Steven Dean Carpenter

Steve Carpenter, age 61 of Indianapolis, Indiana, beloved husband, father, son and friend, passed away on January 14th, 2025 after valiantly and most bravely fighting an illness. His wit, brilliance, sense of humor and kind heart will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Steve was born on February 1st, 1963, the son of Robert Carpenter, Sr. and Evelyn (Fischer) Carpenter. He graduated from Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana.  Steve demonstrated his intelligence and love of history at a young age, when he was chosen as the youngest participant for the Brain Game in Brownsburg, Indiana. He continued his academic excellence and love of learning by graduating from Indiana University Bloomington, with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Russian and Uzbek. He also completed a semester of law study abroad in England and traveled as a student to the Soviet Union. Steve proudly graduated from Indiana University Bloomington Law School with his Juris Doctor.  Steve served the State of Indiana as an attorney for 32 years, with a specialty in Tax and Bankruptcy law.  He married his loving wife, Katie Carpenter, on December 20th, 2013 and they shared 20 beautiful years together.

Steve was a devoted husband and father. With his beloved wife Katie, Steve enjoyed pizza dates, bird watching, taking trips to Ireland and New Mexico, and jaunts to the Eagle Creek dog park with their beautiful Chocolate Labrador, Pippa Petunia. He absolutely adored his two children, Meggie and Alex Carpenter (Zoe) and was a wonderful step father to Ashley Ignateva-Pierce and Alex Pierce. He loved being a soccer coach for his kids and taking trips with them. He loved his three nieces, Melanie, Laurel, and Cara, sharing with them his love of reading, especially Harry Potter.

Steve was an avid history buff, with an extensive and comprehensive military knowledge of World War I and World War II. He had an excellent linguistic aptitude, including knowledge of Russian. Steve had the special talent for researching the history for families who lost loved ones who served in the Wars and writing moving, historically accurate stories of their lives. With his dear friends, Steve loved to attend military shows, model shows, and Dungeons and Dragons meetings. He would proudly show friends and loved ones his intricate and interesting hand painted models and cool collection of military patches. Steve was a member of the Federalist Society, very knowledgeable of the United States Constitution, and as part of his duties as an attorney helped people on their path to US citizenship. Steve also excelled in his knowledge of genealogy, researching and gathering knowledge about his and Katie's family history. He was especially proud to discover that his and Katie's direct ancestors came to the United States on the Mayflower.

Steve had a fantastic, witty and dry sense of humor, and he could always tell the best jokes and anecdotes that his wife and loved ones always enjoyed. He was an excellent speaker and loved sharing his great historical knowledge with friends and family. Steve had a striking resemblance to American president Teddy Roosevelt, a great admiration for President George Washington, and a love of American history. Steve was a past president and treasurer of the Indiana Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Steve was the definition of a scholar and a gentleman.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Katie Carpenter of Indianapolis, his beloved children Alex Carpenter (wife Zoe) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Meghan Carpenter of Indianapolis, Indiana, his mother Evelyn Carpenter of Brownsburg, Indiana, his brother Rob Carpenter (wife Bertha), his sister Cathy Tacoma (husband Ken); his cherished nieces Melanie Hildreth( husband Jeff) of Virginia, Laurel Tacoma of Virginia, and Cara  Kuiper (husband Chris) and his step children, Ashley Pierce-Ignateyeva (husband Alexei) of Karelia, Russia, and Alex Pierce (wife Mandy) of Dover, Ohio; and step-grandchildren Hannah, Charlotte and Connor. He was preceded in death by his adored father, Robert Carpenter, Sr. of Brownsburg, Indiana.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, January 17th, 2025 with a showing for friends and family at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

A Catholic mass will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 18th, 2025 at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg, Indiana.  All are welcome to attend.