Naples (239) 659-2009 | Bonita (239) 319-1195 | Fort Myers (239) 219-1195
Our Experienced Staff
Each of the staff members at Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services is committed to providing your family with the finest in personal care. It is comforting for area families to know that we are available to help at any time of the day or night.
When a loved one dies, all you need to do is make one phone call. From that moment on, we’ll take on the responsibilities of the physical care of your loved one, and the emotional care of those left behind.
Please take a few minutes to get to know our staff. We’re sure you’ll find each of us to be all that you would hope for in a trusted funeral professional.
Michael Whyte
Funeral Director
Email: michaelw@legacyoptions.com
Michael grew up in Hollywood, Florida having moved from Boston, Massachusetts in 1958. He attended middle school and graduated from McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida in 1964, and enrolled in an apprentice/intern program with a family owned funeral home located in Miami Beach.
In 1965, Michael returned to Boston and enrolled in the New England Institute of Anatomy. Michael graduated in 1968 and completed his intern program in 1970. In 1971, Michael received his Massachusetts embalmers license and funeral directors license.
Michael practiced in Massachusetts until he moved to Naples, Florida in 2005, and became associated with Service Corporation International. After SCI acquired Hodges Funeral Home in 2007, Michael was assigned as manager of advanced planning. In 2007, upon receiving his Florida embalmers and funeral directors license, Michael became general manager of Hodges Funeral Home and Naples Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Naples, and Hodges Josberger Funeral Home in Marco Island.
In recent years, he resigned his position from SCI to pursue his vision of a community based funeral establishment as a founder of Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services, LLC.
Michael Hoyt
Funeral Director
Email: michaelh@legacyoptions.com
Michael grew up in the small Massachusetts town of Amesbury. In high school, Michael began working for the local funeral home where he realized that funeral service was a call of helping others. He then enrolled and was a 1988 Cum Laude graduate of the New Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Boston. He received his Massachusetts Funeral Directors license in 1990 where he began working alongside his father-in-law Michael C. Whyte where they both served many Boston area funeral homes.
In 1998, Michael moved with his wife Carla to Martha’s Vineyard to manage the island’s funeral home. Michael was active his community and served as the President of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, President of the Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard, Chair of the Oak Bluffs School Committee, and Vice Chair of the All Island School Committee.
The beginning of 2018 presented a great opportunity for Michael to once again partner with his father-in-law at Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services. Michael, his wife Carla, son Noah, and daughter Chloe relocated to Naples. Michael is a licensed funeral director in both Massachusetts & Florida. Joining Legacy has allowed Michael to further help families through a difficult time.
Jeffrey Nieves
Funeral Director
Email: jeffn@legacyoptions.com
Jeffrey was born in the northshore town of Newburyport, Massachusetts. He attended Newburyport High School and received his bachelor’s degree from University of Massachusetts Lowell with a focus in Legal Studies and Political science.
After completing college, Jeffrey worked as an account manager for a marketing firm in Boston, MA; and later continued to expand his business development career in both the construction and renewable energy industries.
Jeffrey decided to move to Southwest Florida in early 2019 to join the Family business and pursue a career in Funeral Service. Jeffrey received his pre-need sales agent license and came on board as a full-time Family Services Counselor while attending Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. Jeffrey has since graduated and has transitioned into the role of a full-time Funeral Director.
Morgan McWilliams
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Email: morgan@legacyoptions.com
Morgan was born in Southeast Ohio, and grew up in the small town of Wellston, where his family owns and operates McWilliams Funeral Home. Throughout his childhood, Morgan always enjoyed helping his father at the family business by means of mowing the grass, washing the vehicles, taking out the trash, and as he got older, helping with the more technical aspect of death care.
He relocated to Southwest Florida in 2014, to continue his journey of serving others in Funeral Service. Morgan first contracted transportation needs for multiple funeral homes in South Florida. It was then when he began to build a strong relationship with the Legacy family. Having seen the operations of multiple funeral homes, Morgan became very interested in being a part of the mission at Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services. He began full-time in 2022, serving in many capacities throughout all three locations and is now the General Manager of our Lee County locations. Morgan is a graduate of Northeast Texas Community College, having an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service. He also holds Certificates of Competency in Funeral Service Education & Embalming.
