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.

Betty J. Harris Betty J. Harris, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Arbor Trace Exceptional Senior Living. Born June 3, 1933, in Muncie, Indiana, to Herman and Vera Keesling, Betty lived in this community most of her life. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church. Betty was a great mom, grandma […] — (Posted March 10, 2023)

Geraldine (Bicknell) St. Clair Geraldine (Bicknell) St. Clair, better known as Gerre, was born in Deer Lodge, Tennessee on Christmas Day, 1932, the youngest of 16 siblings. She passed away peacefully on February 21, 2023 surrounded by family. Gerre lost her husband of 66 years on October 13, 2022, then fell and broke her leg 2 days before his […] — (Posted March 10, 2023)

Anna Virginia Tornes (Terhaar) Anna Virginia Tornes (Terhaar) of Sunbury, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2022, at Johnstown Pointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. She was born October 15, 1934, in Harrisburg, IN to the late Ruby E. (Weaver) and Joseph G. Terhaar. Anna graduated from Williamsburg, IN High School and St. Vincent Hospital […] — (Posted March 10, 2023)

Bonnie Jo Phillips Bonnie Jo Phillips passed away on March 5, 2023 in Summerfield, Florida. She was born in Richmond, IN on April 7, 1949 to Carl and Mildred (Mumma) Miller. Bonnie graduated from Centerville High School in Indiana in 1967. She worked many years at Stevens Wire in Richmond. She moved to Florida in 2001 and started […] — (Posted March 10, 2023)

Nancy W. Gilmore Nancy W. Gilmore, 99, previously of Connersville, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Manor Grove Nursing Home in Kirkwood, Missouri where she had been a resident. She was born January 31, 1924 in Lee County, Kentucky, the daughter of Thomas and Myrtle Gabbard Wyatt. The family lived in Kentucky a short time before moving […] — (Posted March 8, 2023)

Danie Darryl Dishman Danie Darryl Dishman, age 78, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 5, 2023 at his home. Born July 23, 1944, in Straughn, Indiana, to Ernest Claude and Mary Belle Beatrice Miller Dishman, Danie was a resident of Henry County and of this community for the past 2 years. He was a high school graduate from […] — (Posted March 8, 2023)

Walter Earl Powell Jr. Walter Earl Powell Jr., age 54, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Rochester, Minnesota. Born August 4, 1968, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Walter Earl Powell Sr. and Susan Smalley Powell, Walter was a resident of this community for 29 years. He was a high school graduate from Lakeland High School, Florida, and […] — (Posted March 8, 2023)

Donald Gene Price Donald Gene Price, 86, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023 quietly in his sleep after a long illness. Don is survived by his daughters; Cindy Arrington and Melissa House, grandchildren; Jayson Arrington, Shawna, Crawford, Alyssa Martin, Joshua Price Goebel, Taylor Price, Austin Price, Hailey Price, and Emily Price-Dinh. He is […] — (Posted March 8, 2023)

David A. “Dave” Kessler David A. “Dave” Kessler, age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Forest Park Health Campus in Richmond, Indiana. He was born on January 30, 1938 in Richmond, Indiana, son of the late Frank Elwood & Betty Ellen (Baumgardner) Kessler. Dave was a retired Salesman & Auctioneer and had a family business […] — (Posted March 8, 2023)

David A. Terry David A. Terry, 68, of New Castle passed away on the morning of Sunday, March 5, 2023 at The Waters of New Castle. He was born on November 18, 1955 in New Castle, a son of the late Marion and Anabell (Criswell) Terry. David was a hard worker and was well-rounded in housing construction. He […] — (Posted March 7, 2023)

Andrew “A.J.” Wise Andrew “A.J.” Wise, age 20, of Losantville, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 15, 2002, in New Castle, Indiana to James Elbert Wise Jr. and Tabatha (Wren) Wise. AJ enjoyed going to the different zoo’s to see the animals, playing video games and […] — (Posted March 7, 2023)

Michael Lee White Connersville resident Michael Lee White, 59, died Friday, March 3, 2023 at his residence. Mike was born on July 25, 1963 to Carolleta Fay Berger in Rushville. He graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1981. Following graduation, Mike enlisted in the army where he received several awards including: Army service medal, Marksman, […] — (Posted March 7, 2023)

Stephen Larry Starling Stephen Larry Starling, 82, of Hagerstown, passed away at his home on Monday, March 6, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born in Muncie on August 8, 1940 to David and Mable (Myers) Starling. Stephen served with the US Air Force from 1960 to 1963. He was an airplane mechanic, stationed in Germany. He was […] — (Posted March 7, 2023)

Buster Owens Buster Owens, age 78, of Centerville, Indiana, died Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Reid Health. Born December 24, 1944, in Middlesboro, Kentucky, to Parks and Evelyn Steele Owens, Buster was a resident of this community for most of his life. He worked at Wayne Works and was also employed in the truck driving and construction […] — (Posted March 7, 2023)

Tammy Louise Dawson Tammy Louise Dawson, age 61, of Brownsville, Indiana, died Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Reid Health. Born September 26, 1961, in Connersville, Indiana, to George Perry and Dema Catherine Dawson, Tammy was a life-long resident of this area. She was an assembler at Visteon. Tammy loved gardening and yardwork, woodworking, and cooking. Survivors include her […] — (Posted March 7, 2023)

