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.

Reverend Dr. Maurice E. Ankrom The Reverend Dr. Maurice E. Ankrom was born on June 30, 1928 in New Castle, IN and passed quietly in his sleep in Asheville, NC on July 22, 2022. He grew up near Cambridge City, IN and graduated from Lincoln High School there in 1946. Later he studied at Manhattan Christian College in Kansas for […] — (Posted July 31, 2022)

Aletha C. Easley Aletha C. Easley passed away July 26, 2022 peacefully with music playing and surrounded by family and friends at Kindred Hospital in Indianapolis. Aletha was a longtime resident of Heritage House in Connersville and an advocate for residents who had no one. She had many friends there. Aletha is survived by her beautiful granddaughters, Gizelle […] — (Posted July 31, 2022)

Shirley Mae Epperson Shirley Mae Epperson, 73, of Connersville passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at her home. One of fifteen children of Chester and Endia Jennings Allen, Shirley was born in Batesville, Indiana on February 11, 1949. In her leisure time, Shirley enjoyed visiting with friends, sitting on her porch, tending to sunflowers, and spending time […] — (Posted July 31, 2022)

Joseph W. “Joe” Brammer Joseph W. “Joe” Brammer, 71, of New Castle passed away, Friday, July 29, 2022 at Heritage House of New Castle. He was born December 25, 1950 in New Castle to the late Alvie and Wilma (Dick) Brammer. He graduated in 1968 from Knightstown High School and retired from Warner Gear after 30 years of service. […] — (Posted July 31, 2022)

Marsha G. Cottongim Marsha G. Cottongim, age 69, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Preble County, Ohio. Marsha was born July 17, 1953, in Middletown, Ohio, and had lived in Richmond for 40 years. She was an LPN and had also worked at Manpower, Kmart, and as a greeter at Walmart. Marsha enjoyed fishing, bingo, […] — (Posted July 31, 2022)

Mary K. Carroll Mary K. Carroll, age 72, of New Castle, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in her residence. She was born April 18, 1950, in New Castle, a daughter of Carl and Gladys (Lawson) Willoughby. Mary attended Community Chapel Church where she sang in a gospel quartet. She enjoyed cooking for her family and taking care […] — (Posted July 29, 2022)

Nikki A. Isenhart Nikki A. Isenhart, 60, of Mooreland passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Henry Community Health. She was born October 14, 1961 in Shirley, Indiana, a daughter of the late Lawrence Harris and Roberta (Harwood) Koontz. Nikki was a graduate of Eastern Hancock and attended Ivy Tech School of Nursing. She was a loving mom, […] — (Posted July 29, 2022)

John Paul Smith John Paul Smith 93 of Richmond died July 25, 2022, at Friends Fellowship Community. He was born May 9, 1929, in Billingsville to Frank and Lena Schumann Smith and lived here most of his life. After graduating from Richmond High School, John went to work for the Palladium-Item. He worked there for more than 40 […] — (Posted July 29, 2022)

Clara Juanita Shawhan Clara Juanita Shawhan, age 87, of Centerville, Indiana, died Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at Brickyard Healthcare – Golden Rule Care Center. Born March 6, 1935, in Bristol, Tennessee, to Dave M. and Demie Marie Denton Williams, Juanita lived in this area most of her life. She was a 1954 graduate of Whitewater High School. Juanita […] — (Posted July 29, 2022)

Evelyn Joann Ray Evelyn Joann Ray, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Reid Health. Born December 7, 1935, in Lawrence, Illinois, to Owen Albert and Adena Evelyn Hutchinson, Joann had lived in Richmond since 1975. She worked as a retail manager at Montgomery Ward, London Fog, and Walmart. Joann was a Cincinnati Reds […] — (Posted July 29, 2022)

Carolyn Alice Gray Carolyn Alice Gray, 89, of Laurel, passed away Monday, July 25, 2022 at Heritage House, where she had been a resident for five years. She was born May 25, 1933 in Abington, Indiana, the daughter of Carroll and Edith Pate. On August 30, 1952, she was married in Laurel to Roy A. “Kilroy” Gray. Mr. […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

Charles “Charley” Antone Fuesler Charles “Charley” Antone Fuesler, 49, of Connersville, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022 as a result of an automotive accident that occurred that same day. He was born January 25, 1973 in Hamilton, Ohio, one of five children of Christ Antone and Caroline Marie Henson Fuesler. He was employed as a team leader at Valeo […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

Charles “Chuck” Edward Osborn, Sr. Charles “Chuck” Edward Osborn, Sr., 74, of Connersville, passed away Saturday evening, July 23, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on September 27, 1947, one of five children of Evan Stanley and Anna Louise Gindling Osborn, and he was a 1965 graduate of Connersville High School. On May 26, […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

Amelia Annette (Wasson) Goldsmith Amelia Annette (Wasson) Goldsmith, age 33, resident of New Castle, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2021, at IU Health Ball Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. She was born August 20, 1988, in Anderson, Indiana, a daughter of Von and Emily (Jimenez) Wasson. Amelia was a 2008 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School. Following a […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

H. Wayne Major H. Wayne Major, age 92, of Rock Hill, died Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill. Born July 2, 1930, in Carthage, Ohio, to Roscoe E. and Mildred M. Skinner Major, Wayne lived in Richmond most of his life. He was a 1949 graduate of McGuffey High School in Oxford, Ohio. […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

