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.

Judith L. “Judy” Blankenship Judith L. “Judy” Blankenship, age 85, of Eaton, OH passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 30, 1940 in Boston, IN to the late Theodore “Duke” and Bessie (Jackson) Clark. Judy graduated in 1958 from Gratis High School and was a longtime […] — (Posted February 20, 2026)

Howard Lee Crowell – Howard Lee Crowell, 83, of Richmond, IN passed away Wednesday February 18, 2026, at Brickyard Healthcare. Born August 5, 1942, in Richmond, IN to Kenneth and Mildred Brower Crowell, Howard grew up on Quaker Trace Road, West Alexandria in a house his father built. Later moving to a farm in New Paris, OH, he […] — (Posted February 20, 2026)

Dale W. Jackson RICHMOND, IN– Dale W. Jackson, age 73, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, February 19, 2026, at home surrounded by family. Born September 6, 1952, in Anderson, Indiana, Dale has lived in this community since 1986. Dale served in the U.S. Marine Corp. and U.S. Navy for a total of 12 years. He was Assistant Engineer […] — (Posted February 20, 2026)

Joy A. Wortman Joy A. Wortman passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The family is being cared for by Culberson Funeral Home. — (Posted February 20, 2026)

David Allen Saunders David Allen Saunders, 75, of New Castle, passed away on February 18, 2026. He was born in Anderson, IN, on July 31, 1950, to the late Ward and Charlene (Kirk) Saunders. Dave’s journey began at a young age when he discovered his passion for flooring. At just 15 years old, he began laying carpet, a […] — (Posted February 20, 2026)

Danny R. Heaston Danny R. Heaston passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The family is being cared for by Culberson Funeral Home. — (Posted February 20, 2026)

Thomas A. Maurer Thomas A. Maurer passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle Waltermann Mortuary. — (Posted February 20, 2026)

Nancy Louise Mason Nancy Louise Mason, 81, of Indianapolis and formerly of Greenfield passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at IU Health Methodist Hospital. She was born March 4, 1944 in New Castle, Indiana to the late Roy E. and Helen Louise (Sorrell) Welsh. Nancy, a proud graduate of Spiceland High School's class of 1962, devoted many […] — (Posted February 19, 2026)

Lonnie Michael “Mike” Mayse Lonnie Michael "Mike" Mayse Jr., age 77, of Greenville, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Reid Hospital in Richmond, IN. He was born on March 21, 1948 in Piqua, Ohio to the late Lonnie and Patricia (Ford) Puterbaugh. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 27 years, Debbie Mayse; […] — (Posted February 19, 2026)

Amparo Lopez The obituary will be posted soon. View full obituary — (Posted February 19, 2026)

Everett Alvin Miller Everett Alvin Miller passed away peacefully at his home in Pendleton, Indiana on February 14, 2026. He was born January 3, 1934, in Mishawaka, Indiana. View full obituary — (Posted February 19, 2026)

Michael Mejias Leach Michael Mejias Leach, age 63, of Eaton, OH passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He was born July 22, 1962 to the late William and Carolyn (Walker) Leach. Mike was a 1981 graduate of Jackson High School where he excelled in cross country; he earned his Associate in Business from Rio Grande College; […] — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Donald D. “DK” Kring Donald D. “DK” Kring, 76 of Lewisburg, peacefully passed away at his home on February 17th 2026 surrounded by family. Born on May 6, 1949 in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Lester E. Kring and Dorothy M. (Hypes) Weaver. Don graduated from Brookville High School in 1967. After high school he […] — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Clarence Haynes Clarence Haynes 87 formerly of Fountain City living in New Castle died Monday February 16, 2026 Hickory Creek at New Castle. He was born April View full obituary — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Jerry Oakley Jerry R. Oakley, 69, of Milton, passed at home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He was born in Connersville on February 18, 1956 to Kenneth J. and Betty Jean (Scott) Oakley. Jerry grew up in Milton and was a 1974 graduate of Lincoln High School. He worked as an assembler at Wayne Works. When he […] — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Gracelynn Nevaeh Daniels Gracelynn Nevaeh Daniels, 19, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026. On September 29, 2006, Gracelynn was born in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of Christin (Wiggins-Bash) Gibson. Gracelynn was a 2025 graduate of New Castle High School, where she proudly participated in color guard for nine years. She was currently […] — (Posted February 18, 2026)

