Obituaries and Death Notices

Information about current and former Wayne County, Indiana residents and community members who have died. These obituaries are gathered from area funeral homes and other sources. You can also learn about how to place a paid obituary in the Western Wayne News.
Oretta Farmer CENTERVILLE, IN– Oretta Farmer, age 87, of Centerville, Indiana, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 5, 2026, from an aortic aneurysm at Reid Health. Oretta was born January 20, 1939, in Olive Hill, Kentucky to William and Thelma Mahala Jones Knipp. She lived in this community most of her life and was a 1957 graduate […] — (Posted April 7, 2026)
Gail Ann Slotterback Gail Ann Slotterback, 73, of New Castle passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at her residence. She was born in Marietta, Pennsylvania to the late Robert George and Dorothy Francis (Roland) Slotterback. She is survived by 3 sons, Dwayne Horst (wife, Paula Martin Horst), Eric Picarella (wife, Jody Krieger Picarella), David Picarella Jr.; three grandchildren; […] — (Posted April 7, 2026)
Joellen Bell Jo Ellen (Blevins) Bell, 74, of New Castle, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026, at IU Ball Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born March 16, 1952, in New Castle to the late Dicle and Jo Ann (Gold) Blevins. Jo Ellen loved to travel, she had been all over the world. She traveled […] — (Posted April 7, 2026)
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Robin Gayle (Schroth) Ellis Robin Gayle (Schroth) Ellis, 65, of New Castle passed away on Friday April 3, 2026, at the Waters of New Castle. She was born on November 26, 1960, in New Castle to Harry and Toby (Utt) Schroth Jr. She is survived by her son, Ben Whary; siblings, Gene Schroth, John (Terry) Schroth, Thomas Koons and […] — (Posted April 7, 2026)
Melissa Ann McCord Melissa Ann McCord, 60, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loved ones after a tough battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born April 18, 1965, in Connersville, Indiana, the daughter of Ralph C. and Patricia Ann (Kuntz) Padgett. Melissa was raised in Connersville and later moved to Texas, where […] — (Posted April 7, 2026)
Donald Wayne Hoopingarner Donald Wayne Hoopingarner, 96, entered into his new life with his Lord and Savior on the morning of Saturday, April 4, 2026.He was born January 28, 1930, in New Castle, Indiana, to Perry Clarence “Bud” Hoopingarner and Venus Pearl (Davis-May) Hoopingarner. He graduated from New C… — (Posted April 7, 2026)
George R. Statzer George R. Statzer, age 81, of Eldorado, OH passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026 at the Vancrest of Eaton Health Care Center. He was born December 9, 1944 in Eldorado to the late Gordon and Mildred (Beck) Statzer. George was a 1962 graduate of Monroe High School. He married Janet Smith in 1966. He […] — (Posted April 7, 2026)
Fred R. Marcum Fred R. Marcum, 78, of Liberty, Indiana, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026, at his residence. The son of Leslie Marcum and Pauline Wilson, Fred was born on October 23, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky. He moved to the Oxford area in his youth and was a proud 1965 graduate of Talawanda High School. Fred served […] — (Posted April 7, 2026)
Michaela Brown Obituary and arrangements pending… — (Posted April 6, 2026)
Donald Wayne Hoopingarner Donald Wayne Hoopingarner, 96, entered into his new life with his Lord and Savior on the morning of Saturday, April 4, 2026. He was born January 28, 1930, in New Castle, Indiana, to Perry Clarence “Bud” Hoopingarner and Venus Pearl (Davis-May) Hoopingarner. He graduated from New… — (Posted April 6, 2026)
Curtis J. Friend RICHMOND, IN– Curtis Joe Friend, age 61, of Richmond, Indiana, ascended to heaven to meet his Holy Father Saturday, April 4, 2026at home. Born March 22, 1965, in Connersville, Indiana, to Kenneth Hubert and Judith Laverne Rader Friend, Curt lived in this area his whole life. He attended Richmond Community Schools and went on to […] — (Posted April 6, 2026)
Steven Wade Hall Steven Wade Hall, 38, of Connersville, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at his residence. He was born April 30, 1987, in Florence, Kentucky, to Clovis Hall Jr. and Georgia Marion Godman Hall. Steven attended school in Laurel and Connersville. On January 6, 2022, he married ReGina Rae Russell, who survives. Steven worked at […] — (Posted April 6, 2026)
Reta Faye Wysong Reta Faye Wysong, 63, of Winchester, passed away unexpectedly in Ascension St. Vincent Randolph on Sunday, April 5, 2026. She was born on January 23, 1963, in Jamestown, TN, daughter of the late James Ewing and Ruby (Cooper) Smith. A 1981 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School, Reta worked as a beautician at Pro […] — (Posted April 6, 2026)
Burton Lance Smith Burton Lance Smith, 63, of Connersville, passed away Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, at his residence. A son of Donna Hoskins, Burton was born on July 9, 1962, in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1999, Burton was united in marriage in Brookville to the former Mary Elizabeth Shoemaker. Together, they shared over 26 years of marriage […] — (Posted April 6, 2026)
Kayti VanMatre Samantha “Kayti” VanMatre, 38, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026. Kayti was a bingo aficionado and could regularly be found at the bingo hall. She also greatly enjoyed listening to country music, attending festivals, and going to new places. Kayti is survived by her daughter, Maddi Fowler; mother, Dana Denecke; father, […] — (Posted April 6, 2026)
John David Huffman Danville – John David Huffman, age 53, passed away on April 2, 2026, after a brief illness. He was born on February 21, 1973, in Henry County, Indiana, to the late James Edward Huffman and Lolita B. Huffman. John graduated from Lincoln High School in Cambridge City in 1991 and went on to continue his […] — (Posted April 6, 2026)
Margaret E. Bowling Margaret E. Bowling of Liberty passed away on Wednesday morning April 1, 2026, at the age of 91. Margaret was born in Wayne County, Indiana on September 23, 1934, to David Preston Overbey and Cordia Jane Snyder Overbey. She was an honor student graduating from Short High School in 1952. She was also a member […] — (Posted April 5, 2026)
Christine Robinson Obituary and Arrangements Pending — (Posted April 5, 2026)
Mildred Harris Mildred Harris passed away at Reid Hospital on March 29th, 2026. She was born December 24th, 1951, the daughter of Gilbert and Pearl Issacs. She was a simple person who loved her little dogs. Mildred also enjoyed feeding squirrels and watching westerns in her free time. Mildred leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Lori […] — (Posted April 5, 2026)
Rickey Lynn “Rick” Drake CONNERSVILE- Rickey Lynn “Rick” Drake, 70, passed away early Saturday morning April 4, 2026, at Majestic Care in Connersville, Indiana. Rickey was born in New Castle, Indiana on January 14, 1956, and attended school in Straughn. Formerly of Henry County, Dublin and Cambridge City, Rick has made his home in Connersville for several years. He […] — (Posted April 4, 2026)
Barbara Ann Goebel Barbara Ann Goebel, age 92, of Eaton, OH passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Maple Gardens Nursing and Rehab Center in Eaton. She was born April 2, 1934 in Toledo, OH to the late Emery and Pearl Miller. Barbara owned and operated the Topery Dress Shop in Toledo, OH and later with her […] — (Posted April 3, 2026)
Mary Louise Buckmaster Mary Louise Buckmaster, age 84, of Eaton, OH passed away on April 2, 2026. She was born on August 11, 1941 to the late Chet and Martha (Gilbert) Miller, of West Alexandria. She is survived by her husband KD Buckmaster of Eaton; daughters Sheri (Sean) Fadden of Eaton, Beth Bradford of Morton, Illinois and Anita […] — (Posted April 3, 2026)
Kha’Xiyla Faye Mar’ii Hunt Kha’Xiyla Faye Mar’ii Hunt Went To Be With Her Big Sister, at Riley Hospital March 27th, 2026. She Was Born In Indianapolis, Indiana, The Daughter View full obituary — (Posted April 2, 2026)
Roderick Abraham RICHMOND, IN– Roderick Abraham, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Wellbrooke of Westfield on April 2, 2026. Roderick Abraham was born on February 11, 1940, but he would tell you that his true birthday was February 26, 1978. That was when his Savior, Jesus Christ, redeemed him and transformed […] — (Posted April 2, 2026)
Angelia G. Stapleton York Angelia G. Stapleton York, age 61, of New Paris, Ohio passed died on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. Born on January 27, 1965 in Dayton, Ohio. She was a 1983 graduate of National Trail High School and from MCJVS in cosmetology. She had worked as a CNA and DSP and […] — (Posted April 2, 2026)
Ruthanna S. Griffey Ruthanna Sue (Worl) Griffey passed away after a short illness on March 29, 2026 surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was 73.   Ruthanna was born on November 15, 1952 to Joseph Charles and Lois Eloise (Prather) McFall of Pershing/ East Germantown, Indiana. News of the impending twin birth was so exciting it […] — (Posted April 2, 2026)
Marlene Sue Klopfer Cambridge City – Marlene Sue Klopfer, 81, of Cambridge City passed away the evening of March 16th, 2026, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana after a brief illness. A daughter of the late Clayton and Martha Klopfer, Marlene was born on November 23rd, 1944. She grew up in the Fountain City area before moving to […] — (Posted April 2, 2026)
Romona Eileen “Mona” McCrory Romona (Mona) Eileen McCrory passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle Waltermann Mortuary. — (Posted April 2, 2026)
Kenneth W. Karr Kenneth Wayne “KK” Karr, age 74 of Eaton Ohio passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at his residence. Born on June 16, 1951 in Corbin, Kentucky, he was the son of the late William K. and Betty Lou (King) Karr. Kenneth worked for Withrow Painting in Hamilton, Ohio for 30 plus years. He was a […] — (Posted April 2, 2026)
Alice VanWinkle Harding RICHMOND, IN– Alice VanWinkle Harding, age 77, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Brickyard Golden Rule. Born September 1, 1948, in Taylor, Texas, to Robert and Helen Jarosek VanWinkle, Alice lived in this community for 40 years. She collected purses and when asked, she always had a color of the day. Alice […] — (Posted April 2, 2026)