"My condolences and prayers are with Joe's family and friends. Joe was our neighbor for many years, a great friend, and outstanding athlete. We played b-ball behind Gibson's and Joe was fair and competitive. He was always quick to call a foul on himself so as to keep tempers "in the closet. In short, Joe was a good man, and I cherish the memories I have of him. Pete Talbet"
In loving memory of
Dr. Joe W. Romine, Ph.D.
October 25, 1947 - October 20, 2012
Upland: Dr. Joe W. Romine, Ph.D., 64, passed away suddenly Saturday afternoon following his induction into the Taylor University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was born the son of the late Lloyd and Cora (McAdams) Romine. He was a 1966 graduate of Bluffton High School. He married Carol (Luginbill) on June 7, 1969 in Bluffton. Joe continued his education graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor's degree in science from Taylor University. Later he earned a Phd and masters degree from Ball State university. He retired in 2010 from Taylor University after 34 years of services. His other professional positions included coach, professor, and Athletic Director. He also served on the Town of Upland Town Council for 32 years. He enjoyed golfing, working out, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. In 2009, he was honored by being inducted into the Bluffton High School Hall of Fame. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Carol; two children, Kelli (Eric) Childs, Battle Creek, Michigan, and Kyle (Cassie) Romine, Fort Wayne; a sister, Judy Thornburgh, Bluffton; his mother-in-law, Ruth Luginbill, Bluffton; three grandchildren, Daphne, Henry, and Sarah. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Susie Riley. Memorials may be made to the Taylor University Athletic Department, 236 W. Reade Avenue, Upland, Indiana, 46989. Funeral Service: 11:30 am, Wednesday, October 24, 2012, Upland Community Church, 439 W. Berry Avenue, Upland, Indiana Visitation: 2-8pm, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, Jones-Smith Funeral Home, 259 N. Main St., Upland, Indiana Officiating: Dr. Jay Kesler, Dr. Charles Jaggers Interment: Jefferson Cemetery, Upland, Indiana
Tributes
"Carol, It was with great sadness that I learned of Joe's passing. He was a great friend in Bluffton when I was growing up, and a great teammate and leader on the football team. He was a wonderful Christian man and an inspiration to many. He will be sorely missed by all of us, even though we are comforted by knowing he is with the Lord, who surely said to him, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." My prayers are with you and your family. Tom Turner"
"Carol and family, May the love of friends give you comfort, may the love of God give you peace. Holding you close in thought and prayers. Thinking of the good times at Taylor University. Love and prayers, Bev"
"I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers. God Bless You! Love, Linda, Dori, Kati, Harley, & Lizzie"
"It was my privilege to know Joe Romine when we served on the Taylor University faculty. I deeply appreciate having known him and am intensely aware of his dedication and many contributions to Taylor and also the Upland community. May God's love and consolation surround your family as you adjust to his loss."
"Carol, So sorry to hear of your loss, but bittersweet that he passed after receiving the special recognition from Taylor. I remember you and your family from childhood, growing up in sister churches in Bluffton, and Joe and you from high school...you were destined to be a team, touch so many,and make a difference. I know that you lost your right arm, but our prayers are with you and your family at this time; what a legacy for you and your family! Please accept our sincere condolences of the entire family of Robert & Jane Reusser (both deceased): Nancy Halstead (Carlsbad, CA), Carol Foltz (Greenwood, IN), Donna Penrod (Bluffton, IN) Jim (deceased), John (Bluffton, IN), Tim (Brownsburg, IN), Dave (Liberty Center, IN) and Brian Reusser (Geist, IN) as well as their families. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time for God's healing presence; may you find peace and comfort in the memories and love that you all shared. Love, Nancy"
"Dear Carol, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious husband. As a teenager working at Ivanhoe's, you two were so friendly toward me and an adored example of young love. (I also admired your talented cheerleading.) Time passes and living life means change yet I know this will be one of your most difficult adjustments of all on this earth. Praying God's grace, mercy and comfort as you work through the grief. My deepest sympathy to you and your family."
"Carol and family~I'm out of town this week and was so sad to hear of Joe's passing. I dearly loved him and loved working with him. Please know that I will be praying for your entire family during the days to come Carol. I will miss him - but our loss is truly heaven's gain."
"Carol and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You! Sadie"
"I've known Joe since he was just a little boy as I was a classmate of Susan's. I was really shocked to learn of Joe's passingl Please take comfort to know that he is with our Lord & Savior. God bless you and always look to Him for comfort.p"
"Carol, my heart goes out to you & your family. Too young! When I think of you, I see you in Joe's letter jacket, doing one of your fabulous splits-in-the-air jumps with Joe smiling on. Deepest sympathy for your loss. Susan"
"Carol, So very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers."