John Boyd Pilgrim John Pilgrim, 73, of Connersville, passed away Monday evening, February 16, 2026, at Heritage House of Connersville. One of three children of John and Pauline Beaman Pilgrim, John was born on November 9, 1952, in Connersville. He was a 1970 graduate of Connersville High School. On April 28, 1973, John was united in marriage at […] — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Cathy A. Brunner Cathy A. Brunner passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle Waltermann Mortuary. — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Gary Ingalls Sebring, Florida – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Robert Ingalls on February 11th, 2026, at the age of 83. Gary was born on August 9th, 1942, in East Germantown, Indiana, to Bill and Martha (Mullen) Ingalls. He met the love of his life, Sharon Campbell, and they shared […] — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Elmer Lester Harvey Elmer Lester “Les” Harvey, a devoted husband and father, passed away at home February 6, 2026 at the age of 89. He was born at home on the farm to Lustrus and Anna (Strong) Harvey in Wayne County, Indiana. He was raised and spent his formative years in Indiana, where he graduated from Lincoln High […] — (Posted February 18, 2026)

Raymond M. Shallenberger, Jr. Raymond M. Shallenberger, Jr., 63, of Anderson, formerly of New Castle, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026. He was born September 22, 1962, in Hammond, Indiana. Ray graduated from the University of Southern California and worked in the hospitality industry. He worked for Grey Goose Vodka and SPAGO Restaurant in Los Angeles. Ray had been […] — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Bobby Ray Morgan Jr. Bobby “Bob” Ray Morgan Jr, 63, of New Castle passed away Monday, February 16, 2026 at IU Health Ball Hospital. He was born December 20, 1962 in New Castle to the late Bobby Ray Sr. and Carolyn (Conley) Morgan. Bob, a 1981 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School then answered the call to serve […] — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Patricia Mae Simpson Patricia Mae Simpson, age 97, of New Paris, OH passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Vancrest of Eaton Health Care Center. She was born on April 12, 1928 in Richmond, IN to the late Lowell and Priscilla (Arnold) Culbertson. Patty graduated from Jefferson High School in New Paris in 1946. She was married […] — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Elnora Greensfelder Elnora Greensfelder, 82 of Richmond, passed away February 16th, 2026, at Arbor Trace. She was born May 6th, 2026, in Richmond to William and Clara View full obituary — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Norma Elizabeth Black Hollis RICHMOND, IN– Norma Elizabeth Black Hollis, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Friends Fellowship Community. Norma was born December 7, 1936, in Ringgold, Georgia, to Marion Neal and Beatrice Mae Templeton Black. She was a graduate of Alabama Christian High School in Montgomery, Alabama. On May 28, 1955, Norma married […] — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Connie Pollitt MILTON- Constance Lee “Connie” Pollitt, 80, passed away Saturday afternoon, February 14, 2026 at her home in Milton with loved ones at her side. The daughter of the late Herbert A. and Helen Virginia (Taylor) McQuinley, Connie was born in Connersville, Indiana on April 3, 1945 and was a graduate of Connersville High School with […] — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Kyle D. Rader Kyle Douglas Rader of Connersville, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the age of 27. He was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado View full obituary — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Susan Marie (Horigan) Reed Susan Marie (Horigan) Reed, age 77, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at her residence in Brookville, Ohio surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 28, 1948 to the late Francis & Jeannette (Eales) Horigan at their home on Route 121 North in New Paris, Ohio. Susan’s siblings were Sharon […] — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Laura “Joyce” Bledsoe Laura “Joyce” Bledsoe, 70, of New Castle, peacefully went home to be with her Lord on Sunday evening, February 15, 2026, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.Born on November 29, 1955, in Tracy City, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Edna (Sanders) N… — (Posted February 17, 2026)

Fairlyn Rose Clawson Fairlyn Rose Clawson, 80, of Indianapolis passed away Sunday, Feb 15, 2026, at the Chalet Health and Rehab in Indianapolis, where she had been a resident for four years. She was born January 18, 1946, in Indianapolis, the daughter of James Z. and Mary P. Armacost Smith. A 1964 graduate of Fountain City High School. […] — (Posted February 17, 2026)