Morgan currently resides in Fort Myers, with his wife Amber, and their two poodles Snoopy and Rosie. In his free time, Morgan enjoys staying involved in church, his community, and playing his piano. When asked what he enjoys most about his job, Morgan says he enjoys being a good listener and providing comfort for others during the most trying times in life.
Carla Hoyt
Office Manager, Pre-Need Family Services Counselor - Naples Office
Email: carla@legacyoptions.com
A graduate of Burdette College in Boston Mass., Carla has worked extensively in administrative roles in government and municipality. While Carla and her husband raised their children, she was actively involved as a volunteer at Community Services where she provided child-care, adoption support to families, and Meals on Wheels to support the elderly. Both, Carla and her husband Michael, were active community members on Martha’s Vineyard before their move to Naples, Florida in 2018.
Her understanding of the funeral business and services was foreseeable for her father’s profession as funeral director while growing up. Carla joined the family business in 2019 and as licensed Pre-Need Family Service Counselor focusing on pre-planning.
Laura Foytik
Funeral Director Intern
Email: laura@legacyoptions.com
Laura grew up along the South Jersey Shore but now proudly calls Florida home, having relocated in 2024 to be closer to family. After eight years as an endodontic dental assistant, she felt drawn to a more profound role; supporting individuals through some of life’s most challenging moments.
Currently, Laura is in the final stages of completing her Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service at Mid-America College of Funeral Service . She is also serving as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer Intern at Legacy Options, where she continues to deepen her expertise in the funeral profession.
Laura resides in Fort Myers with her husband, Mickey, their two dogs, Moose and Winnie, and their beloved cat, Sushi. When she's not working, you’ll likely find her enjoying time with family near the water or immersed in several books at once.
Jurgen Baum
HR-Payroll Dept - Social Media
Email: jurgenb@legacyoptions.com
Jurgen was born, raised and educated in Germany. He graduated from the Benedict School of Languages with a Foreign Correspondence degree in 1975 after he completed 8 years in the German Army, honorably discharged as Sergeant; worked as a photojournalist with his own column “Germany Closer To You” with publications in Stars and Stripes and US based military magazines, and acted as translator in the US V Corps’ Public Affairs Office until his move to the United States in Spring of 1981.
Jurgen settled in Massachusetts where he worked initially as assistant to attorneys who dealt with real estate transactions until his transfer to Fidelity Mortgage Corp where he held positions as assistant to the CEO to Corporate Clerk until he left the company in 1989.
In 1997 he graduated from Middlesex College with a Liberal Arts Degree, acquired his nursing license and practiced nursing specializing in Alzheimer’s care for 20 years. His career as nurse started as floor nurse to unit managing nurse performing administrative duties, fostering community relations and nurturing relations with his Alzheimer’s residents and their loved ones. He moved to Naples, Florida in 2006, continued his nursing career and gained recognition within the local Alzheimer’s Support Network for his compassion and dedication to the Alzheimer’s population he served
In 2017, Jurgen joined Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services as Office Manager, a move which was inevitable for his ties to the Whyte and Hoyt family, and his exposure to the funeral business and its operations since 1981.
Noah Hoyt
Apprentice
Email: noah@legacyoptions.com
Noah was born in Moscow Russia February 1st, 1999, and adopted by two wonderful parents from Massachusetts. At the age of one they brought him home where he would then spend the vast majority of his childhood growing up on the island of Marthas Vineyard.
As early as he can remember he has been integrated into funeral service, mainly helping his father Michael with anything he asked or just simply stopping by the funeral home on the walk home from school. Once the Hoyt family relocated to Naples, Florida to begin their journey with Legacy Options, Noah quickly jumped in to help his grandfather and father.
Noah is currently working in the family business and is intrigued at what is to come in his future. He is pursuing his license as both a Funeral director and embalmer.
Valerie Ziajka
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Email: valerie@legacyoptions.com
As a child of the military, Valerie moved around frequently throughout childhood; until her family settled in Naples.
After graduating from Gulf Coast High School, Valerie attended and graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelors in Forensic Studies and later a Masters in Criminal Forensics.
After working years with local law agencies as a Crime Scene Technician, Valerie switched focus to health and death care.
