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.

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)

Mary M. Mitchell Mary M. Mitchell, age 94, living in Richmond, died Friday, September 16, 2022, at Brookdale Senior Living. She was born March 1, 1928, in Richmond to Theodore and Chrysoula Chagares Marinakes. She and her husband lived in Terre Haute for 34 years and moved back to Richmond. Mary retired from First Bank Richmond after working […] — (Posted September 19, 2022)

Tammy Patti Tammy Patti of Alexander, AR passed away in Little Rock, AR on September 11th, 2022, at 7:25 PM at the age of 61 after valiantly losing her battle to cancer. Tammy was born in Richmond, Indiana on November 28th, 1960, to Bettie Hutchings (Green) and Thomas Beane. She graduated from Centerville High School in Indiana […] — (Posted September 19, 2022)

Sandy L. “Lou” Ryan Sandy L. “Lou” Ryan, age 75, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, September 12, 2022, at Reid Health. Born May 31, 1947, in Richmond, Indiana to Ralph and Betty Atkins Brelage, Sandy was a life-long resident of this area. She was a graduate of Williamsburg High School. Sandy was a stay-at-home mom and caregiver and had […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

Marilyn Saylor Marilyn Saylor, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Brickyard Healthcare – Muncie Care Center. Born August 31, 1936, in Trilby, Ohio, to Elias W. and Mary Lee Bruce Cope, Marilyn had lived in this area since 1971. She worked on the assembly line at Visteon Ford for 26 years. Marilyn […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

David Ray Burke David Ray Burke, 74, of New Castle IN, passed away unexpectedly in his home on September 6, 2022. He was born on July 21, 1948 in New Castle, IN, a son of the late Orville and Juanita (Wagner) Burke. He graduated in 1968 from Walter P. Chrysler Memorial High School in New Castle. David retired […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

John O. Hungerford John O. Hungerford, 84, of New Castle passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 3, 1938 in Rushville, Indiana, a son of the late Vaughn and Francis (Tompkins) Hungerford. John grew up in Milroy then later moved to New Castle and attended the […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

Norman L. Davis Norman L. Davis, age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, September 9, 2022, at his home. Born September 22, 1937, in New Castle, Indiana, to Cecil H. and Cleo V. Simmons Davis. Norman was a member of this community most of his life. He was a 1956 graduate of New Castle High School. Norman retired […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

Dean Byers Dean Byers, 61, passed away Thursday morning September 1, 2022, at his home in New Castle, Indiana. Dean was born in Dayton, Ohio on September 15, 1960, and moved with his family to New Castle when he was four years old. He attended New Castle High School. Dean was a railroad man and retired from […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

Donsetta Lynn Shiflett Donsetta Lynn Shiflett, 60, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2022. She was born on November 18, 1961, in Richmond, Indiana to David A. and Rosetta (Steele) Shiflett. Donsetta was a graduate of Centerville High School. She was a CNA in the Richmond community for over thirty-five years, caring for people at Golden […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

Cherie Renee Thacker Cherie Renee Thacker, 31, of Richmond, died September 12, 2022, at her home. She was born August 26, 1991, in Richmond to Phillip and Deborah Street May and lived here all her life. She was a homemaker. Cherie is survived by her children Adien Scott Roark, Madelynn Marie Roark, and Macey Mae, her mother and […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)

Bethel Watson Sells Bethel Watson Sells, 80, of Shirley, IN went home to be with the Lord while holding the hand of his granddaughter, Breanna, on the morning of Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born on March 17, 1942 in New Castle, IN, a son of the late Elmer and Beatrice […] — (Posted September 16, 2022)