History & Staff

James F. Burns Owner/Funeral Director

Jim was born and raised in Gary. He is the President of Burns Funeral Home. The son of Edward and Genevieve, he is the third generation to enter the Burns family business. He is a graduate of Andrean High School, class of 1969. He continued his education at Colorado State University where studied business management. Jim graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1974 and has been a licensed funeral director since 1975. He is married to Sally (nee Schleicher) and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. He is a member of St. Bridget Church in Hobart, the Knights of Columbus, St. Thomas Council and Serra Club. He is presently a member and past president of both Hobart and Merrillville Kiwanis clubs, Hobart Phi Delts, Hobart Elks Club, the Winfield Chamber of Commerce, the Lake County Courthouse Foundation, Gary Old Timers Board of Directors, Gary Sportsman Club, Center for Possibilities and Innsbrook Country Club. Jim has served as President of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, and was also a member of both Merrillville and Hobart Rotary Clubs He enjoys golf, water sports and snow skiing

Sally Burns Pre-need Consultant

Sally was born in Gary and raised in Miller and Merrillville. She and Jim have been married since 1976. Sally graduated from Merrillville High School in 1969 and received her bachelor of science in education at Indiana State. She is a member of St. Bridget Church and a member of Phi Beta Psi Sorority. She enjoys helping others and spending time with her family. She and Jim resided in Hobart for over 30 years and now live in Valparaiso. They have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

James E. Burns Vice-President/Funeral Director

Jim was born in Crown Point and raised in Hobart. He is the son of Jim and Sally Burns and a 4th generation funeral director. Jim graduated from Hobart High School in 1998. He received his bachelor of science in business management from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 2003. He attended Ivy Tech State College where he received his associate of applied science in mortuary science in 2005 and was a member of the program’s first graduating class. Upon graduation, Jim served as an instructor at Ivy Tech, teaching both Introduction to Funeral Service and Grief Psychology courses, as well as assisting with embalming practicum. He has been a licensed funeral director/embalmer since 2006. He is a member of the Indiana Funeral Director’s Association, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the Friendly Sons of Erin, Anytime Fitness, and the Innsbrook Country Club Men’s Golf League. Jim resides in Crown Point and has a son, Caden and daughter, Kaia. He enjoys exercising, golfing, boating, waterskiing, and most of all, spending time with his family and friends.

Patrick Burns Vice-President

Patrick was born in Oak Park, IL and raised in Valparaiso. He is the son of Terrence, the former president of Burns Funeral Home who passed away in 2009, and Mary Beth Burns. Patrick is a graduate of Valparaiso High School’s Class of 1990. He has been involved in the funeral business since he was twelve years old. Patrick is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, The Friendly Sons of Erin, and The Knights of Columbus. He enjoys riding motorcycles, boating, and snowmobiling. Patrick, his wife Heather, and their sons Ryan and Hayden, make their home in Valparaiso.

Kristy Bish Funeral Director/ Compliance and OSHA Officer

Kristy is born and raised in Hobart, Indiana. She graduated from Hobart High School in 2001. After high school she attended Purdue University before going to IVY Tech where she obtained her Mortuary Science degree in 2005. Kristy has been with Burns Funeral Home at different periods of time since 2010. Kristy has 2 children. She and her husband and children currently reside in Portage. Kristy volunteers much for her time serving on the board for Portage Junior Miss Softball where she serves as the Umpire in Charge. Kristy loves softball, cruising, and being with her friends.

Jeannine Clark Office Manager/Administrative Assistant

Jeannine Clark was born in Oak Park, Illinois and grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana. Jeannine is the daughter of Terrence Burns. She’s been working as an administrative assistant for Burns Funeral Home (Crown Point) since 2021. Prior to working for Burns she spent 24 years working for construction companies in Detroit, MI and Las Vegas, NV in administrative roles. Jeannine has been married to her husband, Charlie, for 29 years and they live in Valparaiso. She enjoys working for Burns Funeral Home and the opportunity to serve families

Connie A Schleicher Administrative Assistant

Connie was born in Gary and raised in Miller and Merrillville. She graduated from Merrillville High School in 1975. Connie has worked for Burns Funeral Home as an administrative Assistant since 2016. She resides in Crown Point with Dennis Schaafsma, and they have one son, Eric; a step daughter Rhiannon and her four children. Connie enjoys golfing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Sallie LeCounte Administrative Assistant

Sallie resides in Portage, Indiana with her husband, son, and their Yorkie named River. She graduated from Portage High School in 2004. Sallie is always up for an adventure with her family and friends. She is a proud den leader for Cub Scout Pack 316. Sallie enjoys all facets of music from traveling to see her favorite musicians, writing and playing her own music, performing for a crowd or just for herself in the car. When she does have free time, she likes to read, listen to audiobooks, and research and learn about various topics that spark her interest.

