Casey Miller
Executive Director
Casey began his career in cemetery and funeral home management in 1982 and has been actively involved with cemetery and funeral management since that time. In addition to his responsibilities at Divine Mercy Funeral Home and Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Casey is the Executive Director of the Indiana Cemetery Association. Casey has also served as the Chairman of the Indiana State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service in Indianapolis.
Casey and his wife Gloria have two children, Neal of Chicago and Lauren of Stevenson, WA.
Casey Miller
Executive Director
Casey began his career in cemetery and funeral home management in 1982 and has been actively involved with cemetery and funeral management since that time. In addition to his responsibilities at Divine Mercy Funeral Home and Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Casey is the Executive Director of the Indiana Cemetery Association. Casey has also served as the Chairman of the Indiana State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service in Indianapolis.
Casey and his wife Gloria have two children, Neal of Chicago and Lauren of Stevenson, WA.
Bill Hopkins
Managing Funeral Director
Bill has worked in the funeral industry for several years in various positions such as support staff/ office administration, crematory operator, pre-need sales, funeral director, and embalmer for several funeral homes in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area. Additionally, he has held management positions with companies outside of the funeral industry prior to entering mortuary school. He is a graduate of Ivy Tech and Indiana Institute of Technology.
Bill Hopkins
Managing Funeral Director
Bill has worked in the funeral industry for several years in various positions such as support staff/ office administration, crematory operator, pre-need sales, funeral director, and embalmer for several funeral homes in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area. Additionally, he has held management positions with companies outside of the funeral industry prior to entering mortuary school. He is a graduate of Ivy Tech and Indiana Institute of Technology.
Richard J. "Ric" Palmisano
Funeral Director- Location Manager
Ric Palmisano is a seasoned Funeral Director with over 35 years of dedicated service in the funeral industry. Ric’s journey began at the age of fourteen, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to providing compassionate care and support during life’s most challenging moments.
Ric has had the privilege of serving diverse communities across various regions, including over two decades in southwest Michigan, two years in central Arizona, and most recently, more than twelve years in northwest Indiana, as a Licensed Funeral Director in those states.
Ric is a graduate of Southwestern Michigan College and Wayne State University where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science.
Outside of his professional life, Ric enjoys traveling, dining out, camping, and running. He values spending time with his family including his wife, Rachelle, and cherished pets, Koa, Hattie, and Bimford.
Richard J. "Ric" Palmisano
Funeral Director- Location Manager
Ric Palmisano is a seasoned Funeral Director with over 35 years of dedicated service in the funeral industry. Ric’s journey began at the age of fourteen, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to providing compassionate care and support during life’s most challenging moments.
Ric has had the privilege of serving diverse communities across various regions, including over two decades in southwest Michigan, two years in central Arizona, and most recently, more than twelve years in northwest Indiana, as a Licensed Funeral Director in those states.
Ric is a graduate of Southwestern Michigan College and Wayne State University where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science.
Outside of his professional life, Ric enjoys traveling, dining out, camping, and running. He values spending time with his family including his wife, Rachelle, and cherished pets, Koa, Hattie, and Bimford.
Jaclyn Kistler
Funeral Director
Jaclyn Kistler was born and raised in a small town in South Dakota where she grew up in the Catholic faith. She was a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard and served as an Army Medic. Jaclyn received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota in 1996. After college, she was commissioned in the United States Army and served for five years as an officer in the Medical Service Corps. Jaclyn continues to honor her fellow veterans by serving on the Honor Guard at American Legion Post 241. She has over 7 years of experience in the funeral business and completed her degree in Mortuary Science in 2021. Providing dignity and respect for the departed and compassion for the living is her passion and she is committed to serving families in their time of need.
Jaclyn and her husband Robert have lived in Fort Wayne for over 15 years. They have two children, Kaylyn and Nathan.
Jaclyn Kistler
Funeral Director
Jaclyn Kistler was born and raised in a small town in South Dakota where she grew up in the Catholic faith. She was a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard and served as an Army Medic. Jaclyn received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota in 1996. After college, she was commissioned in the United States Army and served for five years as an officer in the Medical Service Corps. Jaclyn continues to honor her fellow veterans by serving on the Honor Guard at American Legion Post 241. She has over 7 years of experience in the funeral business and completed her degree in Mortuary Science in 2021. Providing dignity and respect for the departed and compassion for the living is her passion and she is committed to serving families in their time of need.
