Jarod Steffen
Funeral Director - Owner
Jarod has been a Funeral Director serving the Fort Wayne area for over a decade. He became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2005. He is actively involved in his church community, the Leo Apostolic Christian Church, and also supports the Leo-Grabill Little League and Fort Wayne Rescue Mission. Jarod is an avid runner and supporter of local running events and fundraisers. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. “My father and grandfather owned a small-town, local business all of their lives,” Jarod said. “Their dedication to their community inspires me to believe that local businesses, when possible, are the best choice for the community.”
Jarod Steffen
Funeral Director - Owner
Jarod has been a Funeral Director serving the Fort Wayne area for over a decade. He became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2005. He is actively involved in his church community, the Leo Apostolic Christian Church, and also supports the Leo-Grabill Little League and Fort Wayne Rescue Mission. Jarod is an avid runner and supporter of local running events and fundraisers. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. “My father and grandfather owned a small-town, local business all of their lives,” Jarod said. “Their dedication to their community inspires me to believe that local businesses, when possible, are the best choice for the community.”
Mark Scheidt
Funeral Director - Owner
Mark has been a funeral director for 28 years, and he has a remarkable list of accomplishments and affiliations. He’s a member of the Gideons, the Pathway Community Church, and the YMCA. He has taught Sunday School for 20 years, and served as a youth leader for High School Men for a decade. On the more personal side, the father of four has been married for 30 years and is a grandfather of one. "I feel so fortunate to love what I do. I am permitted to serve and love my brothers and sisters in a time of brokenness and hurt. This is true ministry," Mark said recently. "Fort Wayne is our home. A city that continues to grow and change, but its traditional values and strong families remain the same."
Mark Scheidt
Funeral Director - Owner
Mark has been a funeral director for 28 years, and he has a remarkable list of accomplishments and affiliations. He’s a member of the Gideons, the Pathway Community Church, and the YMCA. He has taught Sunday School for 20 years, and served as a youth leader for High School Men for a decade. On the more personal side, the father of four has been married for 30 years and is a grandfather of one. "I feel so fortunate to love what I do. I am permitted to serve and love my brothers and sisters in a time of brokenness and hurt. This is true ministry," Mark said recently. "Fort Wayne is our home. A city that continues to grow and change, but its traditional values and strong families remain the same."
Britton Claghorn
Funeral Director - Owner
Britton began his funeral service career in 2005 in Bluffton, Indiana. He graduated from Vincennes University with a degree in Funeral Services in 2007 and became a licensed Funeral Director in 2008. Britton is actively involved in the Apostolic Christian Church. He enjoys spending time outdoors taking care of his property, shooting, and being with his family. Britton and his wife Sarah have three boys, Kayden, Remington, and Kameron. "Being from a small town means that I will take care of your family like it was my own," he said recently. "I'm committed to building a lasting relationship and will do whatever I can to make your experience memorable and unique."
Britton Claghorn
Funeral Director - Owner
Britton began his funeral service career in 2005 in Bluffton, Indiana. He graduated from Vincennes University with a degree in Funeral Services in 2007 and became a licensed Funeral Director in 2008. Britton is actively involved in the Apostolic Christian Church. He enjoys spending time outdoors taking care of his property, shooting, and being with his family. Britton and his wife Sarah have three boys, Kayden, Remington, and Kameron. "Being from a small town means that I will take care of your family like it was my own," he said recently. "I'm committed to building a lasting relationship and will do whatever I can to make your experience memorable and unique."
Lucas Glessner
Funeral Director - Owner
Lucas has been in the funeral business for 18 years and served Fort Wayne and the surrounding communities for 16 of those years. He was born in Indiana and raised just minutes north of Fort Wayne in Avilla. Lucas is happily married to his wife, Amber, and they have two children. “My desire is to bring personalized quality and affordable funeral service back to a locally owned and operated funeral home,” he said.
Lucas Glessner
Funeral Director - Owner
Lucas has been in the funeral business for 18 years and served Fort Wayne and the surrounding communities for 16 of those years. He was born in Indiana and raised just minutes north of Fort Wayne in Avilla. Lucas is happily married to his wife, Amber, and they have two children. “My desire is to bring personalized quality and affordable funeral service back to a locally owned and operated funeral home,” he said.