Heather Burns Bookkeeper

Heather Burns is the wife of Patrick Burns. Heather is the bookkeeper for Burns Funeral Home and manages Burns Pets Remembered. She has two sons and resides in Valparaiso with her family.

Andrew Imbragulio Assistant/ Crematory Operator

Ryan Burns Assistant

Ryan Burns is the son of Patrick Burns. He serves in all aspects of the family business. Ryan lives in Valparaiso with his family and loves motocross.

Briana Angelini Monument Specialist

Briana was born and raised in Crown Point, Indiana. She went to St. Mary's Catholic Community School. In 2000 Bri graduated from Crown Point High School. She worked as a cosmologist for five years, she then went on to IVY Tech for Mortuary Science. She has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2006 and has a daughter who is currently in junior high. Briana and her family reside in Lakes of the Four Seasons. Briana has worked at Burns Funeral Home since 2019.

Jef Jarecki Visitation Assistant

Jef Jarecki enjoys the privilege of serving families and guests during visitations and funerals. He strives to fulfill your needs and requests to provide the best, personalized service possible. Prior to joining the Burns team, Jef spent most of his life in jobs serving others. He worked 15 years in retail management and retired after 31 years as a carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. He has been a drummer for over 50 years, playing in several bands, churches and theaters across the region.
Jef and his wonderful wife Juanita have 4 sons and 7 grandchildren who keep them busy! He enjoys disc golf, fishing, projects around the house and quiet evenings with his wife and their three beagles.

Karen Kinder Visitation Attendant

Hi My name is Karen Kinder. I was born and raised in Northwest Indiana. I have been married to my husband, Dave for 29 years and have four children, three boys and one girl. My greatest enjoyment is going to Texas and Arizona to visit my 5 grandchildren, soon to be 6. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cooking and gardening. Working at Burns Funeral Home is one of the true joys in my life. They make me feel like family. I find happiness in providing care and compassion for those experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one. I enjoy helping families get through the toughest times in their lives. I appreciate the Burns family for their wholehearted commitment of providing a healing and professional service from start to finish and feel they are making a lasting impact within our community.

Julie Mirabella Visitation Attendant

Hi I am Julie Mirabella. I am a Visitation Assistance at Burns Funeral Home. I have worked here for almost 7 years. I am married to a wonderful husband with two kids and a grandson. I have my degree in Psychology and was involved in Bethel Church Celebrate Recovery Ministry for eleven years. I consider it a privilege and a blessing to minister to families at Burns on one of the hardest days of their lives.

Dawn Lowry Visitation Attendant

Regis McMahon Assistant

Regis has been part of the Burns Funeral Home team for over 6 years. He's served as an assistant in many areas of our operations. Regis cares deeply about families going through the loss of a loved one. He is a long time resident of N.W. Indiana and is happy to do whatever is needed for our families.

Janice Rimer Visitation Attendant

Chuck Scheuer Funeral Director

Kimberly Gallagher-Walla Funeral Director

Kimberly is a lifelong Hobart resident. She graduated from Hobart High School in 1991. She then graduated from Creative Hairstyling Academy in 1992 where she achieved her cosmetologist license. She began working for Burns Funeral Home in 2004 as a hairdresser. She later attended and graduated from IVY Tech Community College in East Chicago. She then achieved her Funeral Director/Mortician license from the State of Indiana. Kim has two children and three grandchildren. She is married to David Walla of Hobart, and enjoys spending her time as a wife, mom, gigi, friend, and animal lover..

James Edward Burns Founder/ Owner

In Loving Memory
1875-1948

Edward James Burns Founder

In Loving Memory
1906-1995

Terrence P. Burns Owner/ Funeral Director

In Loving Memory
1939-2009

Leslie Martorell Preneed Counselor