Valerie became a certified EMT and later moved from the ambulance to the E. R. as an ER Technician.
In 2022, Valerie joined Legacy Options as a funeral assistant. Currently, Valerie is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service.
Abby Spurling
Funeral Associate
Email: abby@legacyoptions.com
Abby was born and raised on the Jersey Shore before moving to Florida in 2022 to earn her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Gulf Coast University. During her social work internship with the Florida Department of Children and Families, Abby discovered a passion for supporting families during some of life's most meaningful moments. Inspired by that experience, she chose to pursue a career in the funeral profession and is currently working toward becoming a licensed funeral director. She is honored to help families celebrate the lives and legacies of their loved ones with dignity, compassion, and personalized care.
Outside of the funeral home, Abby enjoys shelling on the beautiful beaches of Southwest Florida, boating with family and friends, watching true crime documentaries, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles, and spending quality time with her boyfriend, Nick, their German Shepherd, Shelby, and cat, Nova.
Trinity Flint
Funeral Director & Embalmer Intern
Email: trinity@legacyoptions.com
Trinity began her career in funeral service after graduating from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in April 2026 with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science. Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, she currently serves as a Funeral Director Intern at Legacy Options, where she is dedicated to providing families with compassionate, thoughtful, and professional care.
Outside of funeral service, Trinity enjoys spending time with her cat, Frank, exploring new places, and embracing her creative side.
Jeremy J. Howell
Certified Crematory Operator
Email: jeremy@legacyoptions.com
Jeremy Howell brings extensive hands-on experience in the funeral and death-care industry, with a professional background spanning crematory operations, mortuary transportation, medical examiner support, and family service. His career has given him experience across multiple stages of the care process, from the initial transfer of the deceased through cremation and final disposition, providing him with a practical understanding of both the technical responsibilities of the profession and the importance of treating every individual entrusted to his care with dignity and respect.
As a Crematory Specialist, Jeremy specializes in crematory operations, equipment operation and troubleshooting, safety and regulatory compliance, facility procedures, and the training and development of crematory staff. He has made the technical side of funeral service his professional focus, continually expanding his knowledge of cremation, combustion systems, equipment maintenance, and best practices within the profession. Above all, he approaches his work with the understanding that behind every case is a person and a family who have placed their trust in the funeral home during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Bryan J. Ellison
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Email: bryan@legacyoptions.com
Bryan J. Ellison is a dedicated Funeral Director and Embalmer with 15 years of experience serving families during some of life’s most difficult moments. He joined the Legacy Team in 2026, bringing with him a wealth of experience, compassion, and a genuine commitment to providing exceptional care.
Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Bryan attended the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. He is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in both Florida and New York. Throughout his career, Bryan has made it his mission to provide personalized, compassionate care while honoring the unique needs, traditions, and cultures of every family he serves. He takes great pride in helping families navigate the funeral process with dignity, understanding, and respect.
Bryan’s passion for funeral service extends beyond his professional responsibilities. He believes that being present for families during their greatest time of need is both a privilege and a responsibility, and he strives to ensure that every family feels heard, supported, and cared for. Bryan was also a member of Chabad in Ewing, New Jersey, reflecting his connection to and appreciation for the Jewish community and its traditions.
Chase Jimenez
Certified Crematory Operator & Funeral Assistant
Email: chase@legacyoptions.com
Chase was Born and raised in New York, He bring more than 21 years of professional experience as a government contractor, along with nearly over four years of experience in funeral service. He began his journey in funeral service providing transportation for funeral homes before becoming a Funeral Director’s Assistant, a position he has held for two years. During that time, he became certified as a Crematory Operator through the Funeral Directors Association. Today, Chase proudly serve as a Crematory Operator and Funeral Director’s Assistant with Legacy Options in Naples, Florida.
Chase is passionate about the work he does and especially value the opportunity to help families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He believes every loved one entrusted to our care deserves to be treated with the utmost respect, dignity, compassion, professionalism, and attention to detail. Family is the most important thing to Chase, and he carry’s that same sense of care into the way he serves the families he helps and the people he works alongside. Chase has a genuine love and respect for everyone who crosses his path, and strives to make sure that every family knows their loved one is being cared for properly and with the dignity they deserve.
