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.

Carolyn Nicholson Mrs. Carolyn Nicholson, 91, of Fountain City, passed away on Saturday, November 26. Born on August 29, 1931 in Richmond, Indiana, she was the daughter of Thomas Edgar & Ada Irene Smith Short. She was a 1949 graduate of Hollansburg High School, where she was on the cheerleading squad for 2 years. She married Mack […] — (Posted November 28, 2022)

Pauline Ruth Whitaker Fields Pauline Ruth Whitaker Fields, 101, passed away on November 25, 2022 at Arbor Trace in Richmond, IN. Pauline was born April 20, 1921 to Oscar and Zona Whitaker in Acorn, KY, the oldest of 10 siblings. She spent most of her childhood in the Southport, IN area. She met Thomas Field in Indianapolis and was […] — (Posted November 28, 2022)

Effie Charlene (Raines) Edwards “Maw” Effie Charlene (Raines) Edwards “Maw”, 82, of New Castle, IN went home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2022 at The Waters of New Castle. Charlene, known to many as Maw, spent her life serving others. She worked at Jerry’s for many years, and in those years she helped and held a place […] — (Posted November 28, 2022)

Steven J. Fisher Steven J. Fisher, 81, long time resident of the Cambridge City area passed away Friday November 25, 2022 at Heritage House Nursing Home in Connersville, Indiana. Steve or “Dark Eyes” as a lot of people knew him, led a long and colorful life and will be missed by friends and family. He was born in […] — (Posted November 28, 2022)

Richard Morton Ellis Richard Morton Ellis, 86, of Hagerstown, died Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Ambassador Health Care, Centerville, where he had recently resided. He was born in Martinsville on September 21, 1936 to Robert and Ruth (Dale) Ellis, and lived most of his life in the Hagerstown area. He was a retired employee of Perfect Circle / […] — (Posted November 28, 2022)

Betty “BJ” Reitan Betty “BJ” Reitan, age 71, passed away on November 26, 2022, at Heritage House of New Castle. She was born September 6, 1951, the daughter of Clarence and Mary Keller, in Richmond, Indiana. Betty was a graduate of Randolph Southern High School, and had been employed at convenience stores in a Management position. She loved […] — (Posted November 28, 2022)

William O. Rogers William O. Rogers was born May 23, 1934 to Will Lyles and Beddie Rogers in Fulton, Mississippi. At the age of 18, he relocated to Richmond, Indiana. He met the beautiful Juanita Jett and they were reunited in Holy Matrimony on June 14, 1954 at the Rose Garden in Richmond. William was employed by Dana […] — (Posted November 28, 2022)

Kathy S Mullins Kathy S Mullins, age 63, a long-time resident of Connersville, passed away on November 22, 2022, at Reid Hospital in Richmond Indiana. Kathy was born on August 15, 1959, in Connersville, the daughter of the late Harmon and Mary Mullins. Kathy was a waitress at Parkview Restaurant in Connersville for over 22 years. Her favorite part […] — (Posted November 27, 2022)

Barbara Sha Cox Barbara Sha Cox, 86, of Richmond, died unexpectedly Friday, November 25, 2022, at her home. she was born August 3, 1936, in New Castle to Herbert and Gertrude Anderson. She retired as a Registered Nurse. Survivors include her husband of 64 years Dan Cox, two children Lisa Sha (Troy) Forkner and Todd Alan Cox, and […] — (Posted November 27, 2022)

John W. Seal John W. Seal, 75, of Richmond, passed away November 23, 2022, at his home after a long illness. He was born February 15, 1947 in Richmond to James Ray and Grace Elizabeth O’Conner Seal and lived here all of his life. He worked as a sandblaster for Richmond Block. He attended the First Southern Missionary […] — (Posted November 27, 2022)

Ora Kathryn “Katie” Reed Ora Kathryn “Katie” Reed, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Reid Health. Born June 17, 1930, in Richmond, Indiana, to John and Dorothy Torbet Adkins, Katie was a life-long resident of Richmond. She worked many places in Richmond, including Atlas Underwear Company, the Pro Shop at Stone Valley Golf Course, […] — (Posted November 27, 2022)

Margaret Danielle White Margaret Danielle White, age 25, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, November 24, 2022, at her home. Born May 9, 1997, in Richmond, Indiana, to William and Jessica White Knight, Dani was a life-long resident of this area. She loved to sing and do TikTok videos. Dani also enjoyed writing and drawing portraits. Survivors include her […] — (Posted November 27, 2022)

Joe Vernon Cox Joe Vernon Cox, age 83, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2022, at his home. He was born on the family farm in Carlos, Indiana on June 9, 1939, to Charles Edgar & Bertha Cox. He graduated from Economy High School, Economy, Indiana. Joe loved all kinds of sports, especially baseball. His father […] — (Posted November 25, 2022)

Marilyn Marie Kelley Marilyn Marie Kelley, age 90, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Reid Health. Born February 20, 1932, in Abington, Indiana, to Waldo Wadsworth and Ruby Wissler Wadsworth, Marilyn was a life-long resident of this area. She was a postal worker for the United States Postal Service in Boston, Indiana for 28 years. […] — (Posted November 25, 2022)

Donna G. Abrams Hoskins Donna G. Abrams Hoskins, age 70, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at The Springs of Richmond. Born October 6, 1952, in Richmond, Indiana, to Emery and Velma Hale Abrams, Donna was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a 1970 graduate of Richmond High School. Donna worked in retail most of her […] — (Posted November 25, 2022)

