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.

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)

Frieda E. Dunlavy Frieda E. Dunlavy, 81, a resident of Knightstown passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Hancock Regional Hospital. She was born June 6, 1941 in New Castle to the late Horace and N. Frances (Fouts) Wilson. Frieda grew up on a farm raising pigs and was very active in 4-H. She retired from the Indiana […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

George C. Lester George C. Lester, age 82, Liberty, passed away on July 17, 2022. He was born on August 3, 1939, in Pineville, Kentucky. He was the youngest of 10 children born to Willie and Anna Messer Lester. George was united in marriage on January 4, 1961, to Betty Henry Lester. They were able to spend 45 […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

Beulah “Bee” Howard Matney Beulah “Bee” Howard Matney passed from our world into Glory Land on Monday July 18, 2022, while residing at Heritage House Senior Care Facility, Connersville, Indiana. Bee was one of four children, a twin sister and two brothers, born to Almer and Ada Mae Robey on February 22, 1922, at a farm outside of Stamping […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

Jonathan A. “Andy” Sidell Jonathan A. “Andy” Sidell, age 43 of Connersville, passed away on July 19, 2022, at Reid Healthcare in Richmond. Andy was born on March 25, 1979, in Rushville, Indiana, the son of David and Diana Mosley Sidell. He had received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Administration and Certificate for Human Resource Management […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

Janice Marie Rollins Janice Marie Rollins, 75, of Connersville passed away Tuesday evening, July 19, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. One of ten children of Lawrence Raymond and Lilja Neimi Pettit, Janice was born in Carlton, Minnesota on November 3, 1946, and she graduated from Cromwell Wright High School. She married John Daniel Rollins on February 5, […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

Charles Richard Chris, Jr. Charles Richard Chris, Jr., 91, of Richmond, died July 19, 2022, at Reid Health after a short illness. He was born March 14, 1931, to Charles Richard Chris, Sr., and Mabel Marie Atwell Chris in Richmond, Indiana. He attended Hibbard Junior High School and Richmond Senior High School, where he met Dorothy Lee Hetisimer. They […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

Mary K. “Kathy” Kibbey Lunsford Mary K. “Kathy” Kibbey Lunsford, 80, of Connersville, went home peacefully to be with the Lord, Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Reid Health, surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 7, 1942 in Grayson, Kentucky, one of six children of Herbert Palmer and Sally Alice Smith Kibbey, and at the age of six […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

Marcia Sue VanWinkle Marcia Sue VanWinkle, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at Arbor Trace. Born October 20, 1933, in Richmond, Indiana, to Delbert and Edith Stremmel Hartman, Marcia was a lifelong resident of Richmond. She worked many different places, including Haag Drug and Staco Energy Products Company. Marcia was a member of Calvary […] — (Posted July 22, 2022)

Dale Wayne “Bud” Stenger Dale Wayne “Bud” Stenger, 76, of Connersville died, Friday, July 15, 2022 at Reid Health in Richmond. Dale was born to Edward R. and Alice C. Reese Stenger in Bath, Indiana on January 6, 1946. He retired from Ford after thirty-years of faithful service. Dale married the former Mary Ann Rogers on August 22, 1964. […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Carl Stanton Nutty Carl Stanton Nutty, 96, passed away on July 15, 2022, at Majestic Care of Connersville, where he had been a resident since September of 2021. Carl was born at home in Alquina, on November 16, 1925. He was one of six children of Frank and Myrtle Miller Nutty, with six half-siblings of Frank and Edith […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Nathaniel Ray Parker Nathaniel Ray Parker, 41, of Bedford, passed away July 17, 2022 at Mercy Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati. He was born August 27, 1980 in Richmond to Eddie Ray and Linda Kaye Centers Parker. He was a Journeyman with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Nathan is survived by his paternal grandparents Ed […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

