Our People

Funeral Directors

President and Owner

Born in Beiseker, AB, Ernie has over 35 years in all aspects of funeral service in Alberta. With McInnis & Holloway since 1980, Ernie has been instrumental in continuing the high standards of service set by the original owners and continues to provide unique ideas to better serve area families. Ernie welcomes calls from any person who calls the funeral home to talk.

Ken Schmelke

Owner

Ken is a native of Wimborne, AB, and began his career in funeral service in 1960 in Lacombe. In 1966, he moved to Red Deer where he entered into partnership with Eventide Funeral Chapels, and later owned and operated the Red Deer Funeral Home. McInnis & Holloway enjoys Ken’s vast experience, both on the operational and managerial sides of the business.

Janine Altamirano

Business Manager

Janine was born and raised in Chauvin, AB. She moved to Calgary in 1991 and worked for an accounting firm before joining our team in 1993. Janine’s desire to learn whether through a university course or life experiences has been an asset to the many changes we face in our industry. Janine attended Mount Royal College Funeral Director Program receiving her Funeral Director’s License in the Province of Alberta in 2006.

Jeff Hagel

Operations Manager

Jeff graduated with his applied degree in Small Business and Entrepreneurship and his Diploma in International Business from Mount Royal College. He worked outside of the Funeral profession until 2004 when he made a Career change, went back to Mount Royal College and took their distance learning Funeral Directors Certificate program while apprenticing in Edmonton, AB. Jeff is now an accredited Funeral Director and Embalmer and currently works out of our Park Memorial Chapel.

Kathy Cloutier

Community Relations Manager

Kathy’s funeral apprenticeship brought her to Calgary in 1978, and as soon as she was licensed, she began her formal career with McInnis & Holloway in 1979. Kathy has added much to the company, not the least of which is her passion for ensuring families of different cultural backgrounds are well served. This has resulted in her research and writing of “Cultural Customs and Traditions in Time of Death and Bereavement” now in its 3rd printing.

Gille Douville

Operations Manager

Gille was born and raised in Vulcan, AB where he served as a volunteer firefighter. He joined the McInnis & Holloway team in 1989 and he graduated from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science in 1992. Gille’s experience in dealing with tragedy has made him a committed, driven and compassionate funeral director and manager.

Stephanie Hulshof

Administration Manager

Stephanie was born and raised in Windsor, ON. She graduated from St. Clair College receiving her Administration Diploma in 1987. Stephanie joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 1999 in our Chapel of the Bells office. Her practical knowledge of our offices has proven to be an asset now that she oversees our Administration Department

Aaron Beck

Funeral Director

Aaron was born and raised in Calgary, AB. He graduated with honours from the Western School of Funeral Service receiving his Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Alberta in 2002. Aaron joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 1999.

Jerrold Hubman

Funeral Director

Jerrold was born and raised in Wainwright, AB. He graduated from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science receiving his Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Alberta in 1979. Jerrold joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 1985.

Sharon Kostin

Funeral Director

Sharon was born in Montreal, QC and moved to Edmonton, AB as a teenager. She graduated from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science receiving her Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Alberta in 1994. Sharon joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 1991.

Leanne Macdonald

Operations Manager

Leanne was born and raised in Nova Scotia. She graduated from the Funeral Service program at Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario obtaining her Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Ontario in 1995, Province of Nova Scotia in 1996 and the Province of Alberta in 2001. Leanne joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 2001.

Keely McMillan

Funeral Director

Keely was born in Regina, SK and raised in Francis, SK. She graduated from Mount Royal College Funeral Director and Embalming program in 2003, receiving her Funeral Director’s License for the Province of Alberta in 2004. Keely joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 2004.

Phil Newbigging

Funeral Director

Phil was born and raised in Saskatoon, SK. He graduated from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science receiving his Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Alberta in 1998. Phil joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 1993.

David Ostopowich

Funeral Director

David was born and raised in Legal, AB. He graduated from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science receiving his Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Alberta in 1985, Province of Saskatchewan in 1992 and the Province of Manitoba in 1995, as well as profession designations in Business Administration and Management in 2000. David joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 2006.

Marc Patterson

Funeral Director

Marc was born and raised in Grande Prairie, AB. He graduated from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science receiving his Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Alberta in 1996. Marc joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes in 1992.

Stewart Senft

Funeral Director

Stewart was born in Edmonton, AB and raised in Acme, AB. He graduated from the Mount Royal College Funeral Director and Embalming Program receiving his Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the Province of Alberta in 1999. Stewart joined McInnis and Holloway funeral Homes in 1996.

Sean Witter

Funeral Director

Sean was born and raised in Calgary, AB. He graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1994 receiving his Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Licenses in the State of California where he worked for fourteen years. Sean returned to Calgary in 2008 where he completed his requirements to be a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the Province of Alberta and joined McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes.