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.

Patricia Waskom Patricia (Pat Ballard) Waskom, daughter of Jack Edgar Ballard and Frances Marie (Johnson) Ballard and widow of Larry Lee Waskom, passed away on February 7, 2026. Patricia was born on November 25, 1946 in Fayette County, Bentonville, Indiana. Patricia graduated form Lincoln High School with the Class of 1964. She retired from Verizon after […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

David Bruce Groce David Bruce Groce, 60, of Midland, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 8, 2026. He was born in New Castle on April 26, 1965, to Roy and Helen (Dick) Groce. David was a proud 1985 graduate of Blue River Valley Jr/Sr High school and one of his proudest accomplishments was his […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Debra Joan Tinkle Debra “Debbie” J. Tinkle, 77, formerly of rural Knightstown passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Franciscan Hospice House. She was born October 14, 1948 in New Castle to the late Gilbert M. and Juanita L. (Kennedy) Kriner. Debbie graduated from New Castle High School then pursued her passion for hair at beauty college in […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

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Donald S. Clark RICHMOND, Ind. – Donald S. Clark, age 63, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, February 6, 2026. He was born October 6, 1962, in Richmond, Indiana, to Carroll Vaughn and Donna Marie Showalter Clark. Donald formerly worked at PRC, Papa John’s, The Iron Skillet, and Houston Manufacturing. He treasured spending time with his family and was […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Leroy Smith Leroy Smith, 95, of New Castle, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, February 6, 2026, at Addison Place, surrounded by compassionate care.He was born on March 10, 1930, in Oxford, Ohio, a son of the late Roy and Ethel (Eucks) Smith. Leroy was a proud graduate of Cadiz High S… — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Philip Lester Borders Philip Lester Borders, age 90, passed away on February 7, 2026, at Berman Commons Assisted Living Center in Dunwoody, Georgia. Philip was born on July 25, 1935, in Bloomfield, Indiana, the son of Robert Borders and Edna Mae (Lester) Borders. Phil married the love of his life, Wilma, in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1957. Together they […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Theresa Gale Bryant Theresa Gale Bryant, 71, of Laurel passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Reid Health of Richmond. She was born on August 25, 1954, in Rushville, Indiana, the daughter of Alfred Napier and Flora Bryant and she was a graduate of Laurel High School. For over ten years, Theresa was a cook and assisted in […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Rev. Charles “Charlie” Devon Riggs Rev. Charles Devon “Charlie” Riggs, 85, of New Castle passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026 at his home. He was born October 3, 1940 in New Castle to the late Milford and Mary Mossaline (Kendall) Riggs. Charlie proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. A man of deep faith […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Roy B. Mitchem Roy B. Mitchem, 79, of Connersville, passed away Saturday morning, February 7, 2026, at Heritage House. One of the children of Homer B. and Ada “Lizzy” E. Bergen Mitchem, Roy was born on August 18, 1946, in Crumpler, West Virginia. On June 28, 1969, Roy was united in marriage in First United Methodist Church to […] — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Harold “Beanie” Pollitt Harold “Beanie” Pollitt of Janesville, WI (formerly of Connersville, IN) was surrounded by family when he left this world on February 7, 2026. He was View full obituary — (Posted February 9, 2026)

Leroy Smith Leroy Smith, 95, of New Castle, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, February 6, 2026, at Addison Place, surrounded by compassionate care. He was born on March 10, 1930, in Oxford, Ohio, a son of the late Roy and Ethel (Eucks) Smith. Leroy was a proud graduate of Cadiz High… — (Posted February 8, 2026)

Wanda Kay Ketron Wanda Kay Ketron, age 85 of Eaton, Ohio passed on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Greenbriar Care Community in Eaton, surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy of faith, devotion, and gentle strength that will be cherished for generations to come. Born on January 30, 1941, in Baltimore, Ohio she was […] — (Posted February 8, 2026)

Dennis W. Lindsey Dennis Lindsey, age 86, of New Castle, IN passed away at home on February 6, 2026 with his wife, Myra Kaye Williams Lindsey at his side. Dennis was born at home on his parents’ farm in Losantville, IN. He is survived by his wife, Kaye, his daughters, Cheryl K. Bennett and Jan Lindsey, and his […] — (Posted February 7, 2026)

Steve Clark Mr. Steven Boyd Clark, 71, of Fountain City, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, February 5. Steve was born on August 3, 1954, and was the son of Boyd and Ceinwen Phelps Clark. He was a 1972 graduate of Northeastern High School and a 1973 graduate of the Nashville Auto & […] — (Posted February 7, 2026)

Michael Wayne Cooper Michael Wayne “Mike” Cooper, 69, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Reid Health of Richmond. One of three children of Wayne and Joan Boles Cooper, Mike was born September 15, 1956, in Greenfield, Indiana. He attended Rushville High School until his family moved to the family farm in Connersville, where he graduated […] — (Posted February 7, 2026)

