Dr. Sheila S. Vercruysse

Sheila S. Vercruysse, age 68, of Greenwood, Indiana, passed away on November 4, 2026, after a courageous battle with ALS disease. She was the “Guiding Light” of her family and a woman of profound intelligence, strong will, and immense capacity to love. Sheila was ever–optimistic, unfailingly kind, and everyone who met her felt her warmth right away.

Born on July 12, 1958, in Louisville, Kentucky, Sheila was the only child of the late Wayne and Kathleen (Beckman) Seufert. She grew up in the southern Indiana town of Ferdinand, graduating from Forest Park High School. Blessed with a brilliant, creative mind, she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and went on to complete her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Bowling Green State University.

Sheila dedicated her professional life to healing others. From the mid-1980s until her retirement in 2015, she ran a private practice in Greenwood, specializing in supporting abuse survivors.

She loved the outdoors and possessed a keen eye for design and landscaping. Her creativity bloomed at her lake home in Michigan, where she built an extensive natural playground in the woods for her grandchildren. More recently, she independently designed her beautiful new home in Greenwood.

Above all, Sheila found her ultimate happiness in being a loving wife, a caring mom, and an adoring “Gigi”, a title she wore with immeasurable love and pride. She loved creating special moments for her grandchildren, often orchestrating crafts, projects, and activities that turned ordinary days into lasting memories. She happily divided her time between Indianapolis and Northern Michigan, making both places special gathering spots for family time, adventures, and cherished memories with her grandchildren. Her greatest joy was simply being with them, loving them, and making each of them feel special.

Sheila was a woman of faith that spanned her entire life. She spent several decades as a parishioner at St. Barnabas Catholic Church before joining Saints Francis & Clare Catholic Churchin 2024.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John Vercruysse; her devoted children, Kristen (Tim) Carlson and Curtis (Sara) Vercruysse; and her cherished grandchildren, Elena and Evelyn Carlson, and Avery, Owen, and Leo Vercruysse. She also deeply loved her bearded collies, Callen and Cruz.  

Sheila’s Life Celebration® Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2026, at the O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis.

An additional visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, in the Narthex at Saints Francis & Clare Catholic Church, 5901 W. Olive Branch Road, Greenwood. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., with inurnment following in the church’s Resurrection Garden.

Memorial contributions in Sheila’s honor can be made to the schools her grandchildren attend: Saints Francis and Clare Catholic School and Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools.

Those wishing to honor Sheila with friends and family are invited to visit www.ORileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.