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 “Elizabeth” Jane Seasongood Betty “Elizabeth” Jane Seasongood, 93, of Connersville passed away Thursday evening, January 12, 2023 at Walker Place, Shelbyville. Betty was born November 20, 1929 in Aurora, Indiana to Clarence William Rumsey and Della Brown Rumsey and was one of six children. She graduated in 1947 from Manchester High School. Following her graduation from high school, […] — (Posted January 17, 2023)

Paula Parker Paula Parker, age 74, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2022 at IU Health Ball Hospital, Muncie following a brief illness. She was born in New Castle on April 5, 1948 to Clarence and Thelma Parker and grew up in the country side of Modoc. Paula graduated from Union School in 1966. After high school she […] — (Posted January 17, 2023)

Melvin W. “Tom” Tompkins Melvin W. “Tom” Tompkins, 85, of New Castle, passed away on January 15, 2023, at IU Ball Memorial. He was born on March 5, 1937 in New Castle, the son of the late Cullom and Vernice (Bittner) Tompkins. Tom graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He retired from Modernfold. […] — (Posted January 17, 2023)

Catherine E. Norris Mrs. Catherine E. Norris, 92, of Richmond, passed away on Thursday, January 12. She was born in Connersville, Indiana on July 20, 1930 to Edward H. and Louise M. Roell Herrmann. Mrs. Norris formerly worked at Wayne Dairy. She later went to work at Alcoa, from where she retired after more than 35 years of […] — (Posted January 15, 2023)

Stanley “Slimlee” Stover Stanley “Slimlee” Stover, age 50, of Richmond, died Friday, January 13, 2023, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born on April 4, 1972, in Richmond and lived here all his life. He worked as a General Manager at Bob Evans Restaurant in Richmond. He enjoyed automobiles and was an avid gamer. As […] — (Posted January 15, 2023)

Violet Mae Smith Mrs. Violet Mae Smith, 95, of Richmond, passed away on Wednesday, January 11. She was born on January 26, 1927 in Richmond, Indiana to Ershal M. & Edythe L. Wycoff Melling. She was a 1945 graduate of Whitewater High School. Violet married Frank R. Smith on March 19, 1946. They were blessed with two children […] — (Posted January 15, 2023)

Michael Lee Smith Michael Lee Smith, 73, of New Castle passed away Thursday, January 12, 2023 at his residence. He was born on July 3, 1949 in New Castle a son of the late Walter and Vera (Moses) Smith. Mike was a painter by trade and owned his own painting business, Mike’s painting. He had a passion for […] — (Posted January 15, 2023)

Jeffrey Dean “Jeff” Smith Jeffrey Dean “Jeff” Smith, 61, of Richmond, Indiana passed away Thursday January 5th 2023, with family by his side. He was born December 29, 1961, to Rev. Richard and Judy Smith in Richmond, Indiana. He was an active member of Alliance Bible Church for many years. He loved to attend BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). He was […] — (Posted January 15, 2023)

Frances M. Alford Frances M. Alford, 55, of New Castle passed away Tuesday January 10, 2023. She was born on January 9, 1968, in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. A visitation for Frances will be on Monday January 16, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service New Castle. Memorial contributions for Frances can be made to […] — (Posted January 15, 2023)

Diana Kay Sexton Diana Kay Sexton, 58, of Richmond, died Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Reid Health. Kay was born in Richmond on August 21, 1964 to Stanley and Martha Cook and was a life long resident of Wayne County. She was a graduate of Hagerstown High School. Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Brett “Butch” Sexton; […] — (Posted January 15, 2023)

Alissa Eileen Ponder Alissa Eileen Ponder passed away at her home on January 9th, 2023. She was born on September 13th, 1978 in Winchester, IN to her parents, Roland and Deborah Buckley. Alissa graduated with honors from Richmond High School and went on to have her two sons, Malaki and Zach, whom she absolutely adored. She loved to […] — (Posted January 13, 2023)

Della Marion Sponsel Della Marion Sponsel, age 83, of Richmond, Indiana, was called home Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Reid Health surrounded by family. Born October 13, 1939, in Woodbridge, Pennsylvania, to William Charles and Mildred O’Neil Provance, Della had lived in Richmond since 1959. She worked as a secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church for 40 years. Della […] — (Posted January 13, 2023)

Martha Diane Hayes Martha Diane Hayes, age 78, passed away peacefully in her home on January 10, 2023. She was born in 1944 in Auburn, Indiana to Richard and Mary Louise Scott. Martha went on to attend Purdue University and marry her high school sweetheart, Michael Hayes. The two were married until the time of his death, 49 […] — (Posted January 13, 2023)

Douglas Collier Hunt Douglas Collier Hunt, 71, of Connersville, passed away on December 21, 2022, at Reid Memorial in Richmond, IN. He was born on June 13, 1951 in New Castle, IN, the son of Wilbur and Ann Collier Hunt. Doug was a 1969 graduate of Lincoln High School. He married Vicki Powell on October 18, 1969 and […] — (Posted January 13, 2023)

