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.

Ramona Crawford Ramona Crawford, age 69, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 28, 2022. Ramona was born on January 21, 1953, one of ten children of the late Eston and Veron Richardson Steele. She was united in marriage on November 5, 1994, to Raymond E. Crawford in Connersville. They spend 18 years […] — (Posted July 1, 2022)

Elizabeth Josephine Klingman Elizabeth Josephine Klingman, 99, of Greensburg, Indiana passed away Thursday, June 29, 2022 at Morning Breeze Healthcare Center in Greensburg, Indiana. One of two daughters of Eugene J. and Ethelyn J. Bray Moran, Elizabeth was born in Connersville on May 27, 1923 and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1941. Elizabeth married […] — (Posted July 1, 2022)

Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis, age 79, of Connersville passed away peacefully at his home on June 18, 2022. Born April 23, 1943, to his parents, the late Alden and Edna Mae Lake Lewis, he was a 1961 graduate of Alquina High School and graduated from