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.

Maurice Harold Cook II Maurice Harold Cook II, 71, a lifelong resident of New Castle, went to be with the Lord on Friday afternoon November 11, 2022. He passed away peacefully with his sisters at his side. Maurice was born in New Castle, Indiana on September 10, 1951 and was a 1970 graduate of Chrysler High School. Maurice was […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Robert “Fred” Kellam Robert “Fred” Kellam, 80, of New Castle, Indiana, formerly of Dublin, passed away at Henry County Memorial Hospital on Tuesday morning November 15th, 2022. Fred was born on August 12, 1942, to the late Calvin and Mary (Suveges) Kellam in Richmond, Indiana. Fred grew up on Foote Street in Cambridge City and graduated from Lincoln […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Michelle Hoff Loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Teacher and Dear Friend to so many, Michelle Hoff Lee, (72) died on November 9, 2022. Born and raised in Richmond, Ind., she was the daughter of HoffCo, Inc. co-founder, Stephen J. Hoff and his wife Nancy Duning Hoff, a sister to Michael Hoff and Stephanie Bottine. Her face lit up […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Kenneth E. Powell Kenneth E. Powell, 59, of Richmond, passed away unexpectedly on November 14, 2022. He was born October 10, 1963, in Richmond, Kentucky to William and Gertrude Cruse Powell and lived here all of his life. He worked for Mosey Manufacturing and AVI Vending. Kenneth was a member of the Greens Fork Pentecostal Holiness Church. He […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Buford A. “Buck” Benge Mr. Buford A. “Buck” Benge, 75, of Lynn, passed away on Sunday morning, November 13. He was born in Franklin County, Indiana on July 27, 1947, the son of Buford F. & Alice W. Renyer Benge. He was united in marriage to the former Judith McKinley on a cold beautiful Saturday afternoon, October 18, 1969. […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Steven E. Hegg Steven E. Hegg, age 66, passed away at his residence on November 9, 2022. He was born February 14, 1956, the son of George and Frances Hegg, in Richmond, Indiana. Steven was a resident of Richmond, Indiana, and was a graduate of Richmond Community Schools. He was a member of The Church of God in […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Deborah Kay Schneider Deborah Kay Schneider, 66, of Lewisville passed peacefully at home on Monday November 14, 2022. Debbie was born on January 17, 1956, in Hamilton, Ohio to the late Donald and Ruth (Warlow) Decker. She was a devoted wife; homemaker and her children and grandchildren were the love of her life! In her spare time, she enjoyed writing […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Esther Allen Esther Allen, 101, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord Monday, November 14, 2022 at Heritage House of Connersville. She was born August 10, 1921 in Owsley County, Kentucky, one of thirteen children of David “Capp” and Nollie Sizemore Saylor. For many years, Esther worked at Visteon until her retirement in 1983. She […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Nicholas F. Lakes Nicholas F. Lakes, beloved father, son, and brother, unexpectedly died on November 12th, 2022, from a fatal gunshot wound. He was 33 years old. Nick is survived by his parents Clif Jr. and Becky Lakes, daughters Blaklee and Bexlee, sister Katelyn (David), and one niece, Eleanor. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Clifford […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Glenn Aubrey Brock Glenn Aubrey Brock, 96, of Connersville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday evening, November 15, 2022. He had been in failing health for the past five years. He was born January 28, 1926 in Fariston, Laurel County, Kentucky, one of sixteen children of George and Rebecca McFadden Brock. On January 27, […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Donald Eugene Moore Donald Eugene Moore, 83, of Knightstown passed away Monday, November 14, 2022 at his residence. He was born March 13, 1939 in Milton the son of Albert and Dorothy (Stevens) Moore. Donald was a 1958 graduate of Knightstown High School and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the Knightstown […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Charles Noel Black, Jr. Charles Noel Black, Jr., 59, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at his residence, following a brief illness. He was born March 16, 1963 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of Charles and Frances Ann (Cahue) Black. He was a 1981 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School. He was a 25 […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Shirley Jean Bilbrey-Marlow Shirley Jean Bilbrey-Marlow, 37, of New Castle passed away Saturday, November 12, 2022 at her residence as a result of a house fire. She was born June 19, 1985 in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of James and Rebecca (West) Bilbrey. Shirley enjoyed arts & crafts, painting, working in the yard and feeding the birds. […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Carl Seckman Carl Seckman, 69, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at his home. He was born October 11, 1953 to Carl Columbus Seckman, Sr. and Eunice Venable Day. Carl lived in the Deerfield/Ravenna, Ohio area until moving to Connersville in 1986. On October 24, 1987, he married Debra Sigler […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

