David Lee Spanke

David Spanke, 67, of Cumberland, IN, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025 after a protracted illness. An illness that never diminished his innate zest for life. He was born on February 5, 1958 in Indianapolis, IN to Theodore and Rose Anna Spanke. He grew up on the eastside of Indianapolis and attended Holy Spirit Catholic School and Cathedral High School where he developed many lifelong friendships. In the Spanke tradition, David was a diehard Boilermaker and graduated from Purdue with his degree in Building Construction Technology in 1986. While in West Lafayette, he met and married his beloved Margaret “Peggy” Loeffler, who was to be his partner in life for the next 43 years. Together they had one daughter, Katherine Anne Spanke. Their early years were spent in the Chicago area, but the pull of Indianapolis was strong and they moved back to Indiana in the summer of 1993. David worked primarily in commercial construction, most recently as a cost estimator, but also tried his hand at his own niche business.

David was an avid Indy 500 fan, attending 50+ races in his lifetime. He was a dedicated sports fan and enjoyed watching the Colts and the Pacers as well as the Boilers. He was always among the smartest (and funniest) people in any room. He loved to have fun and was often the life of the party. In fact, he and Peggy were usually hosting that party. He was a regular attendee at events like Santacon and he rocked many a Halloween costume in the day. He was a loyal friend to many. His interests were broad and varied and it seemed he could accomplish anything that he set out to do. He was a music enthusiast with an extensive collection that inspired his related brainchild (the RAVR) which he brought to reality. HIs friends eagerly awaited his carefully curated Christmas compilation CD each year, sent out the day after Thanksgiving. He enjoyed photography. And oh how he loved his plants, amassing at least 100 houseplants that he tended.

David was an active member of Holy Spirit Church and was proud to lend his bass tones as a cantor in recent years. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Fatima, Council #3228, serving as Grand Knight in 2014-2015.

David Spanke is survived by his loving wife, Peggy; his beloved daughter Kate Spanke; his sisters, Jane Walker and Mary Ellen Boerner (Chris) and his many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Spanke; his mother, Rose Anna Spanke; and his brother, John Spanke.

He will be profoundly missed by those fortunate enough to know him.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 4pm to 8 pm at Flanner Buchanan, Washington Park East, Indianapolis, IN A funeral mass will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 7241 E.10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46219. Meal to follow, location TBA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

https://phassociation.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/
https://ocularmelanoma.org/donate