Phyllis Ann Davison Tinch Phyllis Ann Davison Tinch, 90, of Connersville passed away Wednesday evening November 16, 2022 in McKinney, Texas where she had been residing with her family. She was born February 5, 1932 in Franklin County, Indiana, one of four children of Lewis and Frances Speer Davison and was a 1950 graduate of New Salem High School. […] — (Posted November 23, 2022)

Betty Jean Perdue Betty Jean Perdue, 82, of New Castle, died Monday, November 21, 2022, at The Waters of New Castle. She was born on August 27, 1940, in Monticello, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Addie and Maymie (Coffee) Tuggle. Betty was of Baptist faith and had attended Whittier Lane Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church. She […] — (Posted November 23, 2022)

Carolyn Sue Sorrell Carolyn Sue Sorrell, age 82, a resident of New Castle, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2022, at her residence. She was born March 30, 1940, in New Castle, a daughter of the late Lloyd & Hyacinth (Cain) Kern. Carolyn married the love of her life Millard “Bart” Sorrell in 1958 and enjoyed several years of […] — (Posted November 22, 2022)

Loren L. Davis Loren L. Davis, 70, of Brownsville, passed away on November 18, 2022. Loren was born on April 9, 1952 in Richmond, IN to Jim and Patricia Welch Davis. Loren graduated from Short High School in Union County with the class of 1971. After graduation, he lived in Union County most of his life. Loren was […] — (Posted November 22, 2022)

William J. “Bill” Potts William J. “Bill” Potts, 58, of New Castle passed away Saturday, November 19, 2022 at his residence. He was born February 22, 1964 in Muncie, Indiana, a son of Harry and Beverly (Riley) Potts. He served with the U.S. Marine Corp in Cherry Point, North Carolina as a missile technician until becoming disabled. Bill worked […] — (Posted November 22, 2022)

Jerry D. Kemp Jerry D. Kemp, age 78, of New Paris, passed away on Monday morning, November 14. Jerry was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas on June 26, 1944 to Earnest Willard Kemp and Dolly Lorene Kemp Neuman. Jerry formerly worked as a machinist at Richmond Gear. He later owned a Thom McAn Shoes franchise before starting his […] — (Posted November 22, 2022)

James “Dave” Coffman James “Dave” Coffman, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, November 19, 2022, at home surrounded by family. Born June 28, 1951, in Liberty, Kentucky, to Edward and Verna McFarland Coffman, Dave was a life-long resident of Ohio and Indiana. He was an electrical maintenance technician for Square D for 36 years before retiring. Dave […] — (Posted November 22, 2022)

Frona L. Ellington Frona L. Ellington, age 86, passed away at Reid Health on November 16, 2022. She was born July 1, 1936, the daughter of Harry and Ida Christy, in Richmond, Indiana. At her request, there are no public services. Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Send online condolences to www.communityfamilyfh.com — (Posted November 21, 2022)

Melvin L. Belt Melvin L. Belt, aged 75, of Hagerstown, Indiana and formerly of Mercer, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home with family on October 19, 2022. Melvin was born on July 20, 1947, to Philip and Carol Belt ( Beeson ) in Henry County, Indiana. A graduate of Hagerstown High School, Class of 1965, he entered military […] — (Posted November 20, 2022)

Sylvia L. Veal Sylvia L. Veal, age 87, of Richmond, died Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at majestic Care in Connersville. She was born May 3, 1935, in Richmond to Elbert Ott and Lena Robinett Harkleroad and lived here all her life. She worked as a Home Health Caregiver. Survivors include her daughter Darlena Rankin, two grandchildren Ragina Cole […] — (Posted November 19, 2022)

Lila Adele Carr Connersville native, Lila Adele Carr, 87, died Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 at Reid Health in Richmond. She was born May 18th, 1935 to Clayton and Vivian Osborn Berninger. Lila is survived by her son: David V. Carr; granddaughter: Makenzie R. Carr; great-granddaughter: Addilyn. At Lila’s request, services will be conducted at the convenience of her […] — (Posted November 19, 2022)

John W. Clugston John W. Clugston, age 73, of Cromwell, Indiana passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. He was born August 17, 1949, the son of Walter S. Clugston Jr. and Catherine E. DeVaughn Clugston,in New Castle, Indiana. On April 13, 1991 he married Althea Reier. John honorably served his country […] — (Posted November 19, 2022)

Shirley E. Clay Shirley E. Clay, 73, of Centerville, died Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Reid Health. She was born March 16, 1949 in Modoc to Harry H and Lodocia Shelton Abernathy. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband of 55 years Danny, her daughter Shelley (Tony) DeLucio, two grandsons Kristopher Cytrynowicz, and Gunnar (Renee Rednour) DeLucio, […] — (Posted November 19, 2022)

Mary Elizabeth Cole Mary Elizabeth Cole was born to Fred Cole Sr.and Ethel McCuddy Cole Whirley on April 12, 1942. She passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Reid Health in the care of Hospice. She was a 1961 graduate of Richmond High School. Mary sold Avon products for 50 years and held several other jobs throughout her […] — (Posted November 19, 2022)

Norman E. Leach Connersville native, Norman E. Leach, 84, passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at Reid Health in Richmond. Norman was born to Newton L. and Margaret F. Best Leach on August 20, 1938. He attended Connersville Senior High graduating with the class of 1956. Norman married the former Carolyn L. Lyons on June 25, 1960 […] — (Posted November 19, 2022)