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.

Freda Mae Smith (Gillentine) Freda Mae Smith (Gillentine) born March 28, 1937, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2022, at Reid Hospital at the age of 85. She was surrounded by her loving family. Freda lived most of her life in Richmond, IN. She enjoyed playing Euchre and spending time with her children and grandbabies. She loved going to […] — (Posted August 17, 2022)

Edward “Ed” L. Strait Edward “Ed” L. Strait, age 74, passed away on August 16, 2022, at St. Vincent Heart Center in Carmel, IN. He was born in Richmond, IN on February 9, 1948, one of five children of the late Harry and Helen Strothman Strait. Ed served his country in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1968 […] — (Posted August 17, 2022)

Brenda Robinson Brenda Robinson, 72, of Richmond, passed away unexpectedly on August 15, 2022, at Reid Health. She was born November 27, 1949, in Berea, Kentucky to Silvin and Ruth Van Winkle Robinson; she lived in Crab Orchard, Kentucky before moving to Richmond where she lived most of her life. Brenda worked for Reid Health. She is […] — (Posted August 17, 2022)

Meda Maxine Evans Dunckel Meda Maxine Evans Dunckel born April 6, 1934, died peacefully on August 14, 2022, in Richmond, Indiana at the age of 88. Maxine was born and raised in Clio, Michigan, where she married Reuben Edward Dunckel in 1951. They enjoyed life together until the Lord received Reuben home on January 8, 2018; a total of […] — (Posted August 17, 2022)

Marilyn Jean (Roell) Cooper Marilyn Jean (Roell) Cooper, 93, passed away peacefully at home with family by her side, on Friday, August 12, 2022. She was born July 11, 1929 in Richmond to the late Ted and Leona (Grapperhaus) Roell. Marilyn was a devout Catholic and life-long member of St. Andrew Catholic Church (St. Elizabeth Seton Parish), where her […] — (Posted August 17, 2022)

Patricia F. Glover Patricia F. Glover, 71, of Doyle, Tennessee, went to her heavenly home Thursday August 11th, 2022. If anyone knew Pat, they knew that she was the “Queen of Cooks”. She loved preparing meals, crafting, fishing, and flea market shopping but mostly loved spending time with her kids and grandkids. She was the daughter of Lee and […] — (Posted August 17, 2022)

Odis Ray “Bo” Lady Odis Ray “Bo” Lady, 71, passed away at his home in Dublin Saturday evening August 13th, 2022. Odis was born on November 27th, 1950, to Ottis and Mildred (Kern) Lady in Richmond. He is survived by his wife, the former Vicki Jo Phillips, whom he married on June 28th, 2002 at the Richmond Rose Garden. The […] — (Posted August 17, 2022)

Larry L. Holcomb Larry L. Holcomb, 82, of New Castle, passed away early on the morning of Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 6, 1940, in Mooreland, IN, a son of the late Robert Glen and Bernetha (Houser) Holcomb. Larry attended Mooreland schools and graduated from […] — (Posted August 15, 2022)

Arville “Jack” Isaac Arville “Jack” Isaac, age 77, of Centerville, Indiana, passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on Friday, August 12, 2022, at Reid Health. Born November 17, 1944, in Jellico, Tennessee, to Walter and Linda Allen Isaac, Jack spent most of his childhood “down home” before moving to Richmond as a teenager. Jack and […] — (Posted August 15, 2022)

Frances Hays Frances Hays, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Arbor Trace. Born February 27, 1930, in Seco, Kentucky, to Bruce and Bessie Oney Rudd, Frances lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a hairdresser and owned and operated the Blue Spruce Salon. Frances was a member of the Loyal […] — (Posted August 15, 2022)

Ross Alan Walter Ross Alan Walter, 74, of Muncie, IN, passed away on August 12, 2022, at IU Health Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis, IN after a brief illness. Ross was born on February 23, 1948, in New Castle, IN, raised by his parents, Ralph and Gladys (Stockton) Boyd and Harvey Walter, and loved by his in-laws, Leonard […] — (Posted August 15, 2022)

Janet “Janny” Sue Keal Janet “Janny” Sue Keal, 65, passed away Friday evening, August 12, 2022 at her home in Brownsville. One of two daughters of Kenneth Y. and Betty J. Sampson Morford, Janny was born in Connersville on February 11, 1957 and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1975. On July 1, 1989, she married […] — (Posted August 14, 2022)

Debra (Debbie) Ann Dailey Debra (Debbie) Ann Dailey, age 62, passed away unexpectedly at home on August 5th, 2022. She was born in Richmond, Indiana, on November 13, 1959, to Ada Faye and Leonard Lee Dailey Sr. Debbie lived in Richmond and Liberty, Indiana, throughout her life, she was raised in the Holsapple neighborhood. She enjoyed talking about her […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