William “Bill” Fuller III William “Bill” Fuller III, 59, of Zionsville, IN, passed away July 18, 2022, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Fort Worth, TX on September 9, 1962, to William Fuller Jr and Gaye Fuller, Bill attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated in 1985 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. After a […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Melissa “Mel” Dawn Johnson Melissa “Mel” Dawn Johnson, age 41, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, July 18, 2022, at IU Health University Hospital surrounded by her family. Born March 27, 1981, in Franklin, Indiana, a real-life “Wonder Woman”, to Michael and Sally Roe Liffick, Mel had lived in Richmond for 23 years. She was a 1999 graduate of Whiteland […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Janice A. Balthis Janice A. Balthis, 81, of Richmond, died July 18, 2022, at Reid Health after a short illness. She was born May 17, 1941, in Preble County, Ohio, to Harold and Phyllis Dill Spencer and lived here for over 55 years. She worked at ACE USA Insurance and was a member of Friendship Community Church. Survivors […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Mary F. Fisher Mary F. Fisher, age 81 of Richmond, Indiana died Tuesday morning, (July 19, 2022) at Robin Run Village, Indianapolis. She was born in Richmond, May 30, 1941, to Richard J. Austerman and Martha Mary Green and lived in Richmond until 2019. She was a 1959 graduate of Williamsburg, Indiana high school, and was an Office […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Francis J. Williams Francis J. Williams, 95, of Fountain City, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 18 at Reid Health. Francis was born in Wayne County, Indiana’s Clay Township on August 21, 1926 to Joseph W. & Elsie L. Frame Williams. He graduated from Fountain City High School in 1944. Francis was a US Army veteran of World […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Jerry Dean Jewett Jerry Dean Jewett, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, and formerly of Dayton, Ohio, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Brickyard Healthcare – Golden Rule. Jerry was born March 11, 1943, in Harriman, Tennessee, to Arthur and Wilma Jewett. The family eventually relocated to Dayton, and upon graduation from Nettie Lee Roth High School, Jerry […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Richard A. “Rick” Acton Richard A. “Rick” Acton, age 64, of Lynn, Indiana, died Sunday, July 17, 2022. He was born January 15, 1958, in Winchester, Indiana. Rick lived in Oregon for many years, until moving back to this area in 2021. He was a career over the road truck driver, and a veteran of the United States Army. […] — (Posted July 20, 2022)

Pauline Marie Conyers Pauline Marie Conyers, 84, formerly of the Union City and Hagerstown areas, went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Countryside Meadows Nursing Home in Avon, where she had resided for the past two and a half years. Born May 9,1938, in Centerville, to James Floyd Sutherland Sr. and Mattie Will […] — (Posted July 18, 2022)

Joshua L. Coad Joshua L. Coad, 31, of Richmond, died July 18, 2022, at his home. He was born October 27, 1990, in Cleveland, Ohio Michael ( Julie Morris) Coad Sr. and Michelle Schoger. Joshua work in food service as a cook. He collected hats and enjoyed the outdoors. Survivors include two children Aiden and Jayce Coad, two […] — (Posted July 18, 2022)

Ben V. Potters Ben V. Potters, age 92, passed away on Thursday July 14, 2022, at Hickory Creek of Connersville where he had been a resident for four years receiving loving care from the staff. Ben was born on February 25, 1930, in Olive Hill, Carter County, Kentucky. He was one of seven children born to the late […] — (Posted July 17, 2022)

Leo Isaacs Leo Isaacs, age 70, passed away on July 13 2022, at Majestic Care of Connersville. Leo was born on March 14, 1952, one of ten children of the late Raleigh and Agnes Isaacs. He was a member of the Full Gospel Revelation Church and was also a member of the American Legion. He served in […] — (Posted July 17, 2022)

Trae Wesley Neukam Trae Wesley Neukam, 29, of Connersville passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. He was born in Connersville, IN, on November 4, 1992, to Kevin Neukam and Christal Bunch Dunaway. Trae was a 2011 Connersville High School graduate, while in attendance he participated in the boys’ basketball and baseball programs. He was currently employed […] — (Posted July 17, 2022)

Christ A. Smith Christ A. Smith, 75, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, July 15, 2022 in Richmond, Indiana. Born on August 20, 1946 in Richmond, Indiana, he was the son of the late Amos F. & Flossie Ann (Sandlin) Smith. Christ did various jobs in the Richmond area. He was a 1966 Eaton High School graduate, served in […] — (Posted July 17, 2022)

Robert J. “Bob” Miller Robert J. “Bob” Miller, 84, a resident of New Castle passed away Friday, July 15, 2022 at Community East Hospital. He was born December 3, 1937 in Noblesville to the late Paul and Thelma (Ammerman) Miller. Bob dearly loved driving a school bus for New Castle Community Schools for many years. A real estate agent, […] — (Posted July 17, 2022)

Fred Fraley Fred Fraley, 92, of Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2022 at his home with his family by his side. He was born April 17, 1930 in Morehead, KY, a son of the late Milligan and Mary (Purvis) Fraley. Fred married Arlene (Gulley) Fraley in April 1950 in Morehead, KY and had seven children over […] — (Posted July 17, 2022)

James “Jim” R. Keaton James “Jim” R. Keaton of New Castle, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Waters Nursing Home in New Castle after a short illness. He was born in Chillicothe, Ohio on February 1, 1930, to the late John D. and Frances (Porter) Keaton. He lived most of his adult life in New […] — (Posted July 16, 2022)

William A. Miller William A. Miller, age 83, a resident of New Castle, passed away Friday morning, July 15, 2022, at his residence. He was born October 27, 1938, in Russell Spring, Kentucky, a son of the late Rufus and Sissie (Stevens) Miller. He served in the Army National Guard and was a welder at Chrysler Corporation in […] — (Posted July 16, 2022)