Rodney Alan “Rod” McCune, 63, Highland Lakes, N.J.

Rodney Alan “Rod” McCune, 63, of Highland Lakes, New Jersey, passed away on April 25, 2026, after a courageous eight-month battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer.

Rod was born on October 12, 1962, in Jasper, Indiana. The beloved son of Mary Ruth and Max McCune. Rod was a husband, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law and friend to so many who will miss his kindness, smile and laughter. Rod was known by several names by those who loved him, including Uncle Rod, Rocky, and Uncle Broadway.

Rod’s talents were many: dancer, singer, actor, musician, piano and organ player, drummer, artist, cheerleader, dance captain, choreographer, production associate, gardener, home stager and interior designer. Rod used his many talents to bring happiness to others. Performing backflips and round-offs for Jasper Wildcat fans, Purdue fans, and eventually across Broadway stages in New York City, Rod was an exuberant natural talent and enjoyed performing and sharing his talent with others. From the time he was a young boy gleefully twirling a baton in the backyard on Main Street, throwing it high into the air and confidently catching it, to performing that same trick in Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out on Broadway 40 years later, Rod was a joyful and natural performer.

Rod’s dancing career began in 1981, when Mrs. Pat Koch hired Rod for the stage show at Holiday World! He went on to become a Purdue cheerleader, a Kings Island stage show performer, a cruise ship performer and choreographer, and to earn his bachelor’s degree from Butler University. He eventually moved to New York, and his Broadway career started with the musical Ain’t Broadway Grand! Rod found great success in show business as a Broadway dancer/singer/actor (and dance captain) and forged many deep and lasting friendships along the way. It was in Damn Yankees that Rod and John-Michael met in 1995.

In 2011, Rod and John-Michael were living in their lake house in Highland Lakes, New Jersey, when a friend needed help getting her house on the market. They staged her house, and this led to an unexpected success as stagers for the next 15 years. Staging was much like theatre. It was a playground for creation, and it was especially similar in the way meaningful relationships and friendships formed.

After Rod’s diagnosis in September 2025, his deepest commitment was to keep living in the moment, cherishing each freedom he had to enjoy. That included excellent food and sweets, wonderful rest and relaxation, TV and movies, strenuous PT/OT sessions performed with intense focus, rides around New Jersey, visiting friends/family, and absorbing the beauty of everything you see everywhere. Rod was incredibly brave throughout his battle. His ability to embrace the moment at hand with courage and grace was beautiful for so many to witness and a poignant reminder of just who Rod is. Throughout his illness, visitors, cookies, chocolates, ice cream, flowers, calls, cards, letters and gifts were a constant for Rod. They filled him with so much joy and gratitude.

Preceding Rod in death were his mother, Mary Ruth McCune and his niece Merris McCune, both of Jasper, Indiana.
Rod is survived by his loving husband (married October 22, 2025) and partner of 30 years John-Michael Flate, (New Jersey), his father, Dow “Max” McCune of Jasper, his siblings, Michele (Brian) Rose of Jasper, Indiana, Maureen (Mem Berg) McCune of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Christy Sadri of Indianapolis, Indiana, Zach (Jill) McCune of Jasper, Indiana, Patrick (Stacy) McCune of Plainfield, Indiana, ten nieces and nephews and four great nieces and nephews.

Rod had a tremendous impact on so many people throughout his life. The family is grateful for shared stories of inspiration, friendship and laughter that so many of you have shared during his illness. With all his many talents, Rod’s greatest gift was that of friendship.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 9, from 1-4 PM at KlubHaus 61, 2031 N Newton St, Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 482-2898. There will a Celebration of Life in the NY/NJ area, and the Boston area in the fall.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make memorial contributions to The Parklands Endowment or The Actors Community Theatre Endowment, both at the Dubois County Community Foundation.

Condolences can be shared here https://proutfuneralhome.com/obituaries/rodney-mccune-apr-2026.