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.

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)

Kimberly Ann Maloy Kimberly Ann Maloy, 64, of Connersville, gained her angel wings Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at her home. She was born May 11, 1958 in Connersville to Robert Eugene and Dolores Powell Ridge. In 2000, she married Danny Maloy in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Mr. Maloy survives. For a number of years, Kimberly worked as a lunch […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Linda Ladd Linda Ladd, age 86, passed away on February 24, 2023 at Reid Health in Richmond. Linda was born on February 29, 1936, in Connersville, the daughter of the late Shelby and Gladys Millspauph Kelley. Linda was united in marriage on April 16, 1996, to Martin David Ladd. They enjoyed 17 years together prior to his […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Ferrell Lewis Dunaway Ferrell Lewis Dunaway, age 85, of Liberty, passed peacefully at his farm surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. The youngest of 11 children, he was born March 24, 1937 in Irvin, Kentucky to Plez Daniel Dunaway and Maryliza Reed Dunaway. On February 9, 1959, Ferrell married the love of his life Hazel […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Larry D. Ammerman Larry D. Ammerman, age 82 formerly of Connersville, passed away on Sunday February 26, 2023 at his home in New Palestine, IN. Larry was born on October 9, 1940, in Harrison Ohio, the son of the late Ralph and Gladys Courtney Ammerman. Larry served his country in the U.S. Army from January 1960 to November […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Virgil L Kelley Jr. Virgil L Kelley Jr, a resident of New Castle passed away Monday, February 27, 2023 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie Indiana. He was born September 14, 1960 in New Castle, a son of the late Virgil Kelley Sr and Donna (Wolfe) Kelley. He had been an employee at New Castle State Correctional […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Marjorie (Grieves) Shelton Marjorie (Grieves) Shelton, age 79, of New Castle passed away Monday, February 27, 2023, at her home. She was born June 6, 1943, in Peoria, IL to the late John A. Grieves & Velma Louise (Kimberlin) Tucker. Marjorie married the love of her life Robert Shelton in 1989 and enjoyed several years of marriage until […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Ronald Lee Nicholson Mr. Ronald Lee Nicholson, 84, of Richmond, passed away on Tuesday, February 28 at Reid Health Hospice. Ron was the third son of Russell and Maxine Addleman Nicholson, both of whom preceded him in death. He was born on his mother’s birthday, January 17, 1939 in Wayne County, Indiana. Ron was a 1957 graduate of […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Betty L. McKee Betty L. McKee, age 86, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Reid Health. Born April 16, 1936, in Richmond, Indiana, to Lewis A. and Anna Beth Robinson Danels, Betty was a life-long resident of this community. She was a 1954 graduate of Richmond High School. Betty worked as a dental assistant before […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Robert Joseph Teegarden Robert Joseph Teegarden, 84, of Richmond, passed away on February 27, 2023. He was born October 7, 1938, in Richmond to Robert Horner and Bernice Longstreth Teegarden; he lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving back to Richmond 13 years ago. Robert served in the United States Air Force; during his time of service, he […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Charles R Rogers Charles R Rogers, age 95, passed away March 1, 2023 at Heritage House in New Castle, Indiana. Charles was born December 23, 1927 in Sciotoville, Ohio to Joseph and Nettie (Wilson) Rogers. He spent most of his life in Portsmouth, Ohio and spent the last few years with his son and daughter-in-law in New Castle, […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

Bob L. Clapp Bob L. Clapp, 93, of Spiceland passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at his residence. He was born February 3, 1930 in New Castle the son of Robert and Minnie Mae (Arnold) Clapp. Bob attended Spiceland Schools. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He was a delivery truck driver and surveyor […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

William E. “Bill” Carter William E. “Bill” Carter, 76, of Spiceland, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. He was born June 4, 1946 in Marion County, IN, a son of the late Edward E. and Norma Catherine (Bailey) Carter. Bill retired from Chrysler Corp. in New Castle in 2000 following 35 years of service. […] — (Posted March 2, 2023)

James Ray Robbins James Ray Robbins, 69, of Richmond, died February 26, 2023. He was born October 1, 1953 in Richmond to Robert and Edna Miller Robbins and lived here all of his life. James worked in factories and did handyman work. He is survived by his sister Nacy Pugh, one niece, and several cousins. He is preceded […] — (Posted February 28, 2023)

William “Bill” Thomas Shearer William “Bill” Thomas Shearer, 83, of Richmond, died Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Reid Health surrounded by his family. He was born on January 1, 1940, in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky to Bennie Shearer and Dorothy McCracken Rowland and lived here most of his life. Bill retired from Thoro Systems and was a member of the […] — (Posted February 28, 2023)

Shirley A. Slinker Shirley A. Slinker, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Reid Health. Born January 10, 1936, in Indiana, to Harry and Alma Dirk Collins, Shirley was a resident of this community for 60 years. She was a cashier at the Drive In Fruit Market for over 30 years, and worked several […] — (Posted February 28, 2023)

Michael J. Lake Michael J. Lake, age 69, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born September 1, 1953, in Winchester, Indiana, to Samuel and Betty Riley Lake, Michael was a life-long resident of this area. He worked as a welder at several factories. Michael loved fishing, bowling, and was an avid […] — (Posted February 28, 2023)