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. You can also learn about how to place a paid obituary in the Western Wayne News.
JoAnn Ely Walters RICHMOND, IN– JoAnn Ely Walters, age 90, of Centerville, Indiana, died Saturday, January 13, 2024, at home. Born June 1, 1933, in Pennington Gap, Virginia, to Andrew Jackson and Lucy Emily Garrett Ely, JoAnn lived most of her life in this community. She was a member of Ravina Park Baptist Church. JoAnn worked as a […] — (Posted January 15, 2024)
Mary L. Wiley Mary L. Wiley, 89, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on January 14, 2024. She was born April 4, 1934 in Florence, Alabama. View full obituary — (Posted January 15, 2024)
James Lee Hedrick James Lee Hedrick, 83, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Majestic Care in Connersville. The only child of H. Lee and Mina C. Ayers Hedrick, Jim was born in Connersville, Indiana on May 16, 1940 and graduated from Connersville High School. Jim served his community as a police officer with the Connersville Police […] — (Posted January 15, 2024)
William F. Kidder Jr William F. Kidder Jr, locally known as Bill or “Doc”, passed away December 18, 2023. He grew up in Economy, graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1965, served in the Navy and; then returned to Wayne County. He will be greatly missed by his wife of twenty-two years, Nancy (Oler). His first wife, Linda (Ellis), […] — (Posted January 15, 2024)
Kenneth A. Ross Kenneth A. Ross, age 58, passed away at Reid Health on January 8, 2024. He was born May 25, 1965, the son of Larry and View full obituary — (Posted January 15, 2024)
Cynthia Ella Morton Cynthia Morton (Bentley), best known as Cindy, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2023, surrounded by loved ones in Madeira Beach, Florida. Born on April 5, 1966, in Columbus, Indiana, Cindy was the youngest child of William J. Bentley and Mona Jo Bentley (Cook). She was preceded in death by her father, mother and brother, […] — (Posted January 15, 2024)
Rosella Morris RICHMOND, Ind. – Rosella Morris, age 83, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Reid Health, surrounded by family. Born September 8, 1940, in Richmond, Kentucky, to Ramath and Susie Hamilton Tandy, Rosella had lived in this area most of her life. She took care of her family, was a very good cook, […] — (Posted January 14, 2024)
Murrell David Loveless Murrell David Loveless, 80, of New Castle passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. He was born April 14, 1943 in Science Hill, Kentucky to the late Ben and Margaret (Wood) Loveless. Murrell was the youngest of 6. He attended New Castle High School where he was the running back […] — (Posted January 13, 2024)
Cora Mae Hays RICHMOND, Ind. – Cora Mae Hays, age 93, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, January 12, 2024, at Reid Health. Born November 16, 1930, in Orlando, Kentucky, to John and Mary McCracken Bond, Cora had lived in Richmond since 1945. She was a homemaker and enjoyed working in her yard, (long past the age when she […] — (Posted January 13, 2024)
Ruth Mary Parks Ruth Mary Parks, age 80, of West Manchester, OH passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024 at the Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, OH.  She was born April 13, 1943 in Richmond, IN to the late Fritz and Edna Mae Hans.  She was a longtime member of the Wares Chapel United Methodist Church in West […] — (Posted January 13, 2024)
Michael L. Shelley Michael L. Shelley 72 of Richmond passed away on January 11, 2024; he was born on April 19, 1951, in Richmond to Luther Jr. and View full obituary — (Posted January 13, 2024)
Carla R. Shuemak Obituary pending View full obituary — (Posted January 12, 2024)
Lloyd Levi Obituary pending View full obituary — (Posted January 12, 2024)
David John Hermenet David John Hermenet, a man of joy and kindness, left us on January 9, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and faith. He was a remarkable husband to Jill and a devoted father to Jordan, his unwavering love for them defining his character. David life was a testament to his deep Christian faith, evident […] — (Posted January 12, 2024)
