Our Team

Jon Kolssak

Owner, Funeral Director and Embalmer

I believe in people. I believe that every person is uniquely designed in God’s image. I believe that God designed me to serve people by helping them to create a meaningful life celebration that reflects a life well lived. I was born in 1974 to my parents Lou and Carolyn Kolssak. I am the youngest of three boys. I grew up above the funeral home and learned at a very young age to treat others greater than myself. I graduated from Wheeling High School in 1993 and excelled in football, academics and the fine arts such as musicals, jazz band and show choir. I attended Purdue University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and also had a band, Gift Horse that rocked the walls of stages around the Big Ten. I was truly blessed the last semester before graduation, I met a young woman Michelle Wishlinski who stole my heart. Once she graduated from Purdue and I from Worsham College of Mortuary Science we began our married life together. A few years later our family began with Karlynne and then Taylor. We are also pet parents of two dogs Rocky and Mickey. I take great pride in investing myself into the families that I serve to create a funeral experience that touches the heart and celebrates the moments in life that take our breath away.

Abigail "Abby" Clark

Funeral Director and Embalmer

Helping others has always been a central focus of my life. From a young age, I’ve made it a priority to bring smiles to people’s faces and offer support during their most difficult times. When it came time to choose a career, I felt a deep calling to funeral service. I wanted to be there for families as they navigate the loss of a loved one, easing their burdens as much as possible.

I grew up in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and graduated from Stevenson High School in 2012. After a year of studies at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, I decided to pursue funeral service at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina, where I graduated in 2016. Shortly after, I joined the team at Kolssak Funeral Home and earned my Funeral Director license in Illinois in 2017.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Matt. Together, we share a love for spending time with our friends and family, and we are always looking for new adventures to enjoy. Matt’s support and encouragement have been a driving force in both my personal and professional life, and I’m grateful to have him by my side.

I am incredibly grateful to be part of the Kolssak family, where I continue to learn and grow through their wealth of experience in the funeral service industry.

Rebecca Wilson

Funeral Director and Embalmer

Let me be your support through this challenging time, taking the burden of worry off your shoulders. I’m here to listen, offer comfort, and provide guidance while I manage the details to honor your loved one, allowing your family the space to grieve.

Born and raised in the small village of Hatley, WI, I was instilled with a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for community. I graduated from D.C. Everest High School in Schofield, WI, in 1994 and, two decades later, earned an associate's degree in Mortuary Science from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, IL. I am a licensed funeral director in both Illinois and Wisconsin, a preneed insurance agent, and serve as the secretary for the Lakeside Cemetery Board in Libertyville, IL. I live in Mundelein with my beloved four-legged pets. As a proud mother, I celebrate my son, Brodie, who graduated this year.

Outside of my professional life, I cherish quiet afternoons in the backyard, working on my miniature funeral home dollhouse, cleaning headstones, and volunteering within my community. I can often be found at Lakeside Cemetery, where I help renovate the Remembrance Garden, offering a special place for families to visit and honor their precious little ones who rest there.

My true passion is serving my community with care, respect, and compassion during their most difficult and overwhelming moments. Let me help heal your hearts with my hands and my heart.

I am deeply grateful to Kolssak Funeral Home for entrusting me with the care of their families and welcoming me into this incredible team.

Melissa Kolssak (Muck)

“Wears many hats” at the funeral home

Melissa is a dedicated and versatile team member, whether she’s handling office tasks, assisting families with pre-need arrangements, maintaining the facilities, or offering a helping hand wherever needed. She earned a BS in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHI) from Purdue University in 1992, and her background in hospitality brings a valuable, customer-focused perspective to the funeral home. Although not a licensed funeral director, Melissa is a licensed life insurance agent, which enables her to assist families in planning their funeral services in advance. Outside of work, she is a proud mother to two boys, David II and Chase. Known for her strong work ethic and her warm, approachable nature, Melissa always brings a smile to those around her.

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.

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!

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?

Dean Argiris

Funeral Assistant & Greek Liaison

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 Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church. I started funeral service when I was 16 years old when my godfather Peter (Taki) Adinamis ask me to join him and his Brother Dean Adinamis at the funeral home located at Western and Lawrence in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. There I learned the many traditions of the Greek community. I worked for John G. Adinamis for two decades continually serving the Greek community through the trusted traditions. Since leaving Adinamis I have been the conduit for Kolssak Funeral Home to better serve our community for the past 10 years. Together we formulated Chicago Greek Funerals. I have raised my children Sam and Alexandra, was the Past Village President and was on the Wheeling Board for 16 years.

Anna Maynard

Estate Aftercare Specialist

Anna grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, where years spent competitively figure skating taught her the importance of community, quiet support, and showing up for others. She later moved to Erie, Pennsylvania for high school and went on to attend Vanderbilt University, experiences that further deepened her appreciation for close-knit communities.

After the sudden passing of her older brother at just 28 years old, Anna became the person her family relied on. She coordinated his memorial and managed the many responsibilities that followed, experiencing firsthand how fragmented and overwhelming the system can be for families once the service ends. She later left her career at Spotify to found Honorly, a concierge service created to take on the time-consuming administrative work families are left to manage after a loss — from paperwork and account closures to coordination and follow-ups — so they are not forced to carry the burden alone.

Anna is honored to work alongside Kolssak Funeral Home in supporting families with care, compassion, and continued guidance beyond the funeral service.