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.
Joseph “Joe” R. Shelley Joseph “Joe” R. Shelley, 77, of New Castle passed away Sunday December 10, 2023, after an extended illness. He was born October 22, 1946, in New Castle, Indiana to the late James and Martha (Smith) Shelley. Joe graduated from New Castle Chrysler High School in 1964. At age 17 he enlisted in the United States […] — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Alvin “Al” George Wehrley RICHMOND, IN– Alvin “Al” George Wehrley, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Reid Health. Born August 30, 1952, in Eaton, Ohio, to Harold and Florence Storer Wehrley, Al lived all of his life in this community. He was a graduate of Centerville High School and attended Central Christian Church. Al […] — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Holly R. Sparks Holly Renee Sparks, 37, of Richmond, died at her home on Monday, December 11, 2023. She was born in Winchester on December 23, 1985 to James Robert and Jeannette I. (Holliday) Swoveland. She lived most of her life in the Richmond area. She attended Maxville Christian church and Open Arms Church. Holly had been employed […] — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Jack Edwin Viano IN– Jack Edwin Viano, age 81, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Arbor Trace Senior Living. Born November 19, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to Edwin Gritton, Aldo Viano and Blanche Schmalahus Viano, Jack came to this community in 2013. He was a computer programmer at Irwin Publishing Company and had worked as […] — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Achie Russell Achie Russell, 87, of Brownsville passed away December 11, 2023 at Hickory Creek of Connersville. One of five children of Emery and Demi Harrison Russell, Achie was born in Jackson County, Kentucky on February 9, 1936. On June 1, 1957 Achie married the former Annie Benton in Lester Rose’s house in Springersville. Mrs. Russell survives. […] — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Louis Joseph Heeb Louis J. Heeb or “Joe”, as he was known by many, departed this life on December 10, 2023 at home surrounded by friends and loved ones, just as he had wanted. A life long resident of Connersville, he was born September 2, 1941 in Connersville, Indiana. His parents were Louis J. Heeb, Sr. and Louise […] — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Norma Query STRAUGHN- Norma Jean (Kautz) Query, 90, passed away Sunday evening December 10, 2023 at her home while surrounded by her love ones.  A daughter of the late Herbert and Helen (Ostermeier) Kautz, Norma was born in Henry County, Indiana on February 23, 1933. She was a lifelong resident of Henry County and grew up on […] — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Robert Vosmeier Robert “Bobby” Edward Vosmeier passed away on December 9th, 2023. He was born on December 15th, 1952, in Richmond, IN, the son of Edward Vosmeier View full obituary — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Barbara J. Corman Obituary pending View full obituary — (Posted December 12, 2023)
Robert (Bob) Mercer Robert (Bob) Mercer, age 91, born in Miamisburg, Ohio on July 16,1932, the son of Charles and Verna Mercer. He passed on December 8, 2023 at Reid Health under the care of Hospice. He was a Korean War veteran. He worked for Dayton–Walther steel, Natco factory and retired from Mosey Mfg. He married Phyllis Newman […] — (Posted December 11, 2023)
Linda Darlene (Benedict) Massengale Linda Darlene (Benedict) Massengale, 73, a resident of New Castle passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. She was born August 14, 1950 in New Castle to the late John and Hilda (Windmiller) Benedict. The youngest of the Benedict Clan, Linda was born and raised in the Benedict Home on […] — (Posted December 11, 2023)
Charles Stephen Thompson Charles Stephen “Steve” Thompson, 62, of Liberty passed away Friday, December 8, 2023 at Reid Health of Richmond. One of two children of Lloyd Stephen and Beverly Rose Herman Thompson, Steve was born September 2, 1961 in Greenfield, Ohio. A U.S. Army veteran, Steve served his country during the post-Vietnam war era. On January 13, […] — (Posted December 11, 2023)
Earl Thomas Steele Earl Thomas Steele departed this life and went home to be with the Lord, on Saturday December 9, 2023, at Reid Health in Connersville at View full obituary — (Posted December 11, 2023)
Daniel Jones Daniel Jones, 85, went home to be with the Lord on December 8, 2023 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Brookville, Indiana. One of three sons of Elcer and Eddie Margret Fox Jones, Daniel was born on February 25, 1938 in Metamora, Indiana. He spent his school years between Peppertown and Beuna […] — (Posted December 11, 2023)
David Douglas Gray David Douglas Gray, age 54, of Eaton, Ohio, died on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana.  Born on August 29, 1969 in Dayton, Ohio, son of Paul David & Barbara Sue (Conn) Gray.   David graduated in 1988 from Eaton High School.  He had worked at the West Manchester Fire Department, […] — (Posted December 10, 2023)