"With our deepest sympathies and our condolences. Your in our thoughts and prayers. Steve and Ann Bussel"
"Carol-- our prayers for you and your family. Joe was a great man."
"Joe Romine loved Taylor Athletics with his whole heart... And we loved him right back."
"Dear Carol and Family, We were so saddened to hear of Joe's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We wish you comfort and strength through this time of loss. With our deepest sympathies, Beth, Eric, Amanda and Brittany Pickford David and Rena DeVore"
"Dear Carol, I am so saddened to learn of your loss. Joe was a wonderful man and I always respected him so much. He was a source of joy and strength to so many. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Bill Salsbery"
"Carol, I was shocked and surprised to receive the email from my sister informing me of Joe's passing. I will continue to pray for you and your family as you mourn this life, but celebrate his moving on to eternal life. May our Lord surround you with comfort and love during this time. Joe will be missed. God Bless. Ted"
"Oh, Carol, what a blow! The last 36 hours must be a blurr. You and your families are in Shirley's and my prayers...and on our congregation's prayer tree. I phoned Jerry and Cheryl on the way to their daughter's home outside of Chicago. They send their love and condolences. Love, Marv and Shirley"
"My heart felt sympathy to you and your family, Carol. Remembering Joe from high school, I always picture the two of you together. Love you girl. - Sandy"
"Carol and family, We both were deeply saddened upon hearing of Joe's passing. He was a good friend and always brought a smile to our faces. Our prayers are with you this week and will remain there in weeks to come."
"Dear Carol and Family, We are praying for you during your time of grieving. It was a blessing to be able to see you on Sat. I remember that your family became somewhat of a surrogate family for me when I first started at Taylor. There were many times when you helped me through homesickness and residence hall exhaustion. Thank you for being Jesus to this uncertain freshman. And Kelli, thank you for being a terrific friend. Joe will be fondly remembered and missed by many."
"Dear Carol and Family, We are so sorry to hear about Joe. We have shared lots of memories here at Taylor. Joe always made me smile when we talked. He was a great leader and well deserved the spot in the TU Hall of Fame. He will be greatly missed by many."
"Dear Carol, Kelli, Kyle and other family members: Little did we know that the Lord would take Joe home soon after he and I spoke together just before halftime of the football game. Considering all that happened that day with Joe being honored at the brunch, etc. the timing seemed perfect (we realize no time is perfect, especially for the immediate family) for him to be taken to be with the Lord for eternity. It was a shock for all of us (but maybe not really) and now all we can say is that you certainly have our sympathy Carol as well as Kelli, Kyle and the rest of the Romine family. We will all miss Joe (he was a great friend) but know that he is with the Lord and is in a much better place where there no pain and suffering. May the the Lord comfort ALL of you during this time of grieving the TREMENDOUS loss in your family. With all our love and sympathy, Tim, Carolyn and the other members of the Burkholder family."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the many family and friends who loved Joe. It was a blessing to have known Joe when I was a student-athlete at TU. He was always a great supporter and such a positive person to all of us. The Good Lord is an awesome God, Who chose to take Joe home on one of Joe's most honorable and positive days! Joe's legacy will live on for many years."
"Sincere condolences to the Romine family."
"Carol, We just learned of Joe's passing. Our hearts are heavy. We will never forget the very special times we spent with you and Joe during the Long Island YFC days. And, we will always be grateful for your years of service to Taylor University. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family members. Paul & Mary Robbins"
"Joe-thank you for your service to Taylor University. And, a big thank you for your confidence in me, your encouragement, and your support of our PHP Department. Carol-Lenetta and I extend our sympathy, thoughts and prayers to you and for you and your family."
"Carol and family, Our prayers are with you in your loss. May God be very near to you and bring you His comfort. Bob & Janice"
"Carol, I am so sorry to learn of Joe's passing. Remembering you in thought and prayer, and asking God to bring you comfort and strength during this difficult time. Beth Miller"
"Carol, I just saw this on Knee Mail. Please know that from across the world we are praying for you. May the comfort of Christ be yours. Love, Susan"
"Coach Romine was one of the most influential people in my life. I owe him a debt of gratitude that I can never repay. Thanks for sharing Joe with all of us. His life made a difference!"
"Our condolences to the Romine family and the Town of Upland on your loss of a great man. It was a pleasure to work with you Joe."
"Our sincere sympathy to your family."
"Carol, So sorry to hear about Joe. Our prayers go to you and your family. Sandy Campbell Oswalt"
"Dear Carol and Family, We are so sorry for your loss and you have our deepest sympathy and are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe was a true servant leader and will be greatly missed by many. Many Prayers, Barb & David"