Nicholas Brian Schoonveld

With hearts full of love and sorrow, we announce the passing of our extraordinary Nick, age 44 and one day. He was never one to miss a birthday.

Nick was born on April 27, 1982, in Indianapolis. From the very beginning, he faced significant health challenges that remained with him throughout his life. But those challenges never defined him. What defined Nick was his deep devotion to family and friends, as well as the joy he found in the activities he loved most - movies, music, coloring, and sports.

Nick attended Nora Elementary School and then Eastwood Middle School. He was a member of North Central High School’s Class of 2002, and he remained one of the proudest NCHS Panthers one could ever meet - even 25 years later. In more recent years, Nick developed quite an allegiance to the Butler University Bulldogs, as well.

Nick had a way of making ordinary days feel like something extra special. He spent his waking hours coloring his world in every shade of the rainbow. He had very little use for black, brown or grey - it was ROY G BIV all day, every day. He enjoyed watching his shows while he colored. His most enduring love was for the early ’90s TV show, Dinosaurs. Hardly a day went by without hearing the voices of that show coming from Nick’s office. He also loved sports movies and watched his favorites repeatedly, with the same enthusiasm the thousandth time as he had the first. His love of music ran just as deep – his interests spanning decades, with a special place in his heart for the sounds of the ’60s.

Nick proudly identified as an Olympic-caliber athlete. Special Olympics brought him connection, purpose and immense joy throughout his life. He loved competing and, even in recent years as he slowed down, Nick continued to enthusiastically follow and support his fellow athletes. His favorite sport was bowling, and he often spoke fondly of the many competitions he participated in over the years.

Nick had a very close-knit group of friends and treasured those relationships profoundly. He saw his friends multiple times a week, either in person or on Zoom. He cultivated meaningful connections that were filled with teasing, games, laughter, inside jokes, and a shared understanding of life.

Nick believed in every single bit of the magic of Christmas. His excitement and sense of wonder during the season was something truly special and it will be missed by all who were lucky enough to witness it.

Nick never, ever left home without rainbow sprinkles - just in case an ice cream sundae or milkshake were to present itself at some point during his day. And he always brought extra to share with friends.

Nick came from a family who loved him fiercely, and he returned that love fully. He was a proud uncle who never missed a chance to brag about his nieces and nephew, and a proud nephew himself, deeply connected to his aunts, uncles and extended family.

Nick was preceded in death by his devoted mother, Grace, and his sister, Merillee.

He is survived by his father, Brian, and stepmother, Kristin; his sister, Kimberly, and brother-in-law, Chris; his beloved nieces and nephew, Emily, Addison, and Cameron; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. All will miss him dearly.

Nick’s family is incredibly grateful to the doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers at IU Health, whose care and dedication helped give us 44 wonderful years with Nick - and who, most recently, did everything they could to give us more time.

Nick taught us how to celebrate the everyday with his signature “thumbs up” attitude. He was pure goodness and light - you felt it the moment you met him. He made the world brighter, and his light will stay with us forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Washington Township Special Olympics - an organization that brough Nick so much of what he loved most in life. Donations may be made online or by check (WTSO) to:

https://support.soindiana.org/campaign/797397/donate

Washington Township Special Olympics, P.O. Box 40734, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Celebration of Life...

Visitation: Thursday 5/21 4pm-7pm

Leppert Mortuary (Nora), 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240

**Tie-Dye apparel encouraged**

Service: Friday 5/22 2pm

Geist Christian Church, 8550 Mud Creek Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256

*There will be a one-hour visitation at the church preceding the service starting at 1pm.

The Friday 2pm service will be live streamed here:

https://youtube.com/live/cg-ginyHojw