Jon Kolssak - Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer

David Kolssak -  Director of Information Technology, Funeral Director

He is also a graduate of Purdue University with a BS in Management (M 91). Although not in the funeral home on a day to day basis, David helps to manage the overall strategic direction and financial strength of the funeral home.  Working with his brother Jon, David successfully petitioned the local government to allow for alcohol to be served in a dignified and meaningful way for those families who choose to add this service to their life celebrations.  David, who is the president of TURNkey IT, helps to  integrate useful technologies in the funeral home. Things have come a long way from the single pc that David implemented in 1987 while still in high school.  From the digital register book to public / private wifi segmentation, to audio / video distribution, and information systems, the funeral home is a sophisticated implementor of useful technologies that help to deliver unique and quality services for the families we serve. Picture is taken just after we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at the Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas.  Elvis performed the vow renewal ceremony.  What great fun!

Melissa Kolssak (Muck) - “Wears many hats” at the funeral home. 

From working in the office to assisting families to pre-need arrangements to cleaning the facilities to generally lending a hand wherever necessary. Melissa graduated  with a BS in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management (RHI) from Purdue University in 1992.  Her education and experience in the hospitality industry gives Melissa a unique perspective in the funeral home. Although not a licensed funeral director, she is a licensed life insurance agent which allows her to pre-arrange funeral services for the many families we serve.  When not in the funeral home, Melissa is the mother of two boys – David II and Chase. Melissa has an excellent work ethic and always has a smile on her face. 

Louis Kolssak - Director of OT (Other Things)

Having grown up in the family business, I was able to see my parents and grandparents working together to take care of the families who came to our funeral home. As a working teenager and member of a small business family, I experienced first-hand what it meant to take care of a customer and serve a family in need. Both in the business and in our home, we were always ready for that unexpected phone call from someone who experienced a sudden loss. 

Since that time, I’ve spent close to 25 years in other industries, but always in a services role where I could help clients and solve customer problems. As an industrial engineer, management consultant and even a product manager, I’ve had a heart for serving customers that traces back to my family and this business. Today I am involved with the family business again, but largely behind the scenes. 

If you happen to find your way to Kolssak Funeral Home, I’m thankful that you have found us and I’m sure you’ll be served well here. My hope is that you’ll be welcomed, loved and cared for as a family member would, and that your experience will be more than just good customer service. I hope that we can be a comfort and an encouragement  to you, in exactly the way you need it most.

Michelle Kolssak (Wishlinski)

I was born in Belgium, grew up in Naperville, attended High School in Switzerland, graduated High School back in Naperville and graduated from Purdue University where I studied child and family development.  A lot of the lessons learned from collegiate studies transfers very well into funeral service.  Serving people in their time of need comes second nature to me.  Funny story when I was eight years old while riding in the car with my mom and I said, “When I grow up, I want to live there, they are always having parties.”  My mom replied, “Those are different types of celebrations, that’s a funeral home.”  Isn’t it interesting where life takes you?

Corey A. Johnston - Funeral Director and Embalmer

I was born the second of three boys in the small South Central Illinois town of Mattoon. I began working in funeral service while attending high school. I learned from the start the value of service, professionalism, and a personal touch. After completing my education at Worsham College of Mortuary Science and serving my apprenticeship I found a new and unique family funeral home to plant my roots and grow and serve the surrounding community. I am blessed to have met my lovely wife, Heather, who understands the funeral industry and allows me to step away from our family to serve others in their time of need. We enjoy spoiling our Scottish Terrier, Piper. Most of our free time is spent riding our Harleys, we are active members and I serve as Director of the Lake Shore H.O.G. Chapter. I am also passionate about funeral service education, I currently lecture at professional seminars and mortuary schools on how to become a better embalmer. Although I have moved away from small town America I still hold true to the values of honest hometown family centered service that best fits the needs of every unique and different family I serve.

Abigail "Abby" Yost - Funeral Director and Embalmer

Helping people has always been a priority in my life. Ever since childhood, I tried my best to put a smile on people’s faces and to support others during times of need. When it was time to think about careers, I felt a calling to funeral service. I want to help families when they suffer the loss of a loved one and remove as much burden from families as possible.

I grew up locally in Vernon Hills, Illinois. I attended Stevenson High School and graduated in 2012. I have a rescue cat named Cami and had the most lovable Puggle for 15 and a half years.

I completed one year of studies at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota in 2013. Subsequently, I studied funeral service at Fayetteville Community College in North Carolina and graduated in 2016. After graduation, I was offered a position at the Kolssak Funeral Home and obtained my Funeral Director license from the state of Illinois in 2017. I could not be happier working for the Kolssak family where I continue to learn from their years of experience in the funeral service business. 

Dean Argiris - Funeral Assistant

I live my life with a passion to serve others.  I am consistently looking for ways to improve my community.  I am an active member at Saint Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church.  I am very blessed to share my life with my wife Marian and my children Sam and Alexandra.  I am excited to be a part of the Kolssak Team.  Their attention to detail and ability to make complicated situations simple are integral to a good funeral experience.  It is my goal along with the professional services of Kolssak Funeral Home, to become the leading funeral provider for the Greek Orthodox Community.
"Energy and persistence conquer all things." — Benjamin Franklin