Jaclyn and her husband Robert have lived in Fort Wayne for over 15 years. They have two children, Kaylyn and Nathan.
Richard G. Koschnick
Staff Position
Dick is an Indianapolis native, who attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Ball State University, and Mid-America College of Funeral Service. Receiving his funeral director’s license in 1983, Dick has spent a lifetime in funeral service. He served the Fort Wayne community as a funeral director from 1984 until 2007 and was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. He then relocated to South Bend but accepted an offer to return to Fort Wayne in February 2023 to join the staff at Divine Mercy, and is proud to be a part of a very professional, compassionate staff and a beautiful facility, who are expanding to meet the growing needs of the families to which they are of service. Outside of the funeral home, Dick enjoys the time spent with family & friends at the lake.
Richard G. Koschnick
Staff Position
Dick is an Indianapolis native, who attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Ball State University, and Mid-America College of Funeral Service. Receiving his funeral director’s license in 1983, Dick has spent a lifetime in funeral service. He served the Fort Wayne community as a funeral director from 1984 until 2007 and was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. He then relocated to South Bend but accepted an offer to return to Fort Wayne in February 2023 to join the staff at Divine Mercy, and is proud to be a part of a very professional, compassionate staff and a beautiful facility, who are expanding to meet the growing needs of the families to which they are of service. Outside of the funeral home, Dick enjoys the time spent with family & friends at the lake.
J. Michael Krill
Funeral Director
Mike is a fourth-generation funeral director with over four decades of service as an owner, funeral director, and embalmer with Krill Funeral Service in Edgerton, Edon and Bryan, Ohio. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is licensed in both Indiana and Ohio. Throughout his career he has been active with the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, serving as past president, and the National Funeral Directors Association, serving two terms on the Policy Board and as at-large representative to the Executive Board. He also served his community as a school board member and was proud to have served as an EMT for twenty-five years. He is dedicated to serving families with compassion, professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail during life’s most challenging moments.
Mike and his wife, Becky, are the proud parents of a daughter, Lindsey; a son, Evan, and his wife, Sarah; and a granddaughter, Stella.
J. Michael Krill
Funeral Director
Mike is a fourth-generation funeral director with over four decades of service as an owner, funeral director, and embalmer with Krill Funeral Service in Edgerton, Edon and Bryan, Ohio. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is licensed in both Indiana and Ohio. Throughout his career he has been active with the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, serving as past president, and the National Funeral Directors Association, serving two terms on the Policy Board and as at-large representative to the Executive Board. He also served his community as a school board member and was proud to have served as an EMT for twenty-five years. He is dedicated to serving families with compassion, professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail during life’s most challenging moments.
Mike and his wife, Becky, are the proud parents of a daughter, Lindsey; a son, Evan, and his wife, Sarah; and a granddaughter, Stella.
Kent C. Miller
Funeral Director and Pre-Planning Advisor
Kent was born in Elkhart, IN, and moved to Fort Wayne in 1986 to start his career after graduating from Mid-America College of Funeral Service. He was thrilled to join Divine Mercy Funeral Home and Catholic Cemetery in January of 2023. Kent has worked with many funeral homes in the area over his career and feels that working for a not-for-profit funeral home that serves all faiths in the community affordably is the right fit for him. Along with being a licensed funeral director he is also a licensed funeral pre-panning specialist and brings this vast experience to the families he helps during difficult times. Kent has been married to his wife Carol since 1989 and they have 2 sons Kyle (Gabby) and Grant whom they raised in the Leo community. He is also the proud Papa of 4 grandchildren Easton, Halen, Fallon, and Boston. Kent enjoys traveling, poker and euchre nights with friends, and spending time with family. He looks forward to using his passion for serving others to help Divine Mercy Funeral Home.
