Gregory Martin Schmoll

Gregory Martin Schmoll passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, August 13, 2024. He was born 71 years prior on November 30, 1952 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of William and Marjorie Schmoll. He was the 3rd in succession of 4 children. His siblings are Susie Schmoll, Phillip Schmoll (Deceased 2015) and Michael Schmoll (Deceased 1981). He is survived by his children Heather Grilley (Michael) and Ian Schmoll (Nicole) and the collective four incredible grandchildren Rya, Harper, Sophia, and Dylan. Greg’s life was also full of close extended family, great friends and business associates that kept him happy, smiling and busy. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Sally Melissa Emert Schmoll (Deceased 2020) and her family of six brothers and sisters along with their children who had become a central part of their life together with whom Greg maintained a special bond with well after her passing. 

As a youth, Greg was a good student in the Washington Township school district where he collected many lifelong friends that generated numerous stories of wild shenanigans as any young boy would do. In the mid 1960’s he moved with his mother and two brothers to Culver, Indiana where they lived in a house on Lake Maxinkuckee. He attended Culver Military Academy for six years and was enrolled in the Capital Woodcraft, Navel and Infantry school during his middle school years. 

He returned to Indianapolis and graduated from North Central High School in 1971. From there, he attended Purdue University where he achieved a Degree in Structural Engineering. He then worked side by side with his father directing the Schmoll Development Company, building many contract buildings in the city, as well as constructing what was soon to become the Schmoll Industrial Park. Greg was a daily fixture as owner operator of the industrial park for the rest of his career. Soon, bringing on both his son, Ian and later his daughter, Heather to work alongside of him. They collectively maintained, renovated and updated the entire portfolio in unison alongside a loyal and talented group of sub-contractors, that have since become like family. 

Greg was a man of action and fun! He enjoyed driving his sports cars, waterskiing, barefooting, boating and sailing, snow skiing and traveling the world with his wife, family and friends. He was passionate about Scuba Diving, becoming a certified Divemaster in Open Water and Cave Diving in the 80s. He explored caves all around the world with his dive group, even mapping out CannonBall Cave in Poplar Bluff, MO. They actually did the detailed cartography that is still used today as a roadmap for future divers!

Over his lifetime he was also ‘dad’ to many pets. A handful of fluffy cats that he sang custom songs too in silly voices and most notably, a total of 12 Great Dane dogs that he wrangled effortlessly around town through the years. Often being seen in places one would not likely see canines (like, the bank!). 

He was a near-yearly attendee of the Indianapolis 500 and a proud season ticket holder for the Indianapolis Colts. Greg would often ‘Tailgate’ at Harry & Izzy’s before each game at a table that was reserved weekly for him, his wife Sally, and their friends. Always being treated like royalty by the staff as a “Patron Saint” card holder.

The last chapter of Greg’s story started with a tragic accident in July of 2023 leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Throughout the last year, he maintained a positive (almost jovial) attitude about his situation – breaking the ice in every conversation often with a self-deprecating joke or two almost always, lightening the mood. He worked tirelessly every single day of the week after his accident for hours at a time with both his Personal Trainer and at NeuroHope rehabilitation facility. He was determined to try and regain some movement back and was astoundingly more successful than any of the doctors predicted he would be, providing to be an inspiration for so many that knew him.

Although it was an incredibly difficult final year, so many relationships were strengthened and new lifelong friendships made amongst the family, friends and caregivers that all rallied around him until the very end. It's worth mentioning, that the last song he heard bedside, in an uncanny and divine like fashion, was his very favorite tune of all time, “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton. A fact that to all who know him believe was the last huge effort of a larger than life man who lived every moment with intensity and passion.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, August 24, from 10 am to 12 pm, at Flanner Buchanan - Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, with a memorial service to follow at noon.

To view the livestream of the service, please click here.

In lieu of flowers to honor Greg, please consider a donation to NeuroHope Rehabilitation Center. The online donation link is: https://neurohopewellness.networkforgood.com/ .

Or you can mail a check to: NeuroHope at 6002 Sunnyside, Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46236