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.

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 October 21, 2022)

Carol Ruth Frye Carol Ruth Frye, 70, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday morning, October 19, 2022 at her home. She was born October 27, 1951 in Frankfort, Kentucky to Lowell Krammes, Jr. and Betty Fox Krammes. She was a 1969 graduate of Connersville High School. On January 1, 1971, she married John Frye in Connersville. Mr. Frye passed […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Barbara Ida Johnson Lakes Barbara Ida Johnson Lakes, 71, of Connersville, passed away Monday, October 17, 2022 at Reid Health in Richmond where she had been a patient for eight days. She was born November 9, 1950 in Brookville, Indiana, one of seven children of Robert Lee and Christine Long Johnson, and she was a graduate of Brookville High […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

James Scott Gibson James Scott Gibson, 58, of Connersville, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022 at I.U. Health – University Hospital where he had been a patient for one day. He had been in failing health, but his death was unexpected. He was born September 19, 1964 in Connersville, one of two children of James Lewis and Rena […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Esther Louise Ames Esther Louise Ames, 94, of Cambridge City, passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. She was born in New Castle on May 18, 1928 to Clyde and Geneva (Timmons) Barnard. On June 13, 1945, she married George W. Ames and they were married for 52 years before his passing on September 14, […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Sharon K. Sparks Sharon K. Sparks, age 73, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville. Born October 30, 1948, in Richmond, Indiana, to Robert and Dimple Johnson McClanahan, Sharon was a resident of this area most of her life. She loved watching movies and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Donald L. Flanigan Donald L. Flanigan, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at his home, surrounded by family. Born February 3, 1930, in Bridgeport, Illinois, to Amos Alfred and Garnet Athleyn Zehner Flanigan, Donald was a resident of this community for several years. He graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1947. Donald received his […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Robert Stephen “Steve” McKown Robert Stephen “Steve” McKown, 84, of New Castle, passed away on the morning of Thursday, October 20, 2022, at home. He was born on June 14, 1938, in New Castle, a son of the late Robert Earl and Thelma (Kendall) McKown. Steve was a 1956 graduate of New Castle High School and attended Tri-State University […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Paul Cordell Dickerson Paul Cordell Dickerson, 84, of New Castle passed away on the evening of Monday, October 17, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born on January 29, 1938 in Clinton County, KY, a son of the late James and Maggie (Malone) Dickerson Cordell moved with his family from Kentucky to New […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Cindy Kay Pope Cindy Kay Pope, 56, of Richmond died September 21, 2022 . She was born December 13, 1965, in Richmond to James Robert and Sandra Brewer Albertson and lived here most of her life She was a homemaker and loved her family. Survivors include her husband Larry, two children Duane Pope and Sarrah Pope, two sisters […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Matthew “Cheu” Ryan Baxter Matthew “Cheu” Ryan Baxter, 39, of New Castle passed away Monday, October 17, 2022. He was born July 7, 1983 in Richmond, IN, a son of Alan Baxter of Dry Ridge, KY and Linda (Blevins) Kurtz of New Castle. Known as the family clown, Matthew had a great sense of humor and was always able […] — (Posted October 21, 2022)

Patricia “Patty” Lou Bennett Patricia “Patty” Lou Bennett, age 85, of Connersville, went to be with Jesus on Monday, October 17, 2022 at Hickory Creek in Connersville. Patty was born on May 13, 1937 in Connersville, the daughter of the late Donald Strait and Lucille Stoehr Strait Hurley. On April 16, 1958, in Connersville, Patty married the love of […] — (Posted October 20, 2022)

Gary Lee Stacy Gary Lee Stacy, age 67, passed away on October 18, 2022, at his home. Gary was born on January 18, 1955, in Connersville, the son of the late William “Bill” Stacy, Jr. and Rosetta Collins Stacy. On April 22, 1980, in Jellico, TN, he married Evelyn I. Harrison Stacy. They spent 34 years together prior […] — (Posted October 20, 2022)

Shirley Ann Yeager Shirley Ann Yeager 83of Richmond went home to be with the Lord, on October 17, 2022, after a short illness. She was born January 21, 1939, in Richmond to Theodore and Susan Skaggs. She worked for Rosa’s office supply and owned Yeager’s Vac Shop. Shirley was a member of the Stone Valley Church. She is […] — (Posted October 20, 2022)

Joyce Lynn Hutchinson Joyce Lynn Hutchinson, 59, of New Castle passed away Monday October 17, 2022. Joyce was born on June 16, 1963 to the late Delbert and Verona Hutchinson. Joyce was a kind, caring and loving little sister, mother and grandmother. Joyce will be forever remembered by her family for her appreciation of all things brightly colored […] — (Posted October 20, 2022)

Stephen Dale Chesher Stephen Dale Chesher, 75, of Spiceland passed away Tuesday morning, October 18, 2022 at Henry Community Health. He was born October 30, 1946 in Henry County, Indiana, a son of the late Charles and Margaret (McCaslin) Chesher. A graduate of Spiceland Academy, Steve retired from Chrysler Corporation in New Castle after 33 years of service. […] — (Posted October 20, 2022)