Mark Fremion
Funeral Director
Mark has served the community of Fort Wayne for 35 years as a funeral director. He is married to his wife of 48 years, Deb, and they have three children, Kurt, Jennifer, and Dustin; three grandchildren, Mason, Avery, and Olive; and his cat, Elliott. Mark is a member at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He finds great purpose in his work and is thankful to be embraced by the community for so many years.
Mark Fremion
Funeral Director
Mark has served the community of Fort Wayne for 35 years as a funeral director. He is married to his wife of 48 years, Deb, and they have three children, Kurt, Jennifer, and Dustin; three grandchildren, Mason, Avery, and Olive; and his cat, Elliott. Mark is a member at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He finds great purpose in his work and is thankful to be embraced by the community for so many years.
Elaine Auer
Funeral Director
Elaine has been a licensed funeral director since 2016 and has been serving the Fort Wayne area since 2017. She grew up north of Fort Wayne in Kendallville. She and her husband have two children, and they are members of Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Elaine Auer
Funeral Director
Elaine has been a licensed funeral director since 2016 and has been serving the Fort Wayne area since 2017. She grew up north of Fort Wayne in Kendallville. She and her husband have two children, and they are members of Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Kevin Thomas
Funeral Director
Kevin has been part of the Fairhaven family for four years, joining us as an assistant. He became a licensed funeral director in 2023. He moved to Fort Wayne in 2014 when he met his wife, Jennifer. Kevin served twelve years in the Indiana Air National Guard and served in Afghanistan and Kuwait. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2021.
Kevin Thomas
Funeral Director
Kevin has been part of the Fairhaven family for four years, joining us as an assistant. He became a licensed funeral director in 2023. He moved to Fort Wayne in 2014 when he met his wife, Jennifer. Kevin served twelve years in the Indiana Air National Guard and served in Afghanistan and Kuwait. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2021.
Kelly Nusbaum
Funeral Director
Kelly was born and raised in Fort Wayne and is a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. She lost her husband to cancer in 2017, and this awakened in her a desire to help families in this time of grief. A year later she started working in funeral service in various capacities while studying mortuary science. Kelly graduated from Vincennes University and received her Funeral Director’s license in 2022. “I am honored to walk with families on this part of their journey as they lay their loved ones to rest, caring for them with attention and devotion.” Kelly has four children, Abby, Mallory, Allie and Oliver.
Kelly Nusbaum
Funeral Director
Kelly was born and raised in Fort Wayne and is a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. She lost her husband to cancer in 2017, and this awakened in her a desire to help families in this time of grief. A year later she started working in funeral service in various capacities while studying mortuary science. Kelly graduated from Vincennes University and received her Funeral Director’s license in 2022. “I am honored to walk with families on this part of their journey as they lay their loved ones to rest, caring for them with attention and devotion.” Kelly has four children, Abby, Mallory, Allie and Oliver.
Aaron Brown
Funeral Director
Aaron moved to Fort Wayne at a young age and is proud to be able to serve and care for the people in this Indiana community. He graduated from Taylor University in 2020 with a degree in Christian Ministry, and has since found much joy serving and walking alongside families at Fairhaven. Aaron graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science early in 2024 and is excited to step into this profession wholeheartedly. Aaron mostly enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife Mary, and he also enjoys producing music, going for walks, playing frisbee golf, and living in community with others at First Missionary Church. “I am so thankful to be serving at FairHaven, where we care so deeply about people and where we are genuinely glad to be with people in the midst of loss and difficulty.”
Aaron Brown
Funeral Director
Aaron moved to Fort Wayne at a young age and is proud to be able to serve and care for the people in this Indiana community. He graduated from Taylor University in 2020 with a degree in Christian Ministry, and has since found much joy serving and walking alongside families at Fairhaven. Aaron graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science early in 2024 and is excited to step into this profession wholeheartedly. Aaron mostly enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife Mary, and he also enjoys producing music, going for walks, playing frisbee golf, and living in community with others at First Missionary Church. “I am so thankful to be serving at FairHaven, where we care so deeply about people and where we are genuinely glad to be with people in the midst of loss and difficulty.”