Kimberly L. Jackson Kimberly L. Jackson, 44, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on March 4, 2023. She was born on October 25, 1978 in Palo Alto, California to Dale and Belinda Jackson. Kimberly attended Richmond Community Schools, she a bartender/manager at Frickers for 17 years. Kimberly dedicated her life to Chris and her children, she was pretty selfless. […] — (Posted March 6, 2023)

Lloyd E. McDermitt Lloyd E. McDermitt, 91, formerly of the Whitewater community, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 3, at the home of his son in Delphi, Indiana. He was born on October 26, 1931 in Webster Township, Wayne County, Indiana to Layman Lloyd “Mac” & Esther Etta Tomlinson McDermitt. He was a 1951 […] — (Posted March 6, 2023)

Ethan Allen DeMent Ethan Allen DeMent passed away suddenly following a car accident on March 2, 2023. He was born on April 21, 1990, in Muncie, Indiana to Donna (Griffith) DeMent and the late Fred DeMent. Ethan graduated from Randolph Southern High School in 2008, and he later continued his education at IU East and IU Bloomington. He […] — (Posted March 6, 2023)

Earl Douglas Sparks Earl Douglas Sparks, age 52 of Connersville, passed away on Wednesday March 1, 2023, Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis. Doug was born on December 20, 1970, in Connersville, the son of Jacqueline Neukam Lutz and the late Earl Sparks. He earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ivy Tech. Doug was employed at Ambassador Healthcare in […] — (Posted March 6, 2023)

Jo Ellen Abney Jo Ellen Abney, age 79, passed away on Saturday February 25, 2023 at Reid Health. She was born in Richmond, Indiana on May 11, 1943 to Robert Bernard and Rose (Smith) Newton. Jo is a Richmond High School graduate, class of 1961. She was married to her husband Ralph for 34 years before his passing […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Wanda Jean McKinney Wanda Jean McKinney, age 80, went home to be with our Lord and Savior and to meet her loved ones on March 1, 2023. She was born September 29, 1942, the only child of Olzie and Odie Garner, in Chicago, Illinois. Wanda was a very classy lady who loved to shop and spend time with […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Donna Gail Schiferl (née Feltes) Donna Gail Schiferl (née Feltes), 81, Richmond, Indiana, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023, at home, her hand held by Charles, her adoring husband of more than sixty years. Born in Chicago to William and Shirlee (Wilkinson) Feltes on April 21, 1941, Donna and three younger brothers were raised in Oak Park, Illinois. Blonde, curly-haired […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Dortha Marie Meredith Dortha Marie Meredith, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, passed peacefully Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Friends Fellowship Community surrounded by family. Born February 2, 1937, in Robinson, Illinois, to Stacy E. and Ethel A. Wesner, Dortha was a resident of the Richmond community for many years. She was Pastor at Williamsburg Friends Meeting and Associate […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Winford Bill Petitt Winford Bill Petitt, age 87, passed away on Sunday February 26, 2023 at Forest Park Health Campus. He was born in Salt Lick, Kentucky on January 20, 1936 to Mitchell and Nellie Petitt. Winford served in the United States Army during the end of the Korean War. He was a member of the Post 315 […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Audrey Lee “Podge” Upchurch Audrey Lee “Podge” Upchurch, age 90, of New Castle passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023 at The Waters of New Castle. She was born on July 25, 1932 in Henry County to the late Alonzo and Elizabeth (Davis) Lowe. Audrey was a lifelong resident of New Castle and retired from the New Castle State […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Harry Davis McCafferty, Jr. Harry Davis McCafferty, Jr., loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, died on Thursday March 2, at age 98 after a brief illness. Born in Richmond, IN, to Harry and Meta (Richard) McCafferty, Sr., the family later relocated to Columbus, OH. Following graduation from North High School, Harry, a gifted artist, was employed as a designer […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Cally Ann Golden Cally Ann Golden, 56, of New Castle, passed away early on the morning of Friday, March 3, 2023 at Hickory Creek at New Castle. She was born on January 23, 1967, in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of the late James Oliver “Diamond Jim” and Debbie (Winchester) Golden. Cally loved the outdoors and especially fishing. […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Shirley F. Buell Shirley F. Buell, 77, of New Castle, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at her home. She was born June 29, 1945, in Somerset, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Arthur and Charlotte (Strunk) Johnson. Shirley was a selfless, giving, and caring person with a great sense of humor. She loved tending to […] — (Posted March 4, 2023)

Beryl Wesler Beryl Wesler, age 90, of New Paris, Ohio, died Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at home peacefully with family at his side. Born May 18, 1932, in New Paris, Ohio, to Frank and Gertrude Hawley Wesler, Beryl was a life-long resident of this area. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1950. The U. S. Army […] — (Posted March 3, 2023)

Violet Gaye Fitzwater Bruner Violet Gaye Fitzwater Bruner, 83 of Richmond passed away on February 27, 2023, at Reid Health after a long illness. She was born May 18, 1939, in Darke Co., Ohio to Willie Parker and Edna Lee Shaffer Fitzwater; she lived in the Richmond area for the last 50 years. She has worked for Corning Glass, […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)