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.

Mary Ann Kempe Mary Ann Kempe, age 78, of Richmond, Indiana, died after a brief illness on Friday, July 15, 2022, at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis, Indiana, surrounded by loved ones. Born April 12, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, to William and Helen Maj Goralski, Mary Ann had lived in Richmond since 1974. She retired from Richmond Community […] — (Posted July 16, 2022)

Victoria Mae Quinn Victoria Mae Quinn, 36, of Connersville, Indiana, passed away Monday afternoon, July 11, 2022 at Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis Trauma Center.She was born February, 3, 1986 in Ronceverte, West Virginia. She was currently employed by Sugar Creek Packing Company. God and her family came first in her life. In her leisure, she enjoyed reading her […] — (Posted July 15, 2022)

Virginia Ruth Wamsley Virginia Ruth Wamsley, age 90, of Centerville, Indiana, died Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born August 5, 1931, in Brookville, Indiana, to Harry and Margaret Carnes Lee, Virginia had lived in this area for most of her life. She was an LPN and worked at the Pediatric Center and at Earlham Health Service. […] — (Posted July 14, 2022)

Norma Jeanne Smith Norma Jeanne Smith, 90, of Richmond, passed away unexpectedly on July 12, 2022. She was born February 15, 1932, in Richmond to Howard and Ruby Myers Petty and lived here all of her life. She worked at Hills Roses, Johns Custom Framing, Yarn and Yardage. Norma was an accomplished needle worker, knitter, and seamstress; she […] — (Posted July 14, 2022)

Reverend Hisel Carpenter Reverend Hisel Carpenter, 83, of Richmond, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, July 11, 2022. He was born November 3, 1938, in Jackson County, Kentucky to Tommy and Mary Bell Lakes Carpenter and lived here most of his life. He dedicated his life to ministry alongside his devoted wife […] — (Posted July 13, 2022)

Robert E. Fitzgibbons Robert E. Fitzgibbons, age 83, passed away on Wednesday July 6, 2022, at Reid Health after battling COPD for years. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on July 13, 1938, to Ralph and Delia Horrigan Fitzgibbons. Robert was a military Veteran he served in the National Guard. Robert worked at PK Lumber and other businesses […] — (Posted July 13, 2022)

William A. Evans William A. Evans of Richmond, Indiana passed away peacefully on July 8, 2022. William “Bill” is survived by his wife Diane Evans; children Cynthia (Thad) Howard, Bruce Brown (Rachelle); grandchildren Tyler Brown (Katie), Angelina (Jared) Glickman-Harmon and Alyssa (Matt) Schroeder; great grandchild Millie Brown; brothers Bob, Sam and Tommy Evans and sister Helen. He is […] — (Posted July 13, 2022)

Dorothy Joann Weber “Death is no stranger to Joann Weber. She came face-to-face with it at the deaths of her two husbands, and three adult children, and she encounters it often in her work as a Reid Hospital hospice volunteer.” – Pam Tharp Dorothy Joann Weber, 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

Linda Lou George Linda Lou George, 81, Pershing, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Sunday morning, July 3rd, 2022. Linda was born on May 30th, 1941, in Beech Grove, Indiana to the late Maurice and Ruth (Crute) Pyle. Linda grew up in Indianapolis and moved to the Cambridge City area in […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

America Louise Blair America Louise Blair, 70, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at her residence. She was born October 27, 1951 in Brookville, Indiana to William David and Mary Helen Wolfe Carey. For a number of years, America worked at Visteon. Survivors include three children, Regina Doyle of Plainfield, Indiana, Charles “Chuck” (Brooke) Collins, and […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

Linda Goble Linda Goble, 66, of New Castle, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Henry Community Health. She was born on March 19, 1956 in Muncie, Indiana, a daughter of the late Russell Frederick and Elsie Mae (Weems) Williamson. Linda was a 1974 graduate of Blue River Valley High School. She worked for the […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

Robert F. Young Sr. Connersville native Robert F. Young Sr., 93, died Monday, July 11, 2022 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. Bob was born to Francis A. and Elizabeth A. Hines Young on May 8, 1929. He was a devoted trucker for IRC&D, serving the company for forty-years until his retirement. He married the late Bertha E. Johnson […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

Wanda J. Ross Wanda J. Ross, age 73 died Saturday July 9, 2022 at Reid Health after a lengthy illness. She was born in New Paris, OH on March 10, 1949 to Wallace Jackson and Ruth Zitt Jackson. Wanda was a homemaker who enjoyed playing bingo. The family would like to thank the staff at Reid Health and […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

Goldena Graf Goldena Graf of Richmond, Indiana left this earth for her heavenly home on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Goldena was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on March 16, 1934, to the late Ralph and Lura Dee Coon. She is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Art Graf, and her son Doug Graf. Also preceding […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

Marquita Anna Allen (Kitty) Marquita Anna Allen (Kitty), 89, was taken home by angels on July 10, 2022. She was born in Richmond to Jeanetta and Lester Phenis on November 3, 1932. Kitty enjoyed playing Bingo and always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Survivors include a daughter: Tonya (Bill) Hutzell; two sons: Rob Allen and […] — (Posted July 12, 2022)

