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.

John P. Pratt John P. Pratt, 68, of New Castle, passed away unexpectedly on Friday morning, September 23, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born on February 11, 1954 in Muncie, Indiana, a son of the late Gray and Marjorie (Gibson) Pratt. John attended New Castle Chrysler High School and on January 22, […] — (Posted September 25, 2022)

Nell Ruth Mathews Nell Ruth Mathews, 76, of New Madison, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the EverHeart Hospice Care Center in Greenville, Ohio. She was born on August 14, 1946, in Pikeville, Kentucky, to the late Watha Cline and Exie (Sesco) Kendrick. In addition to her parents, Nell was preceded in death by her […] — (Posted September 25, 2022)

Paul David “Nick” Nicholson Paul David Nicholson, commonly known as Nick, 69, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022, at Wayne Healthcare in Greenville. He was born on November 13, 1952, in Winchester, Indiana, to the late Claude and Vergie (Brown) Nicholson. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his siblings, Martha […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Leslie Slinker NEW PALESTINE – Leslie Slinker, age 101, of New Palestine, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022. Leslie was born June 16, 1921. After graduating from high school in Shelbyville, KY, he served in WWII from 1940-1945, where he earned the Purple Heart. He married Ila Mae Holtzclaw on June 14, 1947. He graduated from Canterbury […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Anh Nguyen Burelison CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Anh Nguyen Burelison, age 74, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Reid Health. Born May 6, 1948, in Saigon, Vietnam, Anh had lived in this community for 52 years. She was a homemaker and loved gardening, cooking, and spending time with friends. Survivors include grandsons, Mitchell (Macy) Burelison of […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Judy Ann Hofmann Connersville native, Judy Ann Hofmann, 75, died Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at her residence. Judy was born to Donald and Elsie Pope Hofmann on January 13, 1947. She attended Alquina High School, proudly graduating with the class of 1965. Judy married the love of her life Walter “Pete” Stalnaker II on Valentine’s day of 1987; […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

David Carl Sargent David Carl Sargent, 79, of Connersville, passed away Sunday morning, September 18, 2022 at his residence. He was born August 30, 1943 in Washington, Indiana, one of three children of Harold A. and Catherine L. Campbell Sargent. As a child, he moved to Connersville with his family, and he was a 1962 graduate of Connersville […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Newell J Jones Newell J Jones, 80, of Connersville, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2022 at Reid Health, Richmond. He was born July 16, 1942, in La Porte, Indiana, one of three children of Newell C. and Alice Stranen Jones. In 1948, he moved to Connersville with his family, and he graduated from Connersville High School in 1962. […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Rillie E. Neal, Sr. Rillie E. Neal, Sr., 89, of New Castle passed away Thursday morning, September 22, 2022 at Heritage House of New Castle. He was born May 14, 1933 in New Castle, Indiana to the late Estell and Rachel (Perdue) Neal. A1952 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, Rillie was a veteran of the US Army, serving […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Pamelia Louise “Penny” Hedrick Pamelia Louise “Penny” Hedrick, 74, of New Castle passed away Thursday evening, September 22, 2022 at her residence. She was born July 11, 1948 in Springfield, Ohio, a daughter of the late Harold and Dorothy Faye (Baynum) Steele. Penny was an avid Elvis fan and loved watching soap operas and listening to oldies music. Survivors […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Marion Lee “Clark” Clark Marion Lee Clark, “Clark”, age 86, passed away at Arbor Trace Family-first, Senior Living Facility on September 21, 2022. He was born on September 12, 1936, to James Hugh and Mary Generose (Mattingly) Clark in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He was the youngest of 9 children and spent his childhood in rural Kentucky during the depression era. […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Sandra “Sandy” Walker Johnson Sandra “Sandy” Walker Johnson, 73, of Richmond, Indiana passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, after a brief illness with her daughters by her side. One of eleven children, Sandy was born May 30, 1949, in Manchester, Ky, to Keen “Jr” Walker and Beatrice “Bea” Cotton Walker. At a young age, the family moved […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Jason D. Messer Jason D. Messer of Richmond died Sept. 20, 2022. He was born October 2, 1962, the son of James Messer and Beulah Moore, in Connersville, Indiana. When Jason was young he lived a short time in California and he came back to Connersville where his mother married his stepfather, Evan Osborn. He grew up on […] — (Posted September 23, 2022)

Clifton C. Steele Clifton C. Steele, age 83, of Connersville, passed away on September 18, 2022. Clifton was born on December 24, 1938, in McKee, Kentucky, one of six children of the late Luther and Pearl Hughes Steele. He was united in marriage to Dena Carol Johnson Steele in Jackson County, Kentucky on December 19, 1957. They were […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

Jerry Duane Beck RICHMOND, Ind. – Jerry Duane Beck, age 85, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Reid Health. Born July 14, 1937, in Connersville, Indiana, to Jairus Eugene “Punk” and Senora Jean (Worster) Beck, Jerry was a resident of this community most of his life. He worked as a machine repairman for Dana Corporation […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

