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.

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)

Donald James Callahan Donald James Callahan, 86, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, November 17, 2022 at his home. He was born January 31, 1936 in Salem, Indiana, the youngest of six children of Estil and Grace Dalton Callahan. He moved to Connersville when he was six years old and graduated from Connersville High […] — (Posted November 18, 2022)

Oma Mae Batchelor Oma Mae Batchelor, 100, of Richmond, passed away November 18, 2022 at her home after a long illness. She was born January 17, 1922 in New Haven, West Virginia to Winfield and Rosetta Weaver Roush and lived in Richmond most of her life. She worked for AVCO and the Richmond Community Schools. Oma is survived […] — (Posted November 18, 2022)

Willard H. Newman Willard H. Newman, 98, of Economy, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. He was born in Williamsburg on August 17, 1924 to John and Maude (Tharp) Newman and was a life-long Wayne County resident. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. A dairy farmer for more than […] — (Posted November 18, 2022)

Bettye Guffee Wells Bettye Guffee Wells, age 79 of Lenoir City, TN passed away suddenly Thursday, November 17, 2022. She was of the Baptist faith. Bettye was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She worked for many years for the City of Lenoir City, TN. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and several other ladies […] — (Posted November 18, 2022)

William Allen Baumer William Allen Baumer, age 81, of Richmond, Indiana passed away November 11, 2022 surrounded by family. Bill was born August 11, 1941 to Charles and Leota (Austerman) Baumer in Wayne Co Indiana. Bill graduated in 1960 from Richmond High School and married Eileen Kurtz, July 1, 1961. Aside from being a lending officer at Second […] — (Posted November 18, 2022)

Virginia Nell Latham Virginia Nell Latham, 84, of New Castle passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2022. She was born June 11, 1958 in Kentucky, a daughter of the late Lindel and Ola Mae (Fox) Hight. She worked at the US Postal Service for 35 years, starting as a mail carrier then promoted to the office. Virginia loved caring […] — (Posted November 18, 2022)

Rachel L. Hurd Rachel L. Hurd, 55 of Richmond, Indiana passed away on November 11, 2022, after an extended illness. She was born on April 5, 1967, in Richmond, Indiana to Richard and Mary M. Cordell. She is survived by her husband Terry Hurd; sons Thomas Cordell, Kareem Hurd and Terry Johnson; Father Richard Cordell; sisters Mary Cordell […] — (Posted November 18, 2022)

Stevie V. Butcher Stevie V. Butcher, age 65, passed away at his residence in Connersville, on November 14, 2022. He was born on September 27, 1957, in Chillicothe OH, the son of Nancy Darling Butcher and the late Charles V. Butcher. For over 25 years he had worked at the Big Lots Warehouse in Columbus, OH. Stevie enjoyed […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Karen S. Proffitt Karen S. Proffitt, age 61, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022, at Kettering Health Hospital, following a long battle with her diabetes. She was born June 4th, 1961, to the late Jacqueline and LV Proffitt. Karen was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, whom you could usually find outside in her big, beautiful […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

Eric S. Cornett Eric S. Cornett, age 50, of Connersville, passed away unexpectedly on November 16, 2022, at Pikeville Medical Center in Pikeville, Ky. He was born in Connersville on March 23, 1972, the son of Ernie Cornett and the late Donna Chandler Cornett. On November 1, 2004, in Connersville, he married the former Karen Plough. They enjoyed […] — (Posted November 17, 2022)

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)