John Stephen "Steve" Coffman II's Obituary
John Stephen “Steve” Coffman II, age 55 of St. Leon, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Mercy West Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Born June 26, 1970, in Beech Grove, Indiana, he is the son of John Stephen Coffman and the late Sharon Kaye (Coker) Coffman. Steve married Diana Kay Engle on June 22, 2002, at Adams Lutheran Church in Batesville, Indiana.
The most important thing in Steve’s life was his family. Anyone that knows him, knows that he abundantly loved his three girls and was a fierce protector of them. He worked hard to give them everything they wanted, including a dream home and epic family vacations.
Steve received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Mathematics from Purdue University. He went on to obtain his master’s degree in Education from University of Indianapolis, where he also met his beautiful wife, Diana. He was a teacher in the Math Department for the Southwest Local School District at William Henry Harrison High School in Harrison, Ohio. He also was a Financial Advisor for Coffman Wealth Management Group alongside his father and siblings.
Diana met Steve at University of Indianapolis in 1997. They fell in love and had two girls, Anna and Alexa. When dating and in the beginning of their marriage, they enjoyed getting dinner and going to the movies every weekend and eating popcorn- sometimes just going for the popcorn. Diana supported him by riding along with him to many games that he scouted for basketball and she never missed a game that he coached. He always referred to them as “his three girls” and he loved them to no end and it showed. Steve always made sure they were his first priority: he provided, he took them on so many wonderful vacations, he coached Anna and Alexa (in life and sports) and he taught his daughters math. Math lessons took place at the kitchen table, going over homework assignments and preparing them for tests. He enjoyed watching many TV shows with Diana and making popcorn for her and him to share. They enjoyed working together on house projects for their dream home and loved seeing their ideas come to life. He coached Anna in basketball and softball and was her personal catcher when she would pitch and took her to many pitching lessons. Steve also helped Alexa in softball and they enjoyed training for cross country and swimming in their pool. In addition to this, Alexa and Steve enjoyed putting puzzles together, playing board games, and always making it a friendly competition.
Coaching was a driving passion of Steve’s life. Basketball was ever present. Steve’s father was a basketball coach for multiple high schools and Steve found a calling. With an impressive start as head manager for Purdue, he learned from Gene Keady and was able to interact with other college coaches at D1 camps. His extensive basketball coaching resume includes being the Grad Assistant at University of Indianapolis for the Men’s Basketball team, Assistant coach for the boys’ basketball team at Delta High School, Freshman boys’ basketball coach and Assistant coach at East Central, Head Coach of the boys’ basketball team at South Dearborn where his brother Bob joined him as his assistant and JV coach, Head girl’s basketball coach at St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, and ultimately the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at William Henry Harrison High School.
His involvement with his community did not stop with basketball. Steve coached both golf at Delta High School and East Central as well as cross country at Harrison. He worked the clock at East Central football games and kept the scorebook at East Central basketball games. In addition, it was a great joy of Steve’s to coach his daughter Anna in Softball at East Central and prior he had coached softball at Harrison. Steve loved to run and was not a stranger to Half Marathons. He trained this year with his daughter Anna to complete the Mini Marathon in Indianapolis, and he helped Alexa when training for a 5K through Girls on the Run.
Steve had a faith that never wavered and it shined like a bright light through all interactions. He cared deeply about the futures of each and every student and player that he encountered. He had a passion for teaching and was always looking forward to the next year. He has made a lasting impact on every student/player he has been in contact with throughout his 32 years of teaching and coaching.
Steve is survived by his wife Diana Coffman of St. Leon; daughters Anna Kay Coffman and Alexa Kaye Coffman; father J. Stephen Coffman of Greenwood, Indiana; father and mother-in-law Arlis and Geneva Engle of Batesville; siblings Christine (Kyle) Brooks of Nineveh, Indiana, Stephanie (Barry) TenBarge of Greenwood, Michael (Rachael) Coffman of Indianapolis, Robert (Kourtney) Coffman of Robinson, Illinois, Diane (Bill) Spotts of Indianapolis, Indiana, Mary Coffman of Beech Grove, James (Jennifer) Coffman of Beech Grove, Joseph (Racheal) Coffman of Indianapolis, and Catherine (Michael) Quinn of Beech Grove; and 25 nieces and nephews.
Steve was preceded in death by his mother Sharon Coffman and sister-in-law Patricia Kay Engle.
Visitation is Thursday, May 7th, from 3 – 7 p.m., at Weigel Funeral Home, 151 West George Street, Batesville, Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 8th, at All Saints Parish - St. Joseph Campus in St. Leon, Indiana, with Fr. Jonathan Meyer officiating. The burial will follow at Adams Lutheran Cemetery in Batesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Steve’s Children Education Fund.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?