Jeannine Brim Jeannine Brim, age 75, of Centerville, died the morning of Monday July 25, 2022. She was born in Clinton, IN on July 11, 1947, to Blaine and Betty McCart Randolph. Jeannine graduated from Clinton high school in Clinton, IN in 1965 then attended Indiana State University where she obtained her master’s degree in early child […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

Brian Heath Watts This is the story of Brian Heath Watts. Brian’s story starts on June 3, 1985. He was born to Bruce and Connie in Richmond, IN. As a kid, he loved hanging out with his grandparents, performing magic tricks, and telling jokes. After graduating from Hagerstown High school in 2004 and Indiana University Bloomington in 2008, […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

Kathleen K. (Kimes) Smith Kathleen K. (Kimes) Smith, 69, of Elwood, passed away July 26, 2022, in her home, with her family by her side. She was born, April 27, 1953, the daughter of Leonard and Joyce (Stitt) Kimes. Kathy was a 1971 graduate of Madison Grant High School (the first class to graduate from MGHS) and a graduate […] — (Posted July 27, 2022)

Alvis A. Waldo Alvis A. Waldo, 78, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday morning, July 20, 2022 with his wife and nieces by his side at Whitewater Commons in Liberty, Indiana. He was born November 1, 1943 in Blytheville, Arkansas, one of three children of Alvis O. Waldo and Beulah C. Arnold Waldo. On January 20, 1973, Alvis married […] — (Posted July 26, 2022)

Nancy M. Ramsey Nancy M. Ramsey, 90, of Richmond, Indiana, died of natural causes on Monday, July 25, 2022, at Friends Fellowship Community. Nancy was born on May 20, 1932, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Robert Harley Doty and Frances Root Lawson (Alex). She was a life-long resident of Wayne County, graduating from Richmond High School in 1950. […] — (Posted July 26, 2022)

Lena Mullins Lena Mullins, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, July 24, 2022, at Reid Health. Lena was a life-long resident of Richmond, with her parents immigrating to the city from Bisaccia, Italy in the early 1900’s. Survivors include her children, David (Annette) Mullins of Richmond, and Sharon (James) Schaffer of West Chester, Ohio; grandchildren, Matthew […] — (Posted July 26, 2022)

Evelyn “Peanut” Jeffers Evelyn “Peanut” Jeffers, age 87, passed away at Henry Community Health on July 22, 2022. She was born August 26, 1934, the daughter of Thomas and Hattie York, in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. Evelyn loved to travel to Tennessee, especially to Pigeon Forge. When her health permitted her, she loved to clean house. She had attended […] — (Posted July 25, 2022)

Joseph E. Powell Joseph E. Powell, age 64, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, July 20, 2022, at Reid Health. Born May 12, 1958, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Raymond and Juanita M. Robinson Powell, Joe was a life-long resident of this area. He was a 1976 graduate of Richmond High School. Joe was a sports enthusiast and especially liked […] — (Posted July 25, 2022)

Kenley Marie Criswell Kenley Marie Criswell, 18 months, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at her home. She was born January 19, 2021 in New Castle to Brandon and Shanea (Losey) Criswell. Kenley was very outgoing, funny, and was always “on the run”. She was a Dora the Explorer and loved being outdoors. Riding the golf cart […] — (Posted July 25, 2022)

Rev. Joe Lee Terry Rev. Joe Lee Terry, 74, a resident of New Castle passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Heritage House of New Castle. He was born October 26, 1947 in New Castle to the late Marion and Annabelle (Criswell) Terry. A retired minister, he preached the gospel throughout the Midwest, giving numerous people the hope of […] — (Posted July 25, 2022)

Garry Barrett Garry Barrett, 69, of Connersville passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. He was born in Breathitt County, Kentucky, on March 1, 1953, to the late Thomas Sr. and Kathleen Gross Barrett. Garry worked most of his adult life at Don Barrett’s Carpet as a carpet installer. In the 1970’s Garry also taught many students […] — (Posted July 24, 2022)

June E. Williamson June E. Williamson, 92, of West Lafayette, passed away on July 21, 2022, at Westminster Village. She was born at home on June 23, 1930, to Charles and Pauline Eloff in Fountain City, Indiana. She graduated from Fountain City High School in 1948, the same summer she married Maurice L. Williamson of Economy. Maurice and […] — (Posted July 24, 2022)

Walter J. Stubeda Walter J. Stubeda, age 95, passed away on Wednesday July 20, 2022 at Arbor Trace. He was born in Bucks County Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 17, 1927 to John and Helen Stubeda. Walter served his country honorably in the United States Army and had served in the Korean War. He earned his engineering degree from […] — (Posted July 24, 2022)

George Harry Hedge George Harry Hedge, age 80, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Reid Health. Born May 22, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Harry and Beatrice Forner Hedge, George had lived in Richmond since 2000. He was an inventory buyer for Elder-Beerman. George served in the United States Army Reserves. He was a member […] — (Posted July 24, 2022)

Randy Delmer Shepler Randy Delmer Shepler, 68, of Connersville, peacefully went home to be with the Lord Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Major Hospital in Shelbyville, Indiana. He was born October 16, 1953 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, one of seven children of Delmer and Barbara Fuesler Shepler. A veteran, he served his country in the Indiana National Guard […] — (Posted July 24, 2022)