Bobby W. Bane, Sr., age 84, of Batesville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, at Arbor Grove Village nursing home in Greensburg, Indiana.
He was born in Bluefield, Virginia, to parents Hallie and Lillian Bane on January 10, 1942 (deceased). Bob was one of nine children and was preceded in death by his four brothers and two sisters: Hallie C. Bane, Jr., Donald W. Bane, G. Daniel Bane, Frederick H. Bane, Betty Jean Bane, and Patricia Darlene Bane. He is survived by his two sisters, Brenda White Sturgill and Linda Fields.
Bob left home at an early age and migrated to the Cleveland, Ohio, area where he worked for the parts division of American Motors Corporation. He was then transferred to the Cincinnati location where he met his wife, Vergie M. Bane, who recently passed away on February 2, 2026. Bob and Vergie were married just shy of 65 years.
Bob eventually began working for General Motors Parts Division (GMPD) in Sharonville, Ohio, and remained employed there until his early retirement after 34 years. Bob also attended barber school prior to joining GMPD and maintained his barber license for many years to come. He provided hundreds of free haircuts to friends and family over the years.
It was Bob’s lifelong dream to own a farm someday, and in 1968 he moved his family to the Batesville area and became a part-time farmer when he wasn’t working at GMPD. Although he experimented with multiple types of farming, he found the most enjoyment and success from raising tobacco and nursing baby calves until they were ready for pasture.
He is survived by his four children: Freda Bane-Prastitis (Ted), Bobby Bane, Jr. (Wanda), Teresa Devaul (Stuart), and Donny Bane (Beth). He was blessed with 13 grandchildren: Kara Whittington (James), Stephanie Feller (Eric), Rachel Prastitis, Aurora “Nora” Prastitis, Willard Devaul (Jenna), Charles Devaul, Augustus Devaul, Amy Mehlon (Joe), Andrew Bane, Adam Bane, Abraham Bane, Asa Bane, and Amos Bane, as well as eight great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Arbor Grove Village. The staff could not have been kinder during Bob’s yearlong stay and especially over the last week of his life.
Bob’s funeral will be held at Meyers Funeral Home on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Visitation will be from 12:00–1:00 p.m., followed immediately by the funeral service. After the service has concluded, Bob will be buried next to his wife at Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville, Indiana.
Please feel free to share a memory or message of comfort for Bob’s family in the online guestbook at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com.