Virginia Anna Miller Virginia Anna Miller 91 of Richmond passed away on January 10, 2024, at the Springs of Richmond after a short illness. She was born May View full obituary — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Rex Keesling      Rex D. Keesling, 78, went to meet his Savior, Lord and God on January 10, 2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m. He was with his beloved wife of 59½ years, Pam, doing what he loved, feeding his animals on his little farm.    “He was the best man I ever knew. He loved his God, […] — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Tracy Lynn Ihrig   Tracy Lynn Ihrig, age 42 of Hamilton, OH passed away on January 7, 2024. She was born March 27, 1981 in Oxford, OH daughter of George Ihrig and Linda (Channell) Greye. She attended Talawanda Schools in which she was in the choir, band, and cheerleading. When she was younger she enjoyed showing in 4h at […] — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Jeremy Sams Jeremy Allen Sams, age 46, of Connersville passed away at Reid Hospital in Richmond on January 8, 2024. Jeremy was born on April 30, 1977 View full obituary — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Ruth Williams Ruth Williams, age 92, of Eaton, died Wednesday afternoon, December 27, 2023, at Hospice of Dayton. Ruth retired from The Register-Herald in Eaton after 60 years.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, James.   Survived by one sister, Nellie Fudge of Eaton; two sons, Joe Williams and Steve (Candy) Williams both […] — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Charles Dufour, Jr. Charles Wesley Dufour 57, of Connersville, formally from St. Petersburg, Florida, completed his artful journey here and started anew in the peace and solitude of View full obituary — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Sharon Sue (Slettvet) Thompson Sharon Sue (Slettvet) Thompson, 67, of New Castle, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at Henry Community Health. She was born April 24, 1956 in New Castle to the late Archie and Thelma Irene (Smith) Slettvet. Sharon enjoyed playing volleyball in her younger years and was a huge Andy Griffith fan. She enjoyed being […] — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Robert Turner Obituary pending View full obituary — (Posted January 11, 2024)
Randy G Selby Randy G Selby, age 79, of Connersville, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. — (Posted January 10, 2024)
Robert Bledsoe A Celebration of life will be held at a later date. View full obituary — (Posted January 10, 2024)
Larry J Estridge Larry J. Estridge went home with the Lord on January 8, 2024, at Heritage House of Connersville, at the age of 74. Larry was the View full obituary — (Posted January 10, 2024)
Ernest Leroy Swoveland Ernest Leroy Swoveland, passed away January, 9, 2024 at his residence. He was born August 2, 1929 in Stoney Creek Township, Indiana, a son of the late Walter and Gladys (Brown) Swoveland. Ernest was a lifelong farmer, resident of rural Henry County and member of the Buck Creek Church of the Brethren. He was Past […] — (Posted January 10, 2024)
Janice Shute       Janice I. Shute, 90, of Williamsburg, passed away on Monday evening, January 8, with family at her side.     She was born on July 2, 1933 in Richmond, Indiana to Leslie M. and Pearl Coffman Shute. She was raised in Williamsburg, where she participated in Girl Scouts, 4-H, and attended Williamsburg High School. […] — (Posted January 10, 2024)
Michael Pryor Michael Pryor,51, of New Castle passed away Monday January 8, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born September 8, 1972 in Muncie, Indiana to Gene Pryor and Toni Loser. Michael was a contractor most of his life. That was his passion and he loved turning something old into something beautiful. He also worked for […] — (Posted January 10, 2024)
Ralph G. Tharp GREENS FORK, IN– Ralph G. Tharp, age 75, of Greens Fork, Indiana, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Born October 8, 1948, in Union City, Indiana, to Raymond and Glenda Mann Tharp, Ralph lived most of his life in Greens Fork. He was a 1966 graduate of Whitewater High School and was a longtime employee of […] — (Posted January 10, 2024)
Stephen Elijah Pennington Stephen Elijah Pennington was called home on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. He was born in Richmond, IN on January 30, 1955 to Alice Pauline (Miller) and Elijah Houston Pennington. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1973 and went on to work for PRC Recording, Design & Manufacturing, Absocold and Johnson Metal Products. Steve was […] — (Posted January 10, 2024)