“HE MADE ORDINARY DAYS FEEL EXTRAORDINARY” 💙

Nick Schoonveld passed away on April 28, 2026, just one day after his 44th birthday. According to his family, he never missed a birthday—and in a way that mattered most, he made it to this one.

Born in Indianapolis in 1982, Nick faced significant health challenges from the very beginning of his life. But those who knew him say his story was never defined by illness. It was defined by joy, consistency, and a way of seeing the world that made everyday moments feel brighter.

Nick carried rainbow sprinkles in his pocket wherever he went—just in case there was ice cream or a milkshake to share them with. He didn’t keep them for himself; he shared them with others, turning small treats into small celebrations.

He found comfort and joy in simple routines: rewatching Dinosaurs with the same excitement every time, enjoying sports films, listening to music from the 1960s, and spending time coloring in ways that reflected how he saw the world—vivid and full of life.

He wore his North Central High School pride for decades after graduating, and more recently added Butler gear into his weekly rotation, carrying those connections with him long after school days had ended.

Nick was also a dedicated Special Olympics athlete, proudly calling himself an Olympic-caliber competitor. Bowling became one of his greatest passions, and even as his health declined in recent years, he stayed close to the sport—supporting and cheering for others with genuine enthusiasm.

His family describes him as someone who brought presence into every room he entered. Someone you didn’t just meet—you felt. He was a proud uncle who never missed a chance to talk about his nieces and nephew, always sharing their accomplishments with pride.

Perhaps most of all, Nick never let go of wonder. His family says his belief in the magic of Christmas never faded, no matter how many years passed. Watching him experience the season each year became something they treasured deeply.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary in Indianapolis, followed by a celebration of life on Friday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at Geist Christian Church.

Donations in his memory will support Washington Township Special Olympics, continuing the community that meant so much to him.

Nick’s life is remembered not for how difficult it could have been, but for how full it always felt to those around him. A reminder that some people don’t just live in a room—they brighten it.