Ethan Ciampelli Jackson was born on October 19, 2002 to the boundless joy of his parents, Christopher Barnes Jackson and Lisa Marie Champelli. (Not a typo. Ethan's middle name is the original spelling of Lisa's family's last name.) Ethan's grandparents, Joyce and Jay Champelli, traveled from Illinois to Ethan's home in Ellettsville to hold him close in the golden light of autumn and welcome Ethan to an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. Grandmother Joanne Barnes Jackson joined us for Thanksgiving, traveling from Pennsylvania with suitcases stuffed with books, toys and games, which she regularly gifted Ethan until her death in 2010.

Joanne, Joyce and Jay enthusiastically showed Ethan how time spent reading aloud and gathering around a table to play cards and solve puzzles and talk together was an easy and fun way to share stories and enjoy each other's company while engaging your mind and learning about what matters to your companions. Early in 2008, Ethan became a brother, teacher and prankster to his equally puckish sister, Adeline (Ellie) Marie Jackson, who joined in their games and shared his delight in their sweet kitties Clyde and Mya.

Ethan never met his paternal grandfather Harry Thompson Jackson before his death in 2004, but enjoyed visits as a young child with his uncle Jonathan Scott Jackson, who died in 2006. Ethan savored holiday gatherings and family vacations with cousins Emma, Jack, Kira, Peter, Audrey, Lucy, Alex and Zach; Aunts: Terri, Judy, Christine and Angelique; and Uncles: Mike, Nevin, Joe and Jon. Their times together were filled with poker games and ping pong tournaments, Monopoly marathons, and sunny days on the beach, diving into the ocean waves.

Ethan had a curious mind, a caring heart, and a desire to connect with others over shared interests in music and movies, sports and games. He enjoyed so many Saturday mornings on the Cutters soccer fields with friends, recreational basketball, billiards at the Ellettsville Boys and Girls Club, croquet and cornhole in the front yard, as well as swimming and bike rides with family. He even completed the Hilly Hundred on his sixth birthday on a trailer bike with his dad. He wasn't afraid to try something out, whether it was conquering his fear of heights by going zip lining or playing a brand new sport in lacrosse as a high school senior.

He first played the saxophone and then the trombone before switching to the euphonium and other low brass instruments for the Edgewood High School Marching Band. He relished his role as the bass player for the EHS Jazz and Pep bands. He loved playing his guitar in different bands he formed with friends, and playing Magic the Gathering online and in person at local gaming centers. When the pandemic shut down opportunities for in-person gatherings, he took up painting, a creative outlet he enjoyed even after starting college at Indiana University, Bloomington.

As a high school student, he took introductory survey courses about the Universe, Chemistry, and Environmental Science through IU's Foundations in Science summer sessions, and planned to become a high school science teacher. In May of 2021, Ethan graduated from Edgewood High School with Academic Honors, including membership in the National Honor Society, and German Honor Society.

Ethan experienced the joys and challenges of romantic relationships and first jobs, and a myriad of fun times with friends. He recognized the importance of staying connected and when the world shut down during the pandemic, he suggested we establish regular game nights with close friends who sustained us then and sustain us now as we learn to live in the world without Ethan. Kenny and Terra Childers and their children loved Ethan from boyhood, shared backyard bonfires, adventurous vacations and supported Ethan as his moods swung from high to low.

We will forever wonder why Ethan refused treatment options, and how to accept that our attempts to help him as he suffered with depression were not enough to spare Ethan from this debilitating mental illness. Ethan died on October 31, 2022. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony.

A celebration of Ethan's life with family and friends will take place in the afternoon on October 21, 2023 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Red Bud Recreation Building.

As he spent more time in downtown Bloomington this past year, Ethan was disconcerted by the number of people experiencing homelessness while living in a community with such wealth and means. If you wish to help Ethan's family remember some things that mattered to him, please consider making a donation to Beacon, a local organization dedicated to providing a range of solutions for people in poverty. Support your local Boys and Girls Clubs and strengthen the essential ways they provide welcoming, inclusive and fun spaces for young people. Take a walk in the woods with a friend, make music or create art for your own pleasure. Invite a friend to watch a movie with you and talk about it afterward; play a game with your family and include time for laughter. Cuddle with your cats. Wear silly hats. Be kind. Be gentle with yourself.

Plant tulip bulbs in a random pattern to surprise your mom and remind her to continue delighting in how we each add beauty to the world in our own unique way.