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.
John V. “Jack” Barnhart John V. “Jack” Barnhart age 74 of Eaton, Ohio, died Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at his residence. Jack was born on October 10, 1948, in Richmond, Indiana, the son of the late John W. & Sarah L. (Kesling) Barnhart. He was a 1966 Eaton High School graduate and attended Central Academy of Art in Cincinnati. […] — (Posted May 11, 2023)
William “Bill” R. Faw William “Bill” R. Faw, 73, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday evening, May 9, 2023 at I.U. Health Methodist Hospital where he had been a patient since April 26, 2023. The son of Delmus “Cliff” Faw and Cella McKinney Colvin, Bill was born on February 16, 1950 in Stanford, Kentucky. As a child, he moved to […] — (Posted May 11, 2023)
Matthew Wright Felix  Matthew Wright Felix, age 37, of New Castle, passed away with his wife and chosen brother by his side on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Franciscan Health. He was born December 19, 1985, in New Castle, Indiana to the late Trimble W. & Teresa (Miller) Felix. Matthew was a 2004 graduate of New Castle High […] — (Posted May 11, 2023)
Larry R. Sanford Larry R Sanford, 82, passed away on May 3, 2023, at Forest Park AL He was born on May 28, 1940, to Mae and Ora View full obituary — (Posted May 11, 2023)
Gregory Simmermeyer Gregory James Simmermeyer, age 36, passed away on May 9, 2023, at Reid Health in Richmond. Gregg was born on November 26, 1986, in Connersville, View full obituary — (Posted May 11, 2023)
Dawn E. Bennett Dawn E. Bennett, 67, of Monticello, KY, and formerly of New Castle, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, May 9, 2023 at St. Vincent Hospital Carmel. She was born December 31, 1955 in Indianapolis, a daughter of the late Harold and Loraine (Moss) Williams. She operated Dawnie’s DayCare out of her home for 22 years. An […] — (Posted May 10, 2023)
Beatrice Kay Ward Beatrice Kay Ward, 88, of New Castle passed away on May 8, 2023. Arrangements are pending at this time. — (Posted May 10, 2023)
Joyce Lee Fairchild Joyce Lee Fairchild, 81, of Lewisville, died on May 7, 2023 at Heritage House in New Castle. She was born August 18, 1941 in Woodbury, NJ. A homemaker and mother of four, she was an avid collector of cookie jars and dolls, who enjoyed reading, gardening, and jigsaw puzzles. In 1980 she married Marvin Fairchild […] — (Posted May 10, 2023)
Doris E. Kidd Doris E. Kidd, 91 of Connersville passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. She was born on November 14, 1931, to Talmage Humphrey and Martha View full obituary — (Posted May 10, 2023)
Donna J. Little Donna J. Little, 76, of Williamsburg, died Monday, May 8, 2023 at Rosebud Village, where she had recently resided. She was born in New Castle on December 26, 1946 to William and Louise (Retherford) Shook and was a life long resident of Wayne County. Donna was a graduate of Hagerstown High School, a former employee […] — (Posted May 10, 2023)
Alan Dwight Keesling Alan Dwight Keesling went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 4, 2023. He was born on June 21, 1947 in Straughn, Indiana to Roscoe Donald and Reba Iladene Keesling. He graduated from Straughn High School in 1965 and attended Ozark Bible College, St. Louis Christian College, and Cincinnati Bible College. He married Carol […] — (Posted May 10, 2023)
John Wayne Stewart John Wayne Stewart, age 81, passed away on Monday May 8, 2023 at Reid Hospital. He was born in Hazard, Kentucky on March 7, 1942 to Ottis and Sarah (Daniels) Stewart. After high school, John served in the United States Army, serving time in Germany. He had worked as an equipment installer for GTE and […] — (Posted May 9, 2023)
Nora Anita Amburgey CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Nora Anita Amburgey, age 80, of Centerville, Indiana, died Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born April 22, 1943, in Pike County, Kentucky, to Melvin and Corsie Amburgey, Nora was a resident of this community for 55 years. She was formerly a nurse until becoming a full-time homemaker. Nora loved company […] — (Posted May 9, 2023)
Raymond “Fred” Browning Raymond “Fred” Browning, 90 passed away at his home in Mt. Summit on Monday, May 8, 2023. He was born February 18, 1933 in New Castle, son of the late Raymond W. and Mary R. (Turpin) Browning. A true patriot, Fred served with the United States Army, Air Force and National Guard for 31 years. […] — (Posted May 9, 2023)
David Eugene Pegg David Eugene Pegg, age 85, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on Thursday May 4, 2023 at Reid Health after suffering a major unexpected health event. Living tissue was donated to the Indiana Organ Donation Network. David was born on April 8, 1938 in Richmond, Indiana to Robert R. and Clara (Selm) Pegg who preceded him […] — (Posted May 9, 2023)
Melanie L. Johnson Melanie Lee Johnson, 82, of New Castle, died at her home on Saturday, May 6, 2023. She was born in Richmond on October 3, 1940 to Vearl and Mary (Porter) Leonard. She had resided in Greens Fork before moving to New Castle a few years ago. Survivors include 4 children, Jeff Johnson, Robin Reed (Todd), […] — (Posted May 9, 2023)
