Terri Celeste Nissley

Heaven welcomed an angel…. Terri Celeste Nissley, 63, of Greenfield, IN, formerly of Chillicothe, IL, died Sunday, December 26, 2021 in Indianapolis surrounded by her husband, daughter, and siblings.

Terri was a beautiful and incredible wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, actively involved with family, church, community, and her family’s real estate business. Her legacy includes leaving successful careers at Price Waterhouse and Blue Cross/Blue Shield to start Pathway Family Center, a substance abuse treatment program, which she lead as CEO. Pathway helped teens and their families in Southfield, MI, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Porter County Indiana. The program was instrumental for nearly 20 years in helping thousands recover from harmful use of drugs and alcohol, and re-establish family relationships and lead healthy, productive lives.

“Terri brought much love and light to all she touched. She made this world a better place.”

Kathryn Row, MA, LPC, CAADC, Former Clinical Director, Pathway Family Center

Terri had a passion for helping others succeed and enjoy life to the fullest. Graduates of Pathway Family Center have enjoyed life through their recovery, and in turn, provide a positive example to others. Terri and her husband, Ken, helped many achieve their real estate objectives for more than 20 years through various programs in their real estate brokerage and property management firm.

As a Meniers patient, suffering vertigo and nearly complete hearing loss from the disease, she researched and found methods to help reduce the frequency and severity of the debilitating dizzy attacks from the disease. Then she shared those with others who suffered from Meniers.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Terri was a tireless volunteer at The Bridge Church, Fortville, whether teaching children’s classes, creating business processes, and planning and executing community events. She was a server, always striving to help others, including caring for her mother. She and her husband were soulmates and they truly completed each other. She cherished family and invested so much into her family’s experiences, education, and life skills.

Terri was born December 19, 1958 in Excelsior Springs, MO, the daughter of Beverly A. and Charles Hopkins. In 1988, Terri married Ken Nissley. The couple lived in Indianapolis, where they raised their daughter, Jeni.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Carl Hopkins.

She is survived by her husband, Ken and daughter, Jeni (Joe) Leonard. She is also survived by 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson, Jared Fleener, Jayla Leonard, Jolie Leonard, Josie Leonard, Jenna Leonard, Joey Leonard as well as 2 great grandsons, Elijah and Christian Fleener. Terri is also survived by a sister, Rita Trimble, and two brothers, George Ryan and William Ryan.

Terri attended Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe, IL. She attended Indiana University and earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting in 1982. She later earned her CPA.

A celebration of life for Terri will be held on Saturday, January 15 at Mercy Road Church-Northeast, 611 Vitality Dr, Fortville, IN 46040. Doors open at 1pm, Service at 2pm, Reception following. Donations made be made in Terri's name to Dove Recovery House for Women at doverecoveryhouse.org

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”

“Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you…I loved you so ’twas Heaven here with you”

I.P. Richardson