Sadie Mae Stoltzfus      Sadie Mae Stoltzfus, age 1 month, daughter of Stephen and Mary Liz Stoltzfus of Lynn, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on Friday night, December 8, 2023.    Surviving are her Parents, Stephen & Mary Liz Stoltzfus; Siblings, Benjamin, David Allen, Susie Anne and Dorothy; Grandparents, Jonas & Susie Beiler, Modoc, IN and […] — (Posted December 10, 2023)
Nancy Shears INDIANAPOLIS- Nancy Jo Shears, 85, of Indianapolis passed away on Thursday, December 7th, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis due to an extended illness. Nancy was the daughter to the late Donovan and Ruth Jackson of Lewisville, Indiana. On December 30, 1956, she married Herbert L. Shears Sr., and they spent 65 years together […] — (Posted December 10, 2023)
David Asher Marquis Obituary Pending Funeral services will be held at Community Family Funeral Home, Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Jim Slaven officiating. Family View full obituary — (Posted December 9, 2023)
William George Brown William George Brown age 62 of Richmond died December 7, 2023, at Brickyard Healthcare. He was born August 5, 1961, in Rio Linda, California to View full obituary — (Posted December 9, 2023)
Robert J Toney Robert J Toney Age 85 Land O Lakes, Fl. Robert J Toney passed away on December 3rd, 2023. Robert was born April 17th, 1938, in Richmond, In. to Alphonso and Edith Morris Toney. He attended Richmond High School before enlisting into the Army. He worked at Hoffco Manufacturing and NATCO Manufacturing Before retiring from Richmond […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Daniel Clayton Conway Daniel Clayton Conway, 82, of New Castle, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023 at The Addison Place in New Castle. He was born July 20, 1941 in New Castle, a son of the late Clayton M. and Marjorie Helen (Beeson) Conway. A 1959 graduate of Walter P. Chrysler High School in New Castle, he attended […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Ralph E. Poindexter CONNERSVILLE, IN– Ralph E. Poindexter, age 82, of Connersville, Indiana, died Thursday, December 7, 2023, at home surrounded by family. Born January 19, 1941, in Dublin, Indiana, to John Jefferson and Mattie Stanfield Poindexter, Ralph lived in this community all of his life. He was a graduate of Cambridge City High School and retired from […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Georgia Claudia Ragan Obituary pending View full obituary — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Jon Shane Mays Jon Shane Mays passed away on December 5th, 2023, at home. He was born on September 20th, 1973, the son of Richard and Linda L. View full obituary — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Jeffrey D. Lamberson Sr. RICHMOND, IN– Jeffrey D. Lamberson, Sr., age 66, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, December 7, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital. Born August 20, 1957, in Richmond, Indiana, to Jerry C. Lamberson and Carrie Leona Smith Lamberson, Jeff lived all of his life in this community. Jeff proudly served in the U. S. Navy. He retired […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Deborah Alice Gibson RICHMOND, In – With joyous hearts, the family of Deborah Alice “Debbie” (Schmidt) Gibson announces that our mother has received life’s ultimate reward and went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday December 7, 2023. A lifelong resident of Richmond, Debbie was born on March 14, 1949, to William and Marie (Whaley) Schmidt. […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Betty Lou Wright RICHMOND, IN– Betty Lou Wright, age 77, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, December 7, 2023, at home. Born April 7, 1946, in Hazard, Kentucky, to Clyde and Cora Whitaker, she was one of 10 children. Betty Lou moved to Richmond at 19 years of age. She enjoyed doing hair for 57 years and owned and […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Wilma Ruth Studt Wilma Ruth Studt, 83, passed away December 8, 2023 at Heritage House Connersville. Wilma Ruth (McNally) Studt was born on January 11, 1940 to Albert and Martha (Beasley) McNally on their family farm in Butler County, Ohio. She graduated Whitewater High School and Ball State University with a B.A and M.A in elementary education. She […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Doris A. Tipton RICHMOND, IN– Doris A. Tipton, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Reid Health. Born January 24, 1936, in Harlan, Kentucky, to Hobart Rufus Wilhoit and Maggie Berry Elyina Wilhoit, Doris lived most of her life in Richmond. She was a member of Freedom […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)
Sandra “Sandy” Shipley Sandra “Sandy” Shipley, 70, of New Castle passed away on Tuesday December 5, 2023, at her home. She was born on August 19, 1953, in Tennessee to Phyllis (Padgett) Hannon. Sandy was a kind lady who enjoyed being around and socializing with everyone. She was very family oriented and would do anything for her children […] — (Posted December 8, 2023)