John A. Smith John A. Smith, age 68, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2022, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born August 21, 1953, in New Castle, to the late William & Betty (Foster) Smith. John proudly served his country in both the United States Army & Air Force […] — (Posted July 11, 2022)

Verdie L. Morgan Verdie L. Morgan, age 87, formerly of Connersville, passed away on July 9, 2022, at Ridgewood Health in Lawrenceburg, IN. Verdie was one of twelve children born to the late Shirley J. and Allie Smith Smith, on November 12, 1934, in Manchester, Clay County, Kentucky. She was united in marriage on May 5, 1952, to […] — (Posted July 11, 2022)

Tracy Allen Reno Tracy Allen Reno, 57, of New Castle passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at his residence. He was born June 1, 1965 in New Castle, Indiana. A lifelong resident, he was employed at Jiffy Lube in New Castle for the past 4 years. He had attended Open Arms Church. Tracy had coached and umpired […] — (Posted July 11, 2022)

Jerry Ray Smith Jerry Ray Smith, 71, of New Castle passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial in Muncie. He was born January 18, 1951 in Alpine, Tennessee, a son of the late Clevis and Nova Smith. Jerry was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Viet Nam War. He had been […] — (Posted July 11, 2022)

Violet R. Kissick Violet R. Kissick, 85, of New Castle passed away Friday, July 8, 2022 at Hickory Creek of New Castle, following a long battle with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. She was born August 6, 1936 in Murl, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Johnnie W. and Iva E. (Matthews) Denney. Violet was a 1954 graduate of […] — (Posted July 11, 2022)

M. Annette Cross M. Annette Cross, 79, of New Castle passed away Sunday, July 10, 2022 at I.U Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. She was born on March 9, 1943 in Albany, KY, a daughter of the late Thurston and Goldie (Ballenger) Jones. Annette loved her family and was the magnet that drew everyone together. She would rather […] — (Posted July 11, 2022)

Michael R. Thalls Michael R. Thalls, 84, of New Castle passed away Friday morning, July 8, 2022. He was born February 12, 1938 in New Castle, a son of the late Russell Eugene and Mary Helen (Valentine) Thalls. A 1956 graduate of New Castle High School, Mike attended New Mexico Western University on a golf scholarship before returning […] — (Posted July 11, 2022)

John Alvin Mengedoht John Alvin Mengedoht, 57, of Connersville, IN passed away on July 5, 2022 at his residence. John was born in Connersville, on January 4, 1965, to the late Charles and Betty Scott Mengedoht. On March 2, 2000, John married the love of his life, Lucher Garner, at their home in Connersville. John worked most of […] — (Posted July 10, 2022)

Freida Lucile Teeguarden Bennett Freida Lucile Teeguarden Bennett, age 84, formerly of Connersville, passed away on July 4, 2022, in Cape Coral, Florida. She was born in Connersville, IN on June 19, 1938, the daughter of the late Robert and Arzella Hammer Teeguarden. Freida was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother that enjoyed decorating for the holidays and spoiling […] — (Posted July 10, 2022)

Angela French Angela French, age 55, of Connersville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 7, 2022, at Reid Health in Richmond. She was born on December 29, 1966, in Connersville, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Gaynell Louise Crawley Burch. She was united in marriage on April 13, 1985, to Gerald […] — (Posted July 10, 2022)

Donald Eugene “Gene” Berry Donald Eugene “Gene” Berry died in his sleep Wednesday evening, July 6, at Friends Fellowship Retirement Community. He was 96 years old. A lifelong resident of Wayne County, he worked for 37 years for Wayne Dairy, rising from a milkman, delivering door-to-door, to be manager overseeing relationships with dairy farmers. He retired with his wife, […] — (Posted July 8, 2022)

Alan D. Bowman Alan D. Bowman, 60, of Cambridge City, passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at his home. He was born in New Castle on October 24, 1961 to Howard J., and Marilyn J. (Vallandingham) Bowman and lived his entire life in this area. Alan, or “Big Al” as his friends called him, graduated from Lincoln […] — (Posted July 8, 2022)

Bessie Marie Tapley Bessie Marie Tapley, 94, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 1, 2022 at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following a brief illness. She was born on April 14, 1928, in Albany, Kentucky, a daughter of the late William “Bill” Lee and Myrtle (Means) Griffin. Bessie was a […] — (Posted July 8, 2022)

Deborah Ruth Riggs Deborah Ruth Riggs, 69, of New Castle, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center. She was born on February 19, 1953 in Ft. Benning, Georgia, a daughter of the late Alfred Lee and Ruth Ann (O’Brien) Hale. Debbie was a 1971 graduate of Union High School. She married the love […] — (Posted July 8, 2022)

Leah Ledington Leah Ledington, age 63, of Connersville, passed away on June 30, 2022, at Golden Rule in Richmond, where she had been a resident since February. Born in Connersville on October 10, 1958, she is one of four children of the late Donald E. and Goldie Darlene Conner Maze. Over the years, Leah had worked at […] — (Posted July 8, 2022)