Timothy Arthur Terlep, 58, of Elkhart, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2024. He was born on October 19, 1965. Tim is preceded in death by his father, Michael Ray Terlep, and sister, Julie Anne Terlep. He is survived by his mother, Rosemarie Terlep; sister, Christina (Terlep) and Gregory Pairitz; brother, Michael Terlep and Sheila (Stutzman) Terlep. His children; son, Timothy Arthur Terlep Jr. and Emma Terlep, daughter, Julianne (Terlep) Helton and Christopher Helton. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Savannah, Emma, J.J. and Maverick Helton. Rayth, Tesla, Newton and Elwyn Terlep. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews; Amanda (Andres Campo), Hilary (Daniel Adkins), Michael (Lindsay Gutting), Cassondra (Kyle Russell), Nicholas and Julia Terlep. A 1984 graduate of Elkhart Central High School, Tim then continued his education by attending The Vidal Sassoon Academy in Los Angeles. Upon completion of the program, Tim returned to share his talents locally and began work at The Hairmasters. After his tenure there, Tim began his next professional venture with the opening of his own salon, True Colors. He quickly earned notoriety, not only for his expertise and creativity with color, but also for his upside-down Christmas Tree that hung in the shop window every holiday season. In 2011, Tim joined Coachmen's Viking division in sales. He was later promoted to Product Manager within that same division and later took on employment at Forest River's Park Model division. Aside from his accolades in cosmetology and sales, perhaps the one thing Tim will most be remembered by was his kind-hearted, free-spirited nature and ability to truly embody the expression, "… he never met a stranger. Every person in the world, to him, was just a friend he hadn't met yet." This innate sense of humility paired with his sense of humor and creativity gave way to his professional successes. But his greatest accomplishment was the impact he left on all those who knew him. "The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it — basically because you feel good, very good when you are near or with them." — Charles Bukowski

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., with visitation 1 hour prior, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St. Elkhart. Reverend Logan Parrish will officiate. Burial and graveside services will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request memorial donations in Tim's name to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home where condolences may be sent to Tim's family at www.billingsfuineralhome.com

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-180-021-6584
Web: http://www.stjude.org/memorial

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
1405 North Main Street, Elkhart IN 46514
Tel: 1-574-262-1505