Cassie Balfanz
Office Manager
Cassie was raised just north of Fort Wayne in the small town of LaOtto. She is a graduate of Indiana University, Indianapolis. Cassie is Jewish, and a member of the local synagogue, Congregation Achduth Vesholom. She has three Boxer dogs, Homer, Berlin, and Brutus. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening, and going to local events. Cassie has made Fort Wayne her home since 2020 and is fond of the sense of community around her.
Cassie Balfanz
Office Manager
Cassie was raised just north of Fort Wayne in the small town of LaOtto. She is a graduate of Indiana University, Indianapolis. Cassie is Jewish, and a member of the local synagogue, Congregation Achduth Vesholom. She has three Boxer dogs, Homer, Berlin, and Brutus. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening, and going to local events. Cassie has made Fort Wayne her home since 2020 and is fond of the sense of community around her.
Julie Wegner
Administrative Assistant
Julie has over 25 years of administrative experience and was a Communications Director for her church for 10 years. She was born in Muncie, Indiana and attended Ball State. She is a graduate of Ivy Tech. Julie and her husband, John, have been married for over 36 years and have three children, Jessica, Jacob (Blair), Jennifer (AJ), and she is the proud grandmother of JJ, Eleanor, Eliza, Indy, and Vivian. She enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, reading and is actively involved in her church. ”I have truly found my calling, ministering to families during their times of grief and helping them honor their loved ones. I am positively blessed and honored to be a part of the FairHaven family.”
Julie Wegner
Administrative Assistant
Julie has over 25 years of administrative experience and was a Communications Director for her church for 10 years. She was born in Muncie, Indiana and attended Ball State. She is a graduate of Ivy Tech. Julie and her husband, John, have been married for over 36 years and have three children, Jessica, Jacob (Blair), Jennifer (AJ), and she is the proud grandmother of JJ, Eleanor, Eliza, Indy, and Vivian. She enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, reading and is actively involved in her church. ”I have truly found my calling, ministering to families during their times of grief and helping them honor their loved ones. I am positively blessed and honored to be a part of the FairHaven family.”
Jill Jordan
Prearrangement Counselor
Jill is a licensed prearrangement advisor who began her work at a locally owned funeral home. She is honored to join Jarod, Britton, Mark and Lucas in their efforts to support the local community in a preneed capacity. A Fort Wayne native who graduated from Bishop Luers High School and Indiana University, Jill is also an active member of St. Charles Borromeo. Jill and her husband Dan have three children, Leo, Vivienne and Matilda. “I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful team and to be able to serve our community.”
Jill Jordan
Prearrangement Counselor
Jill is a licensed prearrangement advisor who began her work at a locally owned funeral home. She is honored to join Jarod, Britton, Mark and Lucas in their efforts to support the local community in a preneed capacity. A Fort Wayne native who graduated from Bishop Luers High School and Indiana University, Jill is also an active member of St. Charles Borromeo. Jill and her husband Dan have three children, Leo, Vivienne and Matilda. “I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful team and to be able to serve our community.”
Lisa Schenkel
Prearrangement Counselor
Lisa is a Fort Wayne native who graduated from University of Saint Francis. She believes it is an honor to guide families through the process of making funeral prearrangements, and feels her kindness, empathy and charisma have lead her to this position. Lisa has also been involved in the community as a soccer coach. She has been elected to athletic boards and continues to volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul. Lisa is married to Paul, and they have four children: Tony, Hannah, Bella, and PJ.
Lisa Schenkel
Prearrangement Counselor
Lisa is a Fort Wayne native who graduated from University of Saint Francis. She believes it is an honor to guide families through the process of making funeral prearrangements, and feels her kindness, empathy and charisma have lead her to this position. Lisa has also been involved in the community as a soccer coach. She has been elected to athletic boards and continues to volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul. Lisa is married to Paul, and they have four children: Tony, Hannah, Bella, and PJ.