James Harold Francis Holbrook James Harold Francis Holbrook, 41, formerly of Connersville, passed away unexpectedly from a sudden cardiac event Monday, November 14, 2022. Jimmy was born January 6, 1981 in Connersville, the son of James Harold and Maryann “Peach” O’Donnell Holbrook. He had attended St. Gabriel School and graduated with the Connersville High School class of 1999. Following […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Nancy Ann Rupe Harrison Nancy Ann Rupe Harrison, age 86, of Centerville, Indiana, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 29, 2022, in Richardson, Texas. Born November 26, 1935, in Fountain City, Indiana, in the Levi Coffin House, Nancy was the youngest of three children to Dow E. and Garnet Belts Rupe, she was a life-long resident of this area. Nancy […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Obadiah “Obie” John Rodgers Obadiah “Obie” John Rodgers, age 45, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, November 14, 2022, at his home. Born September 2, 1977, in Richmond, Indiana, to William John and Patricia Ann Delong Rodgers, Obie was a life-long resident of this area. He was a farmer. Obie was also an RN, receiving his bachelor’s degree at Indiana […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

David N. Christopher David N. Christopher, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, November 14, 2022, at Harbour Manor in Noblesville, Indiana. Born October 13, 1936, on his parent’s farm in Camden, Ohio, to Raymond and Rosella Dane Christopher, David was a life-long resident of this area. He worked rebuilding transmissions in this area for many years and […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Peggy (Allee) Frost Peggy (Allee) Frost, 88, of Greenwood, and former long-term resident of New Castle, died from chronic heart issues on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at Community South Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born on February 17, 1934 in Zenas, Jennings County, Indiana, Peggy was one of five children of the late Ford and Goldie (Strickland) Allee. […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Betty June Spalding Jackson Betty June Spalding Jackson, age 83, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 11, 2022. Born June 13, 1939, in Richmond, Indiana, to Carl and Gladys Spalding, Betty lived in Richmond for many years before moving to Muncie and later to Ft. Wayne. Survivors include her daughter, Jana (Ray) Melendez; two grandsons. […] — (Posted November 15, 2022)

Lillian Frances (Pomeroy) Bridenhager Lillian Frances (Pomeroy) Bridenhager, 92, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022. She was born on May 2, 1930, to Bessie and Deloyd Pomeroy in Cincinnati, Ohio. S he was the youngest of four, having older brothers. She graduated from Loveland High School as Valedictorian. She graduated from Franklin College in 1953 with a degree […] — (Posted November 15, 2022)

Donald Ray Wallen Donald Ray Wallen, 71, passed away peacefully at Brickyard Healthcare- Golden Rule in Richmond, Indiana, on Friday, November 11th, 2022. Donald was born on January 26th, 1951, to the late Frank Sanford and Ethel (Jones) Wallen. He was raised in Dublin and was a 1969 graduate of Straughn High School, he graduated from Ball State […] — (Posted November 15, 2022)

Reverend David William Caudle Reverend David William Caudle, 66, Gardner, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, KS (913) 856-7111. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com David was born in Richmond, Indiana on October 10, 1956, to Earl William and Katherine Ann (Dunn) Caudle. He grew up in Richmond. After […] — (Posted November 15, 2022)

Ellas Warren Ellas Warren, age 84, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Tuesday November 8th, 2022. He was born on December 22nd, 1937, in Owsley County, Kentucky. Ellas began his career as a Butcher for Anderson Meat Provisions in Clearwater, Florida. After moving North to Indiana, he worked for Wallace Metal, transferring to […] — (Posted November 15, 2022)

Douglas Lee Wilke Gentle, kind, and honest natured, Doug went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 10th after falling, resulting in a brain bleed. He was loved by all who met him. Doug had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. His passion besides his family was surfing, fishing, […] — (Posted November 15, 2022)

Julie Ann Steele Julie Ann Steele, 62, of Laurel, passed away Friday, November 11, 2022 at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. She was born September 16, 1960 in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of William and Myrtle Hoskins Wagers. A cook, Julie worked at Pavey’s Grocery in Metamora for a number of years. In her leisure, she enjoyed […] — (Posted November 15, 2022)

Julia Ann (Sharp) Belt Julia Ann (Sharp) Belt, aged 74, of Hagerstown, Indiana and formerly of Mercer, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home with family on November 11, 2022. Julia was born on September 19, 1948, to Robert and Dorothy (Ravencraft) Sharp in Wayne County, Indiana. A graduate of Hagerstown High School, Class of 1966, she attended Miami Jacobs […] — (Posted November 14, 2022)

Ruby Mae Landis Ruby Mae Landis, 93, of Richmond, Indiana died Friday, October 28, 2022 with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Daughter of Fred and Mabel Pitman Phelps, Ruby was born on April 24, 1929 in Waynesburg, Kentucky. She attended Waynesburg High School graduating with the class of 1947. Following graduation, Ruby married Walter O. Landis […] — (Posted November 14, 2022)

Betty Carol Ghearing Betty Carol Ghearing, 75, born to Beulah and Raymond Cruse of Richmond, Indiana, passed away November 9, 2022, in North Carolina where she had resided since 2019 with her grandson, daughter, and family. She became a retiree from Reid hospital in 2010, where she was a dedicated employee for 35 years. She was loved by […] — (Posted November 14, 2022)

Zachary LeGrand Retter It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that our Zachary LeGrand Retter, 51, has passed away of natural causes. He died peacefully in his home on November 10, 2022 Best said by his older brother Scot, “Not enough words can describe what he meant to everyone. A great and caring son, brother, cousin, […] — (Posted November 14, 2022)