Kent C. Miller
Funeral Director and Pre-Planning Advisor
Kent was born in Elkhart, IN, and moved to Fort Wayne in 1986 to start his career after graduating from Mid-America College of Funeral Service. He was thrilled to join Divine Mercy Funeral Home and Catholic Cemetery in January of 2023. Kent has worked with many funeral homes in the area over his career and feels that working for a not-for-profit funeral home that serves all faiths in the community affordably is the right fit for him. Along with being a licensed funeral director he is also a licensed funeral pre-panning specialist and brings this vast experience to the families he helps during difficult times. Kent has been married to his wife Carol since 1989 and they have 2 sons Kyle (Gabby) and Grant whom they raised in the Leo community. He is also the proud Papa of 4 grandchildren Easton, Halen, Fallon, and Boston. Kent enjoys traveling, poker and euchre nights with friends, and spending time with family. He looks forward to using his passion for serving others to help Divine Mercy Funeral Home.
John Pontius
Funeral Director
John grew up in Blackford County where he acquired over 30 years of experience in the funeral profession working the majority of his years with Glancy Funeral Homes and Genda Funeral Homes. He is a graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville.
John and his wife Amy have five children, Andrew and wife Allie, Mary, Lauren, Benjamin, and Jenna, two grandsons, Lincoln and Asher, and a granddaughter, Emma. They enjoy camping and spending time with family and friends.
John Pontius
Funeral Director
John grew up in Blackford County where he acquired over 30 years of experience in the funeral profession working the majority of his years with Glancy Funeral Homes and Genda Funeral Homes. He is a graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville.
John and his wife Amy have five children, Andrew and wife Allie, Mary, Lauren, Benjamin, and Jenna, two grandsons, Lincoln and Asher, and a granddaughter, Emma. They enjoy camping and spending time with family and friends.
Patrick Sefton
Funeral Director
Patrick E. Sefton has been a licensed funeral director for almost 40 years and has always viewed his profession as an honor to serve
rather than a job. Patrick graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science (Chicago, IL) in 1984. Patrick has worked most of his life helping families in Decatur, IN, and the surrounding area as a funeral director.
Patrick resides in Decatur with his wife Susan, and boys Luke, John, and Joshua, who went to his eternal rest at the age of 30 as well as his 3 grandchildren. Pat enjoys spending time with family and the outdoors, most especially fishing trips with his family and friends.
Patrick Sefton
Funeral Director
Patrick E. Sefton has been a licensed funeral director for almost 40 years and has always viewed his profession as an honor to serve
rather than a job. Patrick graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science (Chicago, IL) in 1984. Patrick has worked most of his life helping families in Decatur, IN, and the surrounding area as a funeral director.
Patrick resides in Decatur with his wife Susan, and boys Luke, John, and Joshua, who went to his eternal rest at the age of 30 as well as his 3 grandchildren. Pat enjoys spending time with family and the outdoors, most especially fishing trips with his family and friends.
Gary Oursler
Funeral Director, Retired
In 1975, Gary graduated from Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis, Indiana, with an Associate’s Degree in mortuary science. He went on to receive his Indiana Funeral Directors and Embalmers License in May of 1980. Gary began his funeral career in Rockport, IN where he worked until enlisting in the US Navy. Gary served as an Operations Specialist aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence CV-62 from 1976 to 1979. He was privileged to be among the elite few Operations Specialists to attend Air Intercept Controller School. Following his service in the Navy, Gary was the Coroner for Jennings County, Indiana.
Gary now lives with his family in Fort Wayne. He is a member of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, Father Solanus Casey Council # 11276. He enjoys serving the community by helping families at Divine Mercy.
Gary Oursler
Funeral Director, Retired
In 1975, Gary graduated from Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis, Indiana, with an Associate’s Degree in mortuary science. He went on to receive his Indiana Funeral Directors and Embalmers License in May of 1980. Gary began his funeral career in Rockport, IN where he worked until enlisting in the US Navy. Gary served as an Operations Specialist aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence CV-62 from 1976 to 1979. He was privileged to be among the elite few Operations Specialists to attend Air Intercept Controller School. Following his service in the Navy, Gary was the Coroner for Jennings County, Indiana.
Gary now lives with his family in Fort Wayne. He is a member of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, Father Solanus Casey Council # 11276. He enjoys serving the community by helping families at Divine Mercy.
