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.

Donald E. Showalter Connersville native Donald E. Showalter, 93, died Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Heritage House of Connersville. Don, the oldest son of Russell R. and Helen M. Owens Showalter, was born on February 2, 1930. He attended Harrisburg High School and later enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country during the Korean Conflict. Don […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Deborah Evans Deborah Evans, age 66, of Connersville, Indiana passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023. Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Connersville. — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Joe Allen Cook Joe Allen Cook, age 50 of Richmond passed unexpectedly at home on March 19, 2023. He was the father of Morgan (Ryan) Baker of Noblesville, husband to Robin Cook of Richmond, brother to Ron Casteel of New Paris, Ohio Deb (Steve) Mays of Salley, South Carolina, Billy Cook, Chester (Carol) Cook, Randy Cook, Michael (Debbie) […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Dr. Kathy E. Williams Dr. Kathy E. Williams, 69, of Muncie, Indiana passed away on March 17, 2023. She was born January 22, 1954 in Rushville, Indiana to Ralph and Donna Becraft. She was a member at ELC of Lanham, Maryland. She received her Doctorate in Strategic Leadership at Regen University, Masters of Science in Management with a major […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Carolyn Sue Walker Carolyn Sue Walker was born April 25, 1942, to Arthur William Byrd and Maurine Jett Byrd at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. Our mother, Carolyn Sue Walker, passed away on March 15, 2023, at 5:04 AM, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Carolyn attended Richmond Community Schools and enjoyed going to the high school […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Shaun Francis Witte Shaun Francis Witte, age 77, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Forest Park Health Campus in Richmond. Shaun was born in Birstall, England on February 23, 1946, to Francis John Witte and Frances Drake Witte. He came to the United States as a child and became a US Citizen […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Charles Michael “Mikey” Redd Charles Michael “Mikey” Redd, age 44 was born on October 3, 1978 along with twin brother Joseph Brian, to Joseph D. and Nancy Hobbs Redd in Richmond, Indiana. He died on March 20, 2023 at his home. Mikey went to Alquina Elementary School and Connersville Middle School. He went to Union County High School with […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Donald Gene Guffey Donald Gene Guffey, 61, of New Castle passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Henry Community Health. He was born on January 1, 1962, in new Castle, a son of the late Lonzo Guffey and Lou Tilde (Delk) Guffey. Donald worked at Foam Rubber in New Castle and also various construction projects. He was […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Richard Lee Bailey Richard Lee Bailey, age 66, of New Castle, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023, at his home. He was born January 24, 1957, in New Castle, Indiana to the late Kenneth & JoAnn (White) Bailey Richard was a man that lived life to its fullest. He loved to talk about his daughter and grandchildren. Had […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Charlotte Susanna Raby Charlotte Susanna Raby, 85, of Modoc, died Monday, March 20, 2023 at Glen Oaks Health Campus, New Castle, where she had recently resided. She was born in Decatur County on June 24, 1937 to Henry and Ellen (Welch) Snyder. She resided in Connersville until moving to Modoc in 1966. Charlotte was a former employee of […] — (Posted March 22, 2023)

Heather Nicole Jacobs Heather Nicole Jacobs, 46, of Connersville, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023 surrounded by her loving family at her home. She was born February 21, 1977 in Richmond, Indiana, and she was a 1995 graduate of Richmond High School. She also attended Indiana University East where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. Following […] — (Posted March 20, 2023)

Audrey Marie McKinney Audrey Marie McKinney, 90, of Connersville, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family Saturday, March 18, 2023 at her home. She was born December 31, 1932 in Connersville, the eldest of six children of Stephen Edward and Opal Margarite Rodgers Kemker. She graduated with the Connersville High School class of 1951. Growing up, she […] — (Posted March 20, 2023)

Thurnia R. Rogers, Sr. Thurnia R. Rogers, Sr., age 83, of New Castle, died peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on Thursday, March 16, 2023. He was born on September 22, 1939 in Bourne, Kentucky to Alfred and Katherine (Raines) Rogers. Survivors include his four children, Thurnia (Jessica) Rogers of Hagerstown, Tatia (David) Sheppard of West […] — (Posted March 20, 2023)

Geneva F. Smith Geneva F. Smith, age 98, passed away on March 17, 2023, at Forest Park Health Campus in Richmond, IN. She was born on October 12, 1924, in Connersville, the daughter of the late Russell and Stella Vail Young. Geneva graduated from Fairview High School. On June 1, 1956 she was united in marriage to Everett […] — (Posted March 19, 2023)

Byron “Barney” C. Ritchie Byron “Barney” C. Ritchie, 70, of Springport passed away on Friday March 17, 2023 following an extended illness. He was born on September 27, 1952 in Muncie Indiana to the late Paul and Martha (Carter) Ritchie. Barney was a 1970 graduate of Blue River Valley High School. He owned Ritchie’s Plumbing for more than 30 […] — (Posted March 19, 2023)

Nora Ann (Snedigar) Loveday Nora Ann (Snedigar) Loveday, 91, of New Castle passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023. She was born on August 18, 1931 in Mt. Summit, a daughter of the late John Henry Clay and Vadie (Blake) Snedigar. Known to be always full of energy, Nora enjoyed playing Bingo and in her younger years was a bowler. […] — (Posted March 19, 2023)