Henry Terence “Terry” Day Henry Terence “Terry” Day, 66, of Connersville, Indiana, passed away Monday evening, October 17, 2022 at Reid Health, Connersville. He was born September 1, 1956 in Middletown, Indiana to Frank and Fern Boyd Day, and he was a 1974 graduate of Connersville High School. A talented renovator, Terry enjoyed rehabbing houses. He was also a […] — (Posted October 20, 2022)

Kimberly Sue Gardner Kimberly Sue Gardner, 60, passed away at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, on Saturday, October 15th, 2022. Kimberly was born on Christmas Eve 1961 in Richmond, Indiana, to the late Reid Frazier and Betty Lou (Crowder) Gardner. She was raised in Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School with the class of 1980. Formerly […] — (Posted October 18, 2022)

Patricia L. Marker Patricia L. Marker, age 72, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, October 16, 2022, at Heritage House of Richmond. Born July 1, 1950, in Millington, Tennessee, to Hubert L. and Folsom Jane Phillips Bunker, Pat had lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a 1968 graduate of Richmond High School. Pat worked at Reid […] — (Posted October 18, 2022)

Rodney J. Spurlock Rodney J. Spurlock, 64, of New Castle passed away Monday, October 17, 2022 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial in Muncie. He was born July 20, 1958 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late Ewell and Dixie (Neal) Spurlock. A self employed contractor, he built and remodeled many homes in the New Castle area. […] — (Posted October 18, 2022)

Debra S. Buckles Debra S. Buckles, 58 of Connersville passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022. She was born on May 15, 1964, in Connersville, to Herschel Hughes and Bonnie Clark Hughes. Debbie graduated from Connersville High School in 1982. On September 3, 1983, she married George Buckles in Connersville. They were able to spend 37 years together […] — (Posted October 18, 2022)

Paul C. Leeka Paul C. Leeka, 78, of Mt. Summit passed away Saturday, October 15, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. He was born January 28, 1944 in New Castle to the late Paul B. and Emma Jean (Smith) Leeka. Paul was a 1962 graduate of Hagerstown High School and married the love of his life, Ginger, […] — (Posted October 17, 2022)

Wilma J. Hunt Wilma J. Hunt, 83, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Waldron Health Care. She was born on March 13, 1939, in Connersville, the daughter of the late Raymond Dance and Pauline (Rowlett) Dance. She married Paul Hunt in 1956. Survivors include her children, Sherry Tucker […] — (Posted October 17, 2022)

Betty Athelene (Gephart) Harlan Betty Athelene (Gephart) Harlan, 95 of Liberty passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2022. She was born on February 18, 1927 in Preble County, Ohio at home in the Campbells Town area to Lester Gephart and Mildred Johnson Gephart. On January 10, 1948 she married Wayne C. Harlan at Four Mile church of the Brethern […] — (Posted October 17, 2022)

Janet Frieda (Taylor) Grubbs Janet Frieda (Taylor) Grubbs, age 87, a New Castle resident, passed away in her home Saturday, October 15, 2022. She was born October 16, 1934, in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of James B. and Marie (Derr) Taylor. Janet lived many places before settling down in New Castle. She had a very adventurous spirit and enjoyed […] — (Posted October 17, 2022)

Donald [Don] E. Hiatt Donald [Don] E. Hiatt 92 formerly of Liberty, Indiana passed away Wednesday October 12, 2022 at the Village Green in Greenville, Ohio. He was born on September 17, 1930 to the late Chester and Edna Ramey Hiatt in Richmond, Indiana. Don graduated in 1949 from Brownsville High School in Brownsville, Indiana. On October 1, 1950, […] — (Posted October 17, 2022)

Mary Lucille Cornelison Mary Lucille Cornelison, age 80, passed away at Reid Health on October 12, 2022. She was born September 25, 1942, the daughter of James and Julia Williams, in Richmond, Indiana. Mary also known as Lucy to many was a graduate of the Ivy Tech Nursing program and a member of the Marine Corps League, The […] — (Posted October 17, 2022)

George G. Ranck Mr. George G. Ranck passed away peacefully on Friday morning, September 30. He was born George G. Ranck, Jr. in Richmond, Indiana on December 2, 1928, the son of George G., Sr. and Inez Mary Swain Ranck. Mr. Ranck was a US Army veteran of the Korean War. He was an avid singer and piano […] — (Posted October 16, 2022)

Carolyn Sue Moore Mrs. Carolyn Sue Moore, 87, passed away on Friday, October 14 at Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville. Born on October 10, 1935 in Middleboro, Indiana, she was the daughter of Homer J. and Elizabeth “Libby” M. Clear Lacey. She was a 1953 graduate of Williamsburg High School and became the bride of Duane D. “D.D.” Moore […] — (Posted October 16, 2022)

Harley F. Farrar Harley F. Farrar, age 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 8, 2022 at Reid Hospital. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 3, 1938 to Jesse and Helen Stout Farrar. Harley served in the US Navy for over 14 years, stationed overseas in the Philippines where he met Mercedes Sagum. They were […] — (Posted October 15, 2022)