Dell M. Stevenson RICHMOND, Ind. – Dell M. Stevenson, age 74, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born January 12, 1948, in Newport News, Virginia, to William H. and Fay D. Freeman, Dell was a resident of this community since 1986, coming from Massachusetts. She was a high school graduate and […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

Mary Louise Johnson Mary Louise Johnson – Affectionately known as ‘Judy’, daughter of the late Samuel and Elizabeth Ward, born April 21, 1942, in Centerville Tennessee. She lived there as a youth and eventually her family settling in Richmond, Indiana. Judy attended Richmond Community Schools but did not graduate. She was not a fan of homework and argued […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

Willie Mae Johnson Willie Mae Johnson, 106, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2022. She was born January 11, 1916, in Two Egg, Florida to Flemmie Williams and Will Collins. Willie Mae and her husband Jessie Johnson moved back to Richmond from Two Egg, Florida, in 2004. She was a member of New Hope Missionary […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

Keith Edward Evans Keith Edward Evans, 19, New Carlisle, Ohio, died September 17, 2022, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born September 04, 2003, to Charles “Chuck” Evans and Courtney (Sanders Schmidt) Evans. He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 2021. Keith played football and wrestled for the Arrows from youth thru High School, lettering […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

Tyra Deanne Johnson Tyra Deanne Johnson, 18, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away on September 17, 2022. She was born on August 13, 2004, in Connersville, Indiana to Vaughn and Casey Johnson. Tyra loved chewing on her soft blankets, she loved going to get milkshakes with her mom, loved swimming with her dad, loved dancing to Nicki Minaj and […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

K-9 Officer Seara Burton RICHMOND, Ind. – K-9 Officer Seara Burton, age 28, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Reid Health, surrounded by her family, from injuries sustained in the line of duty. Born December 17, 1993, in Richmond, Indiana, to Jennifer Miller and Scott Burton, Seara was a lifelong resident of this area. She was […] — (Posted September 22, 2022)

Gene P. Schultz RICHMOND, Ind. – Gene P. Schultz, age 91, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, September 19, 2022, at Reid Health. He was born September 28, 1930, in Troy, Ohio, on a farm on Horseshoe Bend Road, to Paul W. and Mary Ethel Weaver Schultz. He was a 1948 graduate of Troy High School, and acquired college […] — (Posted September 21, 2022)

Marietta Ashley Mogle Marietta Ashley Mogle, 95, of New Castle passed away Monday, September 19, 2022 at her daughter’s residence. She was born November 19, 1926 in Lapaz, Indiana, a daughter of the late Earl F. and Eva (Melbert) Ashley. A lifelong New Castle resident, she was a 1944 graduate of New Castle High School. She married Glen […] — (Posted September 21, 2022)

Michael “Mike” H. McKinney Michael “Mike” H. McKinney, 76, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2022, at I.U. Health Ball Memorial in Muncie. He was born November 20, 1945, in Muncie, Indiana, a son of the late Paul Herschel McKinney and Ruth May (Wendell) Van Hook. Mike was a 1963 graduate of Muncie Southside High School. He […] — (Posted September 21, 2022)

Pamela Lynn Lunsford Pamela Lynn Lunsford, age 66, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Reid Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. Pam was born October 19, 1955, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Harold (Red) and Shirley Wright. She moved to Richmond shortly after her birth and lived the rest of her life […] — (Posted September 21, 2022)

Kenneth James Gardner Kenneth James Gardner “Jimmy,” 59, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away September 20, 2022, at Reid Health. He was born December 27, 1962, in Richmond to Rosalee and Kenneth Pierson Sr. and he is the son of Rosalee and Richard Gardner. He was always a dedicated hard worker, making many longtime friends along the way at […] — (Posted September 21, 2022)

Jack Lee Klemann HAGERSTOWN: Jack Lee Klemann, 87, of Hagerstown, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Assisted Living, Richmond, on Saturday, September 17, 2022. He was born in Richmond, on October 5, 1934, to Joseph B. and Evelyn D. (Atkinson) Klemann of Webster. Jack was a 1952 graduate of Webster High School, where he played baseball and basketball, including […] — (Posted September 19, 2022)

William “Bill” Roots William (Bill) Roots, age 84, passed away on Friday September 16, 2022, at Reid Hospital. He was born February 16, 1938, in Richmond to Francis P. Roots and Mary E. Roots. He was a 1956 graduate of Richmond High School. Bill worked 40 years at Kemper Cabinets. After retirement at Kemper, in 1996, he was […] — (Posted September 19, 2022)

Charles K. (Chuck) Koger Charles E. “Chuck” Koger, age 90, of Eaton, Ohio passed away the morning of Friday September 9, 2022, at Reid Hospital in Richmond. He was born on February 13, 1932, in Richmond, Indiana to George E. and Louise Blossom Koger. He graduated from Richmond Public Schools and attended Indiana University. Charles enlisted in the United […] — (Posted September 19, 2022)

R. A. Wagers RICHMOND, Ind. – R. A. Wagers, age 91, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born July 31, 1931, in Clay County, Kentucky, to Dutt and Emma Smith Wagers, R. A. was a life-long resident of this community. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in […] — (Posted September 19, 2022)