William J. “Bill” Cox Jr. William J. “Bill” Cox, Jr., 81, peacefully left his earthly body for his Heavenly eternal spirit on Thursday, August 11, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. He was surrounded by many friends, family and loved ones leading to the hours of his passing with an excitement to meet his Heavenly Father and his wife, son […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Melba K. McDivitt Melba K. McDivitt, age 80, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at Reid Health. Born August 14, 1941, in Ray, Ohio, to Ray and Hazel McCray Doles, Melba attended Jackson School in Campbellstown, Ohio. She was a 1959 graduate of West Milton High School in West Milton, Ohio. Melba was a 1984 graduate […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Vera June Jennings Vera June Jennings, age 79, passed away at Reid Health on August 11, 2022. She was born October 19, 1942, the daughter of Preston and Zelma Miller, in Dublin, Indiana. Vera had lived in Wayne County all of her life. She loved music and loved being around people. She was a good-hearted woman and will […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Wade Isaacs Wade Isaacs, age 69, of Connersville, passed away on Thursday August 11, 2022. Wade was born on September 14, 1952, to the late Elijah A. Isaacs and Flossie Mae McKinney Isaacs Rice. He had lived in Oxford, Ohio for several years before moving back to Connersville. Wade had worked most of his life in the […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

David E. Walter David E. Walter, age 55, passed away at Reid Health on August 6, 2022. He was born December 1, 1966, the son of Linda Thatcher and Gordon Walter, in Dayton, Ohio. David was a resident of Richmond, Indiana; and attended Richmond Community Schools. He was a cook at restaurants in Richmond and the Southern States. […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Kenneth Lainhart, Sr. Kenneth Lainhart, Sr., 79, of Blooming Grove, Indiana passed away Tuesday evening, August 9, 2022 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 16, 1942 in Jackson County, Kentucky, one of thirteen children of Marlow and Nora Fox Lainhart and as a child, he moved with his family to the Connersville […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Steven Wade Childress Steven Wade Childress succumbed to injuries he received at a Juneteenth party in Anderson, Indiana, June 19, 2022. He was born December 13, 1995, to Emma Rodenberger and Arnold (Beanie) Childress. He was called home August 4, 2022, after a hard-fought battle from the wounds he received. To know Steven was to love him. He […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Kristy L. Carver Kristy L. Carver, age 43, passed away at Reid Health on August 6, 2022. She was born March 24, 1979, the daughter of Willis Carver and Pamela Mesce, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Kristy was a resident of Florida all of her life except for the past year she had resided in Wayne County. Kristy […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Leva M. “Hazel” Copley Leva M. “Hazel” Copley, 85, of Greensburg and formerly of New Castle, passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at Decatur County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg. She was born October 10, 1936 in Wayne County, Kentucky, a daughter of Charlie Caleb Moran and Della Mae (Atkins) Bales. Hazel was self employed, owning a shop in Metamora. […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Dale Ryan Watkins Dale Ryan Watkins, 59, of New Castle, Indiana passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at his residence. He was born September 19, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan, son of Arch Watkins Jr. of Greenfield and the late, Grace (Lucas) Watkins. He was a 1981 Greenfield High School graduate and worked at Kiehin Manufacturing in Greenfield. Dale […] — (Posted August 12, 2022)

Carolyn L. Strohmier Carolyn L. Strohmier, age 90, of Richmond, Indiana and recently of Duvall, Washington, died at home on August 8, 2022, with her daughter and friend by her bedside. Born October 4, 1931, in Wayne County, IN, to John Hollingsworth and Blanch Alexander Hollingsworth, she resided in Wayne County until 2017. Carolyn had been a member […] — (Posted August 11, 2022)

Lula (Hall) Haynes Lula (Hall) Haynes, age 99, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2022, at Heritage House of New Castle. She was born July 17, 1923, in Lewisville, Indiana, a daughter of the late Russell Verney Hall and Crystal L. (Ratliff) Hall. Lula worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for 42 years before retiring in 1987. She was […] — (Posted August 11, 2022)

Elizabeth Tressler Elizabeth Tressler, 64 of Connersville passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022. She was born on December 1, 1957 in Connersville to James Powell and Ruby Gunnell Powell. Liz worked at Ponderosa in the surrounding area for over 25 years as a general manager. She generally loved working and was known for her dedication to […] — (Posted August 11, 2022)

James M. “Mikey” Mosley Sr. James M. “Mikey” Mosley Sr., age 69, passed away on August 5, 2022, at Hickory Creek of Connersville. Born on July 1, 1953, in Batesville, Indiana, he is the son of the late James C. Mosley, Jr. and Betty Lola Stacy Mosley. Mikey is a 1972 graduate of Rushville Consolidated High School. He later moved […] — (Posted August 11, 2022)

Elmer Griffin Jr. Elmer Griffin Jr., 78 of Connersville passed away on Friday August 5, 2022. He was born on January 10, 1945 to the late Elmer Sr and Cynthia Chrismin Griffin in Rushville, Indiana. Elmer was a man of many talents when it came to vehicles. He found joy in the work he did including mechanical work, […] — (Posted August 11, 2022)

Michael A. Mulheeren, Jr. Michael A. Mulheeren, Jr., age 85, passed away on Saturday August 6, 2022. Born in Connersville on October 7, 1936, his is one of five children of the late Michael A. Sr., and Flora Callahan Mulheeren. Mike is a 1955 graduate of Connersville High School. After graduation Mike enlisted in the United States Air Force […] — (Posted August 11, 2022)

Elliott Linville Elliott Linville, age 58, of Connersville, passed away on August 7, 2022 at Caroleton Healthcare of Connersville after a long battle with cancer. Elliott was born on September 30, 1963, in Connersville, the son of the late John R. and Donna K. Elliott Linville. Elliott graduated from Connersville High School in 1982. He developed a […] — (Posted August 11, 2022)