Richard "Dick" Gale Nelis, 82 of Mooresville passed away on September 19, 2018. Dick was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 30, 1936 to Albert Nelis Sr. and Dorothy (MacHenry) Nelis. Dick was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Mooresville's American Legion Post 103. Dick was best known for his integrity and sense of humor. Dick was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed a good card game of any kind. Dick served with honor in the US Air Force during Korean War era as an armorer with the 54 ^th and 52 ^nd air rescue. After his military service he joined the Marion County Sheriff's Department as a special deputy for the southside of Indianapolis and was awarded several commendations for heroism. He was first Police Chief of Southport, Indiana. Once Southport was annexed into Indianapolis IPD he sought new challenges as a Firefighter with Perry Township which turned out to be his favorite job of all, he retired from Perry Township Fire Department. He loved working the snorkel, special rescue tactics, and mentoring new cadets; as union rep negotiated the largest pay raise for the firefighters in the history of the union; as part of that contract negotiation he also obtained much needed new equipment to ensure the safety of the brother firefighters. Dick loved his family and will be greatly missed. Dick is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert Jr., Harry, George and Russell; sisters, Ida, Betty, Jeanette, Donna, Jackie and Mona.

Dick is survived by his sisters, Margie Blackwell and Mary Farrand; daughters, Deb Nelis and Beth Anne (Aaron) Hiatt; son-in-law, Greg (Shana) George; grandchildren, Shawn (Fae) Horsley, Kristal (Joe) Sweeney, Ashley (Josh) Thomas, Nick (Chris) George, Bryan (Alayna) Wilbur, Brianna Burk-Wirey and Ridge (Messina) Wilbur; great grandchildren, Melanie (Russell) Williams, Brandon (Allyson) Horsley, Shawn Horsley Jr., Livia, Madilyn, Traycen, Skyla and Dakota; great great grandchildren, Clint Wilbur, Kallie, Ayla, Emma and soon-to-be Atlas Wilbur. Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 PM, Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1977 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, IN 46143 with visitation from 10:00 AM until the start of service. Military Honors immediately following service. In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that donations be made to the American Legion Post 103. To leave the family online condolences, please visit www.forestlawncemetery.com