Lynn. Rev. Sloan feels that his work in the funeral home is an extension of his ministry. In the years of his church work (29 years in Roanoke) he has had the opportunity to work with many of his church families and other families and believes this is a way to minister to people at a time in their life that is needed. Lotz is very fortunate to have Rev. Sloan at the heart of their team.
  

• 
  Mike Heffernan, Ambassador

  Mike Heffernan has been a Funeral Assistant with Lotz Funeral Homes, Inc. for 9 years. He assists with funerals, visitations and services for all Lotz locations. Mike and his wife, Jo Ann, are 42-year residents of the Roanoke Valley. They have a Daughter, Donna, her husband Charles and grandson, Luke of Fairfax, VA, a Son, Jim, Daughter-In-Law, Stephanie and granddaughter, Olivia of Harrisonburg, VA. Mike also worked for Lotz Funeral Homes from 1961-1963 as a funeral assistant while attending National Business College. He is retired from the wholesale floor covering industry. Mike & Jo Ann are longtime active members of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church in Roanoke County. Mike is a member of several U.S. Navy Veteran groups. He enjoys helping families by being supportive in their time of sorrow. Mike looks forward to serving you and your family at any of the Lotz locations.
  
  
  

• 
  Don Mitchell, Ambassador

  Don Mitchell has been a Funeral Assistant with Lotz Funeral Home, Inc. for 3 years. He is always willing to assist all the locations with visitations, funeral services or special memorial events. Don and his wife, Nancy are 30 year residents of the Roanoke Valley and attend First Baptist Church of Roanoke. They have one daughter, Becky. Don served his country as a Vietnam war veteran of the United States Air Force.
  

• 
  Joan Lam, Housekeeping Services

  Joan Lam is the Housekeeper for Lotz Funeral Homes, Inc. She began working for Lotz when she was in high school took off a few years to raise her kids and returned. She was born in Australia and is married to Richard Lam. She has three children, Jeanette, Jeffrey and Jennifer. Joan keeps all three of our funeral homes clean for each family we serve. Her delightful personality and sense of humor always makes us smile.