Paul Eugene “Gene” Schneider Paul (Gene) Eugene Schneider passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle Waltermann Mortuary. — (Posted February 7, 2026)

Tobias “Toby” Jerome Lingg Tobias (Toby) Jerome Lingg of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away peacefully Thursday morning February 5, 2026 at IU West of Avon Indiana. He was born on January 1, 1965 in Connersville, Indiana, the son of the late Louis E. and Joan C. Lingg and was the eighth of nine children. He graduated from Connersville High School […] — (Posted February 7, 2026)

Thomas J. Pohlabel Thomas J. Pohlabel, age 98, of Eaton, OH passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 2, 1927 in Lima, Ohio to the late John H. and Bonnie L. (Dawson) Pohlabel. Thomas was a U.S. Army Air Corps Veteran and served during WWII. […] — (Posted February 7, 2026)

John Paul Cunningham John Paul Cunningham was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He left this world far too soon on February 5, 2026 at View full obituary — (Posted February 6, 2026)

Deloris N. Rooper Deloris N. Rooper, 88, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 4, 2026. She was born in Hurricane, WV on November 9, 1937, to the late Frank and Elizabeth (Searles) Campbell. Deloris graduated from Hurricane High School in 1955. She lived most of her life in Hurricane West Virginia, where she […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)

Felix Evans, Jr. Felix Evans, Jr. of Liberty passed away on Wednesday February 4, 2026 at Rosebud Village in Richmond at the age of 90. Felix was born View full obituary — (Posted February 5, 2026)

Mark Thomas Nuse Mark Thomas Nuse, age 41, of Eaton, OH, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at his residence. He was born September 30, 1984 in Dayton, OH to Linda J. (Dininger) Nuse and the late Thomas Frederick “Fred” Nuse. Mark was a 2003 graduate of Twin Valley High School and attended Ohio State University […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)

Paul A. Mason Paul A. Mason, age 71 of Dayton, Ohio and formerly of Eaton Ohio, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Wood Glen Alzheimer's Community. Born on June 5, 1954 in Richmond, Indiana, he is the son of Lucille P. (Riege) Mason and the late Donald F. Mason in 2018. Paul worked at the I 70 […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)

Virginia Lynne Fraze Wilhelm CONNERSVILLE, Ind. – Virginia Lynne Fraze Wilhelm, age 86, of Connersville, Indiana, died Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Caroleton Healthcare. Born September 9, 1939, in Centerville, Indiana, to Castle and Alice Brannon Fraze, Virginia lived in this community most of her life. She was a 1957 graduate of Centerville High School. Virginia retired from U.S.D.A. […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)

Jack Harrison Jack Harrison, 89, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday morning, February 3, 2026, at Arbor Trace of Richmond. He was born September 7, 1936, in Jackson County, Kentucky, one of eight children of the late Stanley and Margaret Stewart Harrison. On April 20, 1957, Jack was married in Jellico, Tennessee, to Lorene Honeycutt of McKee, Kentucky, […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)

Brandon Alexander Erbse II Brandon Alexander Erbse II, precious newborn son of Casey and Brandon Erbse, was born at 7:00 PM on January 12, 2026, and went to Heaven at 9:36 that night. After months of uncertainty and prayers, little Brandon was born at Reid Hospital in Richmond, IN surrounded and embraced by unconditional love. Baby Brandon was the […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)

Melba J. Smith Melba J. Smith, 80, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at her residence. She was born June 18, 1945 in Albany, Kentucky to Thurston and Goldie (Ballenger) Jones. Melba was employed at Huntington Industry, Alpha Pro Fab, New Castle Developmental Center and the Richmond State Hospital, where she retired after 20 years […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)

Ellen Lynch Ellen Lynch, 93, passed away on Tuesday morning, February 3, at Reid Health. She was born on May 7, 1932, in Clay County, Kentucky to John T. & Essie McCreary Wagers. Ellen was a hard worker and a loyal warrior. In her youth, she was a cook at a drive-in restaurant and later worked in […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)

Rhonda Culwell Rhonda Lynn Culwell, 64, of Richmond, passed away on Thursday evening, January 29, at Reid Health. Rhonda was born in Richmond, Indiana, on April 1, 1961, the daughter of Thomas & Bernice Jordan Stewart. She formerly worked in manufacturing and spent many years serving hungry customers as a waitress. She enjoyed crocheting and listening to […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)

Donald K. Moystner Donald K. Moystner, age 81, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Reid Health. He was born September 10, 1944, in Richmond, Indiana, to Ara and Pauline Lent Moystner. Don worked as the business manager for American Water Works before retiring after 37 years of service. He was a good man, dad, husband, […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)