The Directors

Resting on 120 years of combined experience, the funeral directors at Wujek-Calcaterra have overseen and orchestrated more than 35,000 funerals in their careers.

Each licensed funeral director was specifically sought out by the Wujek and Calcaterra families based on their individual talents and expertise. The compassion, dedication, and professional standards displayed by these individuals have earned them numerous accolades, the trust of thousands of families, and the respect of their professional peers. Every family that entrusts their loved one to their care can rest assured that they’re needs will be met and their expectations exceeded.

Ron Novak

rnovak@wujekcalcaterra.com Ron Novak has been a licensed funeral director since 1984, and has been at Wujek-Calcaterra since 1995. By the age of 12 years old, Ron had lost both of his parents, 3 grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. The positive experiences he had as a child during these funerals influenced his career path greatly. He began working in a funeral home at age 16, and in 1984 graduated as class president from the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science. Today, aside from serving families with professionalism and dignity, Ron also serves in an appointed position with the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Legislative Committee in Lansing, and has also worked as a special consultant to the Detroit Science Center, where he was responsible for the restoration of the “Mummies of Mexico” traveling exhibit.

Eddie J. Salem, Jr.

esalem@wujekcalcaterra.com Eddie J. Salem, Jr. has been a funeral director at Wujek-Calcaterra since 1998, and has 40 years of experience in funeral service. A 1982 graduate of the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, Eddie believes he is able to make a difference in the lives of people he serves by honoring the memory of those who have made their transition from life to death. Over the course of his career, Eddie has gained experience in all facets of funeral service. By working in a professional and ethical manner, he has been able to bring the ultimate compassion to grieving families in their time of need.

Michael Zuzga

mikez@wujekcalcaterra.com Michael Zuzga graduated from the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 1997, and became a funeral director so that he could help families focus their attention on their emotions and grief, instead of the many details that go into planning a funeral. He takes pride in being a strong support and an expert for people when life has been turned upside down and no one knows what to do. Michael is professional, highly respected, and greatly honored when people place their most prized possession—in some cases a spouse, son, daughter, or parent into his care.

Dominick Astorino, CFSP

dastorino@wujekcalcaterra.com Dominick Astorino is a 2002 graduate of the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, is licensed to practice in both Michigan and Illinois, and has spent nearly his entire professional career at Wujek-Calcaterra. Dominick is passionate about his career, and entered the profession because he believes in the value of funerals to society and individuals. A proponent of education, Dominick serves as an adjunct professor of mortuary science at Wayne State University in Detroit and at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago.

David J. Mercurio

dmercurio@wujekcalcaterra.com David J. Mercurio became a funeral director because of a real desire to help people at the most difficult time in their lives. He takes pride in his work in helping families get through a horrible experience and allowing them to look back on the funeral and find comfort in the positive, valued, and cherished memory of their loved one. David earned a B.B.A. in Marketing from Western Michigan University in 1991, and graduated from the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 2004; he began working at Wujek-Calcaterra immediately after. The most rewarding part of his work is when a family that he has served offers a simple “thank you” either verbally or by sending a card.
Lisa Nikkel Photo

Lisa A. Nikkel

lnikkel@wujekcalcaterra.com Lisa A. Nikkel is a 2011 graduate of the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science and has been employed at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons since May 2011. Lisa has a passion for helping people when they need it the most; she enjoys being able to help families get through one of the toughest times in their lives by guiding them and lessening the stress that is involved in planning a funeral.

Rebecca A. Kelly

rkelly@wujekcalcaterra.com Rebecca A. Kelly graduated from Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 2018 and was licensed to practice in 2019. Rebecca joined the team at Wujek-Calcaterra in early 2022. Rebecca views funeral service as a vital branch of ministry and works to honor the life lived, and the family left behind. She is passionate about every part of funeral directing and wanted to be in the profession since high school. As an undertaker, it’s an honor for her to help bring peace and comfort to families during what is often the most difficult times in their lives.

Kaitlyn Lehr

Klehr@wujekcalcaterra.com Kaitlyn Lehr has been employed with Wujek Calcaterra since July 2019. She graduated from the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 2020. Kaitlyn spent 2020 and part of 2021 serving her apprenticeship here at Wujek Calcaterra right before becoming licensed in Summer 2021. Kaitlyn entered this career wanting to give families the compassion and support they need during the worst days of their life. She wants every family she sees to know they are heard and given every option possible to honor their loved one.
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