Ralph Sommerfeld

Ralph has been a resident of Southwest MI, since 1967. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1973. Ralph attended Wayne State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (1978), also graduating from the Department of Mortuary Science of Wayne State University (1976).

Ralph is the current Owner-Manager of Sommerfeld Chapel. He came to New Buffalo, in September of 1979, and worked alongside the founder of Smith Funeral Home, Ronald H. Smith, until Ron’s death in 1981. Ralph then became manager of the funeral home, and has proudly served the families of New Buffalo and Harbor Country.

Ralph is a licensed funeral director in both states of Michigan and Indiana. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Selected Independent Funeral Homes, and the Michigan Embalmers Society. Ralph is also active in local organizations such as, New Buffalo Lions Club (since 1984), a member of the New Buffalo Savings Bank Board of Directors, the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce, and the New Buffalo Business Association.

Ralph has lived in, and been part of, the Harbor Country community since 1979. He has been married for over 25 years to his wife Heidi (Fandrich); she works in Michigan City at the Lighthouse Mall. Together they have a son Aaron; he is a graduate of New Buffalo High School, and is currently a student at Lake Michigan College, and also works in Michigan City at the Lighthouse Mall.

Donna Adkins - Family Service Counselor

Donna attended Purdue University and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1993. Donna is a member of the Moose Lodge #599 of Elkhart and the St. Joseph County Homemakers Association-Penn Neighbors. She is the secretary-treasurer of Northern Indiana Funeral Directors Association and has volunteered her time to the National Clean up Disasters. She and her family are members of Queen of peace Church in Mishawaka. She is licensed funeral director in both Illinois and Indiana.