Steven E. Nontell

Steven Earl Nontell was born to Lee Nontell and Frances Stockwell on December 10, 1954 at Coleman Hospital in Indianapolis. He entered into heaven at age 69 on May 15th, 2024 due to ALS while residing at Beech Grove Meadows Nursing Home. He married Jhoni Pence on October 26th, 1980 and cherished 43 years together as "one flesh.”

Steve graduated as Salutatorian from Beech Grove High School, obtained an Undergraduate’s Degree from Indian Central University, and earned a Master's Degree from Ball State University. He spent the majority of his career with the City of Indianapolis Government's Department of Public Works-GIS section, where he maintained a managerial position. He finally retired as a substitute teacher for Perry Township Elementary Schools.

Steve was active in leadership positions including Adult-Sunday-School Teacher and Chairman of the Trustee and Finance Committee at Beech Grove United Methodist Church. He enjoyed 35 years as a Junior High Church Camp Counselor and challenged seven years as an Adult Special Needs Camp Counselor. He accumulated an extensive library of religious textbooks and a huge variety of musical styles of Contemporary Christian Singers and instrumentalists. He sang solos in college with church choirs. He had several opportunities to sing the National Anthem at at-home high school sporting events. He was privileged to be selected to be part of the elite university choir, led by Elise Marshall, which performed in multiple states. He played on Motown Standard’s during late nights on Indiana Central's radio station WICR.

Steve loved history. He began creating memories as a journalist for the high school's Beech Leaf Newspaper, the university's Reflector Newspaper, and was co-editor of its yearbook The Oracle. He collected classic authors, music, movies, television series, and documentaries. He was complimented by the native citizens of Canada and Australia for knowing their history better than their contemporaries. Steve cultivated the Steve McQueen Birthplace Collection when he learned McQueen had been born at Beech Grove's St. Francis Hospital. This collection is housed in the Beech Grove Library's historical room. He has shared the artifacts and his expertise with several historical societies and at the annual Steve McQueen Festival’s car and motorcycle show in Slater, Missouri. For many years he has recited the poem, as well as its history, for "In Flander's Field" at Beech Grove’s Veterans and Memorial Day observances. He also composed a well-researched history of Beech Grove High School's wrestling program.

Steve loved Canadian Football and any high schools’ sports efforts. He was a junior in high school when he began announcing Beech Grove's home football games. He compiled over 50 years of announcing all home game sports, except for tennis and soccer, but did announce for the inaugural boys' volleyball games. At away games he was the team-statistician. His favorite sport was wrestling, and he assisted in coaching two boys and a premier-girl competitor to the State Championship titles. He took particular pride in presiding over the meticulously complete and correct state wrestling championship wallcharts with identical charts given to the top eight finishers in all weight classes, ably assisted by Beech Grove High School's “Wrestlerettes”. Some of those charts can be seen today in the high school display cases.

Along the way Steve received many civic, high school, university, and career accolades and awards. The most recent award is his name forever emblazoned on the Beech Grove High School's football field press box. He always encouraged supporting local businesses. He was known for his wisdom, creativity, wit, loyalty, generosity, service, kindness, and respect for all people.

Steve is survived by his loving wife Jhoni, Brother Michael (Beth), Nephew Nathan (Julianne) Nontell, and Niece Katy (Rick) Snyder, Great Nephews Alexander and Benjamin Nontell, Great Nieces Janey and Elizabeth Snyder, Cousins Margaret (David) Mathers and Callie (Justin) Ordonez. Steve is preceded in death by his parents Lee and Frances, infant sister Kathryn, and cousin Lauren Mathers.

“May God‘s rich blessings, rest upon those who have honored us with your friendship or a families eternal love. Thank you for the cards and words of praise for Steve and encouragement for me his wife. Thank you for monetary material gifts. The floral tributes were beautiful. Your presence and memories were a comfort to me.”

-Jhoni Nontell