David Michael Roane

David Michael Roane, 77, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, at 7:50 PM at Our Hospice of Southcentral Indiana. He was surrounded by his wife of 57 years and his two sons. Born on November 15, 1948, in Seymour, Indiana, to Elbert L. and Mary E. Roane, David graduated from North Vernon High School in 1967. He earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education and History from Indiana University in 1972 and a MA in Educational Administration from Chapman College in 1994.

David’s (Mike) career as a teacher, coach, and administrator spanned five decades and three school districts in Arizona, Oregon, and Indiana. He was hired in 1972 as a Physical Education/Social Studies Teacher and Coach at Tombstone Unified High School. In 1977, he was hired by Prospect Union High School as a Social Studies Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director. After a two-year sabbatical from teaching, he returned to Tombstone, where he taught US History, Geography, and Government and coached boys’ basketball. David retired from Tombstone Unified Schools in May 2002 as High School Principal, capping 28 years of distinguished service to the oldest school district in Arizona.

After retiring in Arizona, Mike and his wife, Janet, moved back to Columbus, Indiana, in 2002. He took a position with Brown County Schools in Nashville, Indiana, as District Assistant Athletic Director and taught Social Studies. In 2005, he became the Assistant Principal at Brown County Junior High School, and in 2008 he became the principal. He concluded his long career in 2012, capping a total of 38 years as a committed educator, coach, and administrator. During these 38 years, Mike excelled as a teacher and coach of young men and women in Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Football, and Volleyball, and was a leader and mentor to many.

Mike and Janet have been faithful members of local Nazarene churches wherever they have lived. From Sierra Vista, Arizona, to Prospect, Oregon, and finally Columbus, Indiana, they served the local church by teaching classes and volunteering on various ministry teams. David also served on the board of Columbus 1st Church of the Nazarene from 2013 to 2023. David and Janet embodied true servant hearts and had a profound impact on the communities where they lived.

Mike loved teaching, coaching, and serving, but he also loved competing in sports and other activities throughout his life. He was an avid softball player and golfer as well as a skilled card player, especially at Euchre. His nickname, given to him in high school, stuck with him until his death. His closest friends knew him as Beef. Later in life, he became heavily involved in fantasy football, and over the past year, he earned a new nickname: The Commissioner. All in all, Mike loved life, and he loved spending it with his wife, his sons, and their growing families, as well as a host of other family and friends. Mike and Janet spent a lot of time traveling both here and abroad. Mike’s love of history and geography made him a wonderful travel companion and tour guide.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Mary E. and Elbert L Roane, and his daughter-in-law, Carole A. (Erick) Roane. He is survived by his wife of 57 Years, Janet L. Roane of Columbus, Indiana; his sons, Brad (Bonny) Roane of Fulton, Missouri and Erick Roane of Bellevue, Washington; 5 grandchildren, Avery (Jordan) Buell of Pella, Iowa, Aaron (Hannah) Roane of Fulton, Missouri, Connor, Spencer, and Elizabeth Roane of Bellevue, Washington; 5 great grandchildren, Fern, Nell and Aggie Buell of Pella Iowa; Poppy and Miller Roane of Fulton, Missouri; siblings, Ronald (the late Sheila) Roane of Vernon Indiana, Steve (Debbie) Roane of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Lisa (Dan) Keister of Punta Gorda, Florida.  Mike’s legacy of kindness and devotion will continue in the lives of all who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Mike’s name to Our Hospice of Southcentral Indiana and/or Columbus First Church of the Nazarene Building and Grounds. Visitation will be held at Jewell Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory on Friday, June 19, from 5 to 7 p.m.  Funeral Services will be held at C1NAZ on McLure Avenue in Columbus on Saturday, June 20, at 11 AM, with a meal to follow. A private graveside service will be held in Vernon, Indiana.  www.JewellRittman.com