Meet Our Staff

Mike grew up in Rensselaer and graduated from RCHS. He then earned his bachelor's degree in Business Management from Indiana University. 

Before joining the family business, he worked in retail sales management in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago. Afterwards, he graduated with honors from Ivy Tech Northwest with his associate degree in Mortuary Science. Mike joined the family business in 2010.

He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, the Rensselaer Lions Club, and the Rensselaer Alumni Association. He also serves as secretary of the Rensselaer Urban Forestry Council. Mike is a licensed funeral director and a licensed Indiana life insurance producer. 

In his free time, he enjoys movies, music, traveling, and spending time at the beach.

Jerry is a licensed funeral director and embalmer affiliated with Steinke Funeral Home for over 40 years. He takes great pride in creating memorable, personalized services for our families.

Jerry started his funeral service career in 1970 at 17 with a part-time position at Linton & McColly Funeral Home in Gary. After he graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1971, he took a full-time position at Stilinovich & Palmer Funeral Home. In 1979, he moved his family to Rensselaer and began his affiliation with Steinke Funeral Home in 1983. Jerry is a Ivy Tech East Chicago graduate with a Mortuary Science degree. 

He is a former member of the Advisory Board for the Mortuary Science Program at Ivy Tech East Chicago. He is currently a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. 

Jerry and his wife Cindy live on a farm near Francesville. He enjoys songwriting and woodworking.

Sally Niehoff has been a resident of Jasper County for over 20 years and lives in Rensselaer along with her son and his family. She has been in the funeral industry for over 10 years, serving as Preneed Specialist and Community Representative. In her time off, Sally enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, swimming and cooking and listening to live music.

Originally from the Jasper County area, Debi moved to Houston in 1987. She and her husband, Dwight, raised two daughters and enjoyed life in the south for over 30 years. 

After her husband's retirement in 2017, Debi and Dwight moved back to their hometown of Rensselaer. Debi has over 25 years of experience working in an office environment. She worked for many years in accounting and has even earned recognition in her role as an office manager. Debi enjoys spending time with her family, especially her beautiful grandchildren. She loves helping others, knitting and sewing.

Jennifer grew up in Newton County and graduated from North Newton High School in 1993. 

Jennifer joined Steinke Funeral Home with experience in healthcare and business management. She lives in Rensselaer with her family: Brandon (husband), Drew and Dawson (sons), and Mick (stepson). Jennifer is an active member of St. Augustine Catholic Church. She enjoys reading, helping others, and spending time with her family.

Calvin has been a lifelong resident of Rensselaer. He and his wife, Angie, have been married for over 50 years. They have three daughters: Mia, Carol, and Kelly. Before retiring, Calvina was a bus driver for Saint Joseph's College, Fair Oaks Farms, and the Rensselaer Central School Corporation. He is a member of the Iroquois Valley Christian Church.

Rich has been a lifelong resident of Rensselaer. He is a member of the Executive Board and President of the Jasper County Fair Association. He and his wife, Tina, enjoy camping, antiques, and flea markets.

As one of our administrative assistants, Kim takes calls from the Steinke Funeral Home phone. 

She grew up in Rensselaer and graduated from RCHS. She received a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from DePauw University and a master's in Physical Therapy from Andrews University.

Kim is a physical therapist who specializes in early intervention with young children. She is a parishioner at St. Augustine Catholic Church. She is married to Dr. Michael Drone, and they have four children: Carter, Carly, Carson, and Camryn. 

Cindy helps her husband, Jerry, provide compassionate service to our client families. She joined Steinke Funeral Home after retiring from U.S. Steel with 33 years of service. 

Together, she and Jerry have one daughter, Shelby. Cindy attends Bethel Bible Church, where she sings on the worship team. She also sings with the Jasper County Choraliers. Cindy enjoys roasting coffee and teaches coffee roasting at Career Development in Burns Harbor.

Suzanne is a lifelong resident of Rensselaer  who has dedicated her life to helping others. She is a 1960 graduate of Rensselaer High School and a graduate of the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. Suzanne was a Registered Nurse for 45 years, and was an EMT and Paramedic for 23 years. 

Suzanne and husband Larry owned and operated Steinke Ambulance Service in Rensselaer for 32 years. She was a founding member of Victorious Life Assembly of God Church in Remington, attends Brookside Church in Rensselaer, and is a member of Hiland Park Baptist Church in Panama City, FL. Suzanne is enjoying retirement and is dividing her time between Rensselaer and Panama City Beach, FL.

Larry opened Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer in 1973. He had been affiliated with the funeral home since graduating high school, when it was named Bradshaw Funeral Home and later Granlund Funeral Home. 

Larry was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 30 years. He dedicated his life to serving others and provided compassionate service to hundreds of families over the years. He passed away on January 27, 2021. He left us a wonderful legacy, and we miss him very much.