Our Staff

Frank L. Keszei

President & CEO

Frank L. Keszei (Kay's eye) purchased Essling funeral home in August of 2014 after the unexpected death of Mark E. Essling.  Frank brings 48 years of experience to LaPorte and the surrounding communities.  

Frank graduated from Riley High School, South Bend, Indiana in 1978, and began his funeral career with the former Forest G. Hay Funeral Home during his freshman year at Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana.  He continued his education at Indiana State University and Mid-America College of Funeral Service where he graduated class Salutatorian in 1983, with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  

Frank is married to Susan J. (Gregg) and they have three children, Adam, Andrea (Connor) Maroney, Addyson, and a grandson.  Sue taught 6th grade at LaSalle Academy in South Bend, Indiana and was formerly a senior programmer and analyst with the Associates Corporation of North America. Frank’s parents Elizabeth and Louis Keszei raised four sons in South Bend where Louie was a Deputy Health Officer for 41 years and Liz a homemaker and artist.  Frank’s grandparents all immigrated to America from Hungary.  His maternal grandparents, Elizabeth and Andy Toth lived in South Bend where he attended The University of Notre Dame and Cornell University and became a successful Architect in Northern Indiana.  His paternal grandparents, Matilda and Vincent owned and operated Vincent’s Tavern/Restaurant in South Bend’s Hungarian neighborhood.  

Frank and Susan are former members of St. Matthew Cathedral Catholic Church where Frank served as President of the St. Matthew School Board.  He was past President of the Northern Indiana Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, the NRA, and are involved with many charitable causes.  Frank, Sue and their son Adam are memebers of Holy Family Parish, La Porte. Frank is also a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Micheal Council #1542.

Telephone: 1-219-362-2722

Email: 

Sue Keszei

Vice President

Sue Keszei serves as vice president of Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel.  Sue graduated from South Bend Riley High School in 1979 and Indiana University Bloomington in 1983, with a degree in Quantitative Business Analysis.  She also holds a master of education degree from Bethel College.  Sue taught school in the South Bend community school corporation until her son Adam was injured in an automobile accident and she became his primary care giver.  Sue is responsible for the financial administration of the funeral home. 

Roy McNeal

Funeral Director

Roy E McNeal Sr, Funeral Director.  Roy was born in LaPorte in 1958 and grew up in Washington State. He graduated from Marysville Pilchuck high school in 1977. Roy served in the U.S. Army as a Teletype Communications Specialist in Alaska, Fort Lewis Washington and Korea. Roy was a chef for 23 years and changed careers in 2003. He went to Purdue University, Ivy Tech College and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2004. Roy is a Certified Funeral Celebrant, helping families celebrate the life of their loved one. He has served two terms with the Indiana Funeral Directors Association.

Roy Married Pamala S (Eads) McNeal on September 17, 1983 and they have four children, Connie Ehlert, Colleen Cracknell, Roy E McNeal Jr. and Jason McNeal. Roy and Pam have 10 grandchildren and one on the way. Roy loves the outdoors, hunting and is a member of the NRA. Roy loves to cook for family and friends to build great memories.

Telephone: 1-219-362-2722

Email: 

Mori Piscione

Preneed Specialist and Adviser

Mori has been involved in the funeral business for over eight years. She is a graduate of Hobart High School and attended Purdue University. She, her husband Eric, and their son live in Crown Point.

Mori is here to help plan your services and has many unique ideas.  She has received many awards and accommodations in her area of expertise. 

Telephone: 1-219-362-2722

Email: 

Ripley S. Ludlow

Senior Associate

Ripley S. Ludlow, known as Rip, has worked at Essling Funeral Home for over 25 plus years.  Rip is the son of Lee and Mary Ludlow.  Rip has two brothers, Mark (who also works at Essling Funeral Home), and Tim of La Porte, Indiana.

Rip married Shelley (Young) in 1980, and they have two daughters, Kaelynn and Amanda.  Kaelynn is married to Matt Deckard and they have two children and live in La Porte.  Amanda married Dee McDonald they also have two children and live in Lakeland, Florida.  

Rip and Shelley belong to First United Methodist Church in LaPorte.  RIp currently sits on the Finance and Trustee committees at the church. Rip graduated from LaPorte High School in 1978 and retired in 2014 from LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services after nearly 35 years as a Paramedic Supervisor.  

Throughout his career he had the honor to meet President Bill Clinton in 1990, Vice-President Joe Biden in 2002, and Supreme Court Justice John Roberts.

Rip and his wife have traveled in 2012 and 2013 to Port of Prince Haiti for missionary rebuilding efforts.  Rip continued his missionary work in Haiti in 2015 and 2016 also adding Guatemaia, Houston, Texas, Bation Rouge, Louisiana, and Beverly, Kentucky (Red Bird Mission) to his list of travels for missionary work.       

Telephone: 1-219-362-2722

Email: 

Lori Williamson

Executive Administrator

Lori was born and raised in Michigan City, Indiana.  She graduated from Rogers High School in 1981.  In 1983, Lori married Dave Williamson. Lori worked in the accounting department at a local bank for 25 years before coming to the funeral home.  Dave is the Operations Manager/Facility Engineer with Sodexo Inc. at the Michigan City Area Schools.

Lori and Dave have two sons, Jeffrey and Robert, and four grandchildren.

Lori enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Email: 

Adam Keszei

Digital Media & IT Specialist

Adam Keszei | Digital Media & IT Specialist

Adam Keszei is the son of Frank and Sue and was born and raised in South Bend.  He graduated from Marian High School in 2013 and went on to attend Indiana University Bloomington.

Adam was in the process of transitioning to flight school to become a commercial airline pilot when he was involved in an automobile accident that left him with a spinal cord injury that rendered him a paraplegic. After a decade of debilitating nerve pain, a groundbreaking surgery finally brought him a complete recovery from the nerve pain.

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Adam is currently pursuing various business avenues. At the funeral home, he manages family media, specializing in the digitization, editing, and preparation of photos and media of loved ones, while also managing our computer and technology systems. Adam loves spending time with his friends and family and enjoys many hobbies, including working on computers, cars and engines, and 3D printing.

Telephone: 1-219-362-2722

Email: 

Roy McNeal Jr "JR"

Associate

Roy McNeal Jr., known as JR, serves as an Associate at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, where he considers it a privilege to care for and support families during some of life’s most difficult times. With seven years of experience in funeral service, including the past two years at Essling Chapel, he strives to serve each family with compassion, kindness, and respect.

Raised in Michigan City, Indiana, JR graduated from Michigan City High School in 2005. He will be attending Worsham College of Mortuary Science to continue his education and fulfill his goal of becoming a licensed Funeral Director.

JR married Rachel (Cracknell), in September 2005. They have been blessed with a son and daughter and are proud to call LaPorte home. Their family attends LaPorte First Church of God, where their faith and community continue to be an important part of their lives.

Outside of the funeral home, JR enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, working in the yard, and anything involving aviation. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families he meets. 

Telephone: 1-219-362-2722

Email: 

Judy Keene

Retired 2018

Judy retired at the end of 2018.  We wish her the very best in her retirement.

She is a lifelong resident of LaPorte County, and a graduate of LaPorte High School.  Judy married Jon Keene in 1982.  Jon serves as Captain with the LaPorte County Sheriff's Department. 

Judy and Jon have three children, Scott, Tami and Rodney; and nine grandchildren.  They attend the United Methodist Church in LaPorte.

One of Judy's greatest enjoyments is her grandchildren, attending their sporting events and cheering them on.  She also loves spending time in a cabin in the mountains with her husband every year.