David Stanley Reid David Stanley Reid, age 74, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at The Springs. Born August 4, 1948, in Richmond, Indiana, to Myron and Beatrice Boldrey Reid, David was a life-long resident of Richmond. He worked as a cabinetmaker at MasterBrand Cabinets. David enjoyed woodworking, attending car shows, working jigsaw puzzles, and watching […] — (Posted January 12, 2023)

Rhonda (Slagle) Didley Rhonda (Slagle) Didley, age 62, of New Castle, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at her home. She was born April 21, 1960, in New Castle, Indiana to the late Caleb & Edith (Morgan) Slagle. Rhonda graduated from Walter P. Chrysler Memorial High School in 1978. She was a HUGE Indianapolis Colts fan. She […] — (Posted January 12, 2023)

Palmer Lorne McHenry Palmer Lorne McHenry, age 11 days, of Connersville, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Connersville. — (Posted January 12, 2023)

Loretta J. Gula It is with great sadness that we announce that Loretta J. Gula of Richmond, IN passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at her home. The daughter of the late Mary Gula Pietrzak and the late Walter Gula, she was born May 15, 1946, in Bronx, New York. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from St. […] — (Posted January 12, 2023)

Robert Arthur Kraay Robert Arthur Kraay, 83, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday morning, January 11, 2023 at Reid Health, Richmond. He was born December 14, 1939 in Monticello, Indiana to Robert Edward and Alice M. Hicks Kraay and was a 1958 graduate of Monticello High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served […] — (Posted January 12, 2023)

Rita Joan Buckler Rita Joan Buckler, 71, formerly of Connersville, passed away Monday, January 9, 2023 at The Gathering Together, a hospice facility, in Plainfield, Indiana. She was born January 14, 1951 in Batesville, Indiana to Jerome A. and Helen M. Schrank Buckler and was a 1969 graduate of Connersville High School. For 35 years, Rita worked as […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Martha Jan Morrow Martha Jan Morrow, 72, of Connersville passed away Monday, January 9, 2023 at Reid Health, Richmond. A daughter of Paul and Evelyn Evejean Jenkins Trusty, Martha was born in Petersburg, Indiana on June 22, 1950 and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1968. For many years, she was employed at Visteon in […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Rodney Kenneth McGuire Rodney Kenneth McGuire, 74, of Connersville, passed away early Sunday morning, January 8, 2023 at Reid Health of Richmond. He had been in failing health for the past two years. A lifelong resident of Connersville, Rodney was born December 8, 1948, the younger of two sons of Leonard and Maxine May McGuire. He was a […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Jan Ellyn (Rawlings) Whealy Jan Ellyn (Rawlings) Whealy, 83, of Losantville, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at Reid Health, Richmond, with family by her side. She was born on July 29, 1939 to James and Edna Mae (Hawk) Rawlings. Jan graduated from Union High School in 1957 and started her job at Perfect Circle in Hagerstown shortly […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Debra Sue Carr Debra Sue Carr, 69 of Richmond Indiana passed unexpectedly on January 3rd, 2023. She was born on February 9th, 1953 in Richmond Indiana to Clarence and Emma Black Carr and lived here all her life. She is survived by her son Eric Carr, granddaughters Aliya Kemp and Madelyn Carr, Brother Clarence Carr Jr and many […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Kasey Nicole Malone Kasey Nicole Malone, passed away at Reid Health on January 4th, 2023. She was born July 21, 1981, in Springfield, Ohio, to Angela Bryant and Kevin Malone. Kasey was a 2000 graduate of Hillsboro High School. She had worked at various jobs entertaining the life of adventure. Kasey treasured music, books, family and friendships. She […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Peg (Schafer) Cobine Peg (Schafer) Cobine, born on December 28, 1925, died on January 9, 2023, at age 97. As her soul was forming in this life, Peg kept a good spirit about her, as well as a quiet intelligence, that showed in her religion, her vocation, and her relations. At an early age, Peg discovered the importance […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Jean Ann Hill Jean Ann Hill, 71, a resident of New Castle, formerly of Knightstown passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 in her home. She was born September 13, 1951 in Marion County to the late Marvin and Barbara (Sheffield) Hill. Jean Ann worked for the city of New Castle as a mayor’s assistant for several years. She […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Nancy Runion Nancy Runion, 75, of Mooreland passed away Tuesday January 3, 2023 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. She was born on July 27, 1947 in Monticello, KY to the late Arnold and Ollie (Dabney) Dick. Nancy’s life revolved around her family. She made sure she attended all the grand kids sporting events, enjoying every moment. […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Phyllis Ann Werking Phyllis Ann Werking, 91, of Straughn passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at her residence. She was born August 8, 1931 in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of the late Garlie E and Lula O. (Gulley) Smith. Phyllis had been employed at New Castle Clinic where she worked in the billing department. She was an […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)

Mark Brown Mark Brown, of Richmond, Indiana passed away at AMG Specialty Hospital in Greenfield, IN on January 9, 2023. He was born on December1, 1969 in Winchester, Indiana to Debra Claire. Mark was a painter by trade. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren as well as music and rebuilding scooters. Mark enjoyed spending […] — (Posted January 11, 2023)