Thomas Connor Halberstadt

Thomas Halberstadt (35) died very unexpectedly on June 20, 2024. He was born in Indianapolis on May 5, 1989 to Nancy Connor and Glenn Halberstadt, who mourn his sudden absence along with his brother Edward (Ned) Halberstadt and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends — and a lifelong village of kind and capable therapists, teachers, caregivers, staff, administrators, work colleagues, coaches, doctors, drivers — many, many people — who helped him build the happy, productive, independent life he was enjoying within the Village of Merici community. Thomas attended several IPS schools, completing his education and pre-vocational training at Broad Ripple High School. He proudly worked for Connor & Company, Connor Fine Painting, Noodles & Company, Marsh/Needler’s Supermarkets, Wee Folk Childcare and, for the last six years, for Goodwill Commercial Services at the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

Over the ten years Thomas shared a Merici apartment with his brother, he participated in Special Olympics-Westside sports, a weekly Merici/ILADD book club, SPRED religious education at St. Luke Catholic Church, Ability Fitness Clinics at IU Indianapolis, a weekly art group at Outside the Box, and numerous other programs offered through Merici. A member of the Church of the Holy Cross until it closed, Thomas served as a liturgy percussionist. He loved drumming. Always tuned in to beats and bass lines, Thomas laid down a foundation of goodness and joy for our whole family. From childhood, he was utterly sweet, easy to please, and eager to learn, help, and make others happy. He looked forward to traveling, eating out, music, dancing, romance — and, lately, improving his cooking techniques.

Thomas could be transfixed by any moving water: ocean, lake, river, pond, waterfall, garden hose, flooding... We will so profoundly miss the sturdy, reliable, gentle soul who could stand alone for hours observing a creek flow into Lake Michigan.

A celebration of Thomas’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 9 from 5:30-8:00pm at Hillcrest Country Club, 6098 Fall Creek Road, Indianapolis IN 46220. Calling will be followed by a service beginning around 7:00. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Village of Merici or your own charity.