Ernest Dee Thornsberry Jr. Ernest Dee “Little Ernie” Thornsberry Jr., 47, of New Castle, died unexpectedly on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2023, at Henry Community Health. There are no services planned at this time. The Sproles family and staff are honored to care for Ernest and serve his family during this tragic and difficult time. — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Tsakania “Tas” Goodpaster Tsakania “Tas” Goodpaster, 63, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away early Thursday morning, May 4, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on November 13, 1959, in Muncie, Indiana, to the late Charles and Mildred “Betty” (Gossitt) Goodpaster. In addition to his parents, Tas was preceded in death by his […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Charles “Glen” Hunt Jr. Ind. – Charles “Glen” Glendon Hunt Jr., age 95, of Centerville, Indiana, died Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Independence Village, Fishers, Indiana. Born May 12, 1927, in Richmond, Indiana, to Charles Glendon Sr. and Dorothy LeMaster (Locke) Hunt, Glen was a resident of this community for several years. He was a 1945 graduate of Richmond […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Michael Leon Davis Michael Leon Davis 52 of Lynn passed away May 8, 2023, at Reid Health after a long illness. He was born October 30, 1970, in View full obituary — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Patrick Evan McWhorter Patrick Evan McWhorter, age 53 passed away at IU Health Methodist Hospital on Friday, May 5, 2023. He was employed by New Castle Housing Authority for over 20 years. In his early years, Pat excelled at playing baseball from Little League and Babe Ruth to High School. Later in life he was an avid online […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Daneeta J. Phelps Daneeta J. Phelps, 76, of New Castle, passed away on Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023, at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center. She was born on May 1, 1947, in Henry County, Indiana, a daughter of the late Francis Beal Davis and Louise May (Bertram) Davis. Daneeta was a 1965 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School and […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Carmella “Carmen” Jean Garrison Carmella “Carmen” Jean Garrison, 69, of Connersville, passed away early Sunday morning, May 7, 2023 at Compassus Hospice Care, Indianapolis. She was born March 2, 1954 in Connersville, the younger of two daughters of James Edward and Barbara J. White Shanklin. Carmen graduated with the Connersville High School class of 1973. At the age of […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Steven Jay Leonard RICHMOND, Ind. – Steven Jay Leonard, age 73, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at his home. Born February 12, 1950, in Richmond, Indiana, to Charles and Mary L. Mort Leonard, Steven was a resident of this community for many years. He was a 1972 graduate of Ball State University with a degree […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Lewis Leidecker Lewis Leidecker, age 55 of New Paris, Ohio, died Monday, May 1, 2023, at Foundations in New Paris, Ohio. Lewis was born on February 1, 1968, in Newport Beach, California, son of L. Lewis & Lorene Amburgy (Yost) Leidecker. He is survived by his sister: Sherry Johnson. A private service will be held at South […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Meri Lee Hampton Meri Lee Hampton, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on May 5, 2023, in Frisco, Texas at the age of 78. She was born to Howard (Bud) Woodruff and Doris Irene (Higgs) Eichhorn on August 15, 1944, in Abington, Pennsylvania. Meri Lee graduated as the salutatorian from Jefferson High School in […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Sandra Kay Bowman Sandra K. “Sandy” Bowman, 79, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on June 8, 1943, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Dave and Nellie (Shields) Warner. In addition to her parents, Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Bowman; […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Bogie Batson LEWISVILLE- Gary Lynn “Bogie” Batson, 68, passed away Friday afternoon May 5th, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana. Gary was born in New Castle, Indiana, on July 27th, 1954, he was raised in Straughn and remained proud throughout his life as being the town-paper-boy. He and his family moved to the Lewisville community, and […] — (Posted May 8, 2023)
Valorie “Kay” Neal Ratcliff Valorie “Kay” Neal Ratcliff passed away peacefully at her home after being surrounded by her immediate family the days and hours prior. She was born November 21, 1952 to Lorene Stigall Larrimore and Bennie Ray Neal. She was a very humble person, who felt the things most important in life were love, family, and kindness. […] — (Posted May 7, 2023)
Lunetta S. Carnes Lunetta S. Carnes, 85, of New Castle, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, May 6, 2023 following an extended illness. She was born September 4, 1937 in Rushville, to the late Basil Doughty and Marjorie McCorkhill. Lunetta retired from Chrysler Corporation in New Castle, and she was a former member of the Moose […] — (Posted May 6, 2023)