2026 Primary: Owen County Coroner

Shelby Hershberger – R

I am the only candidate who is a Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator. I have nearly eight years of boots on the ground experience and many additional certifications in forensic photography, blood spatter recognition and sudden infant death to name a few. Myself and my staff pour our hearts into serving the community, counseling families through the grief and change surrounding loss and thoroughly investigating every case. We treat each decedent with dignity and their survivors with compassion.

What issues do you hope to address and how?

I am committed to continuing to strengthen collaborative relationships with law enforcement, emergency services, funeral homes and other partner agencies. These partnerships are essential to ensuring seamless, professional service to the citizens of Owen County.

Looking ahead, one of my key priorities is working toward the development of a local autopsy suite. Establishing this resource within our county will improve efficiency, reduce delays and better serve families during critical times.

I will also continue to manage the office with fiscal responsibility while introducing innovative and efficient practices that reflect the evolving field of death investigation. By combining experience with forward-thinking leadership, I will ensure the Coroner’s Office remains effective, responsive and prepared for the future.

What else should the public and voters know?

The public needs to know that the Coroner’s Office is a crucial part of emergency services. Competent death investigations and cohesive work with law enforcement ensure victims and their families are supported and brought justice. Coroners must be available to provide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year coverage to the county.

I am the right candidate because I possess the knowledge, grit and passion to see us through another four years. The Coroner’s Office is not a typical political office. It is a position where medical and legal knowledge are a must. Your vote ensures that the citizens of Owen County are well represented by a knowledgeable Coroner with a heart for service.

Tim Wright – R

I was raised on a family farm near Freedom, Indiana, and graduated from OVHS with the class of 1983. I was active in 4-H and FFA and worked at the Spencer IGA grocery store during my high school years.

After graduating I attended Vincennes University and received a degree in Agricultural Business in 1986. While finishing college I was employed at the Owen County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher/jailer. I left the Sheriff’s Department to farm full-time and became a Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy and was a member of the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, which my father and grandfather helped found.

In 1988, I took a job with Wetterau General Merchandise and called on many IGA stores in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois which sold to Supervalu in 1992. After 10 years of employment with them I took a job in southern Illinois as operations manager of a small chain of IGA stores. In 2007 I purchased the Valu Market in Worthington and changed the name to Worthington Country Market and owned and operated it until 2021 at which time I became employed with Walton Funeral Service Inc. at the West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home.

In August of 2021, I enrolled in the Vincennes University Mortuary Science program and graduated from that in 2023. Immediately after graduation I passed both National Board Exams required by Indiana to obtain my Funeral Director’s Intern License. After completing my one-year internship I received my Funeral Director’s License and am currently still employed at West & Parrish & Pedigo. I am married to Kim (Mattox) and have two grown children and three grandkids.

How will your experience serve you in this position? Why are you the best candidate?

I am employed as a Licensed Funeral Director at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer. I received a degree in Mortuary Science from Vincennes University in 2023. I have had extensive training not only in caring for decedents but more importantly caring for their families.

I became a funeral director as a second career after working over 30 years in the grocery industry with the last 14 years of my career owning and operating the Worthington Country Market grocery store in Worthington.

Many years ago, I served Owen County as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff as well as a member of the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department. I feel I am the most qualified for the job because of my extensive training in caring for the deceased as well as their families.

If elected, I will attend any training that is required by the state to perform my duties and will work well in connection with all the law enforcement agencies. I will run the office with professionalism, confidentiality and fiscal responsibility.

What issues do you hope to address and how?

I believe the office of coroner should be a tool to help law enforcement agencies obtain crucial evidence such as lab results, tissue samples, identities and any assistance that I can provide for them at their request. I will also work with the families of the decedents to ensure they can get their loved ones to the funeral home of their choosing in a timely and efficient manner and work to get death certificates certified as fast as possible. I will care for the decedents in a manner that they will be in as good of condition as possible and train all deputies in the proper care of remains.

What else should the public and voters know?

I was born and raised on a family farm near Freedom and graduated from OVHS in 1983. I have two degrees from Vincennes University; I received a degree in Agricultural Business in 1986 and a degree in Mortuary Science in 2023. I have been married to Kim (Mattox) for almost 34 years, and we have two grown children and three grandkids. I am a member of the Spencer Masonic Lodge No. 95, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Linton Elks Lodge, Sons of the Legion and the Indiana Funeral Directors Association. If elected, I will serve the county with integrity and professionalism.