Mildred L. Young Mildred L. Young, 98, of New Castle and formerly of Florida, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, March 18, 2023. She was born and raised in Horse Branch, Kentucky on January 15, 1925 and died March 18, 2023. This makes her 98 + years “Young” at the time of her passing. She was […] — (Posted March 19, 2023)

Jeannie C. Aldrich Jeannie C. Aldrich, 94, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Reid Health, Richmond. She was born January 25, 1929 in Greensburg, Indiana to Cloyd “Casey” and Fannie Ayers Long. On October 23, 1947, she married Roy Aldrich in Greensburg. Mr. Aldrich survives. Jeannie was a devoted homemaker. Outside of the home, Jeannie […] — (Posted March 18, 2023)

Marcia Evelyn Brown Marcia Evelyn Brown, 71, of Connersville passed away Thursday evening, March 16, 2023 at Reid Health, Richmond. A daughter of Samuel Francis and Norma Evelyn Dearinger Boyer, Marcia was born on November 21, 1951 in Rushville, Indiana. On November 21, 1979, Marcia married Mark E. Brown in Harrisburg, Indiana. Mr. Brown survives. For many years, […] — (Posted March 18, 2023)

David E. Marling David E. Marling, age 91 of Eaton, Ohio died Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Forest Park Health Campus in Richmond, Indiana. Born on June 9, 1931, in Jennings County, Indiana the son of the late William H. & Ota M. (Bolton) Marling. He attended Paris Crossing High School in Paris Crossing, Indiana, U.S. Marines Corps […] — (Posted March 17, 2023)

Eva Mae (McCashland) Hufnagel Eva Mae (McCashland) Hufnagel 95, of Muncie, Indiana, passed away on March 13, 2023. She was born January 27, 1928, in Liberty, Indiana; the daughter of Elmer R. and Minnie Maxine Davis McCashland. She was a 1946 graduate of Richmond High School. She married Louis J. Hufnagel on December 27, 1948. She was a devoted […] — (Posted March 17, 2023)

Michael Arnold Wright Michael Arnold Wright, 70 departed this life on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. He was born August 10, 1952 to James E. Wright and Margaret O. Wright in Atlanta, GA. Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Church of the Living God, 1120 East Washington Street, Muncie, IN 47305. Wake at […] — (Posted March 17, 2023)

Charlie “O” Owens Charlie “O” Owens, 84, of New Castle passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 after a 7 year battle with cancer. He was born June 23, 1938 in Albany, Kentucky to the late Frank and Edith (Guffey) Owens. Charlie was an electrician with Chrysler Corporation before retiring in June of 2003. He owned Owens Electric for […] — (Posted March 17, 2023)

Shane P. Hawkins Shane P. Hawkins, 54, of Fountain City, passed away on Monday March 13, 2023 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on March 5, 1969 in Richmond to Dave and Jackie (Ross) Hawkins. Shane graduated from Northeastern Jr./Sr. High School in 1987. In 1996, he received his Auctioneer license and became a business […] — (Posted March 15, 2023)

Matthew Adam Lucas Matthew Adam Lucas, age 39, passed away on March 11, 2023, in Richmond. Matthew had been in ill health, but his death was unexpected. He was born in Connersville on February 6, 1984, the son of Wilma Hamilton Flynn and the late Terry L. Lucas. Matthew was very passionate about and had a huge heart […] — (Posted March 15, 2023)

Dixie Jean Coffin Dixie Jean Coffin, age 59, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, March 13, 2023, at Reid Health, after a long battle with NAFLD. Born November 26, 1963, in Richmond, Indiana, to Earl Frederick and Mary Alice Dalzell Davis, Dixie was a resident of this community for her entire life. She worked as a Deputy at the […] — (Posted March 15, 2023)

Eldon Eugene Blankenbeckler Eldon Eugene Blankenbeckler, 93, of Milton, Indiana, passed away Sunday morning, March 12, 2023 at Reid Health, Richmond. He was born March 22, 1929 in Morgan County, Tennessee, one of ten children of Eugene and Gladys May Blankenbeckler. In 1949 he graduated from Oliver Springs High School in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. He served in the […] — (Posted March 14, 2023)

Martha J. Wood Mrs. Martha J. Wood, 96, formerly of Richmond, passed away on Thursday, March 9 at the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin, Indiana. She was born on October 21, 1926 in Richmond to Walter E. and Ruth Hoover Mikesell, who preceded her in death. She was a 1944 graduate of Whitewater High School. Mrs. Wood was […] — (Posted March 14, 2023)

Doris A. Parrett Doris A. Parrett, age 87, passed away at Reid Health on March 12, 2023. She was born April 23, 1935, the daughter of Lee Morton Turner and Cora Ruth Miller Turner, in Richmond, Indiana. Doris had been a resident of Wayne County most of her life. She was a graduate of Richmond High School and […] — (Posted March 14, 2023)

Casey Duane Shook Casey Duane Shook, 45, of New Castle passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis following an extended illness. He was born on October 27, 1977 in Muncie, a son of Carl Duane and Debra Ann (Wyatt) Shook. Blessed with a servants heart at a young age, Casey had a love […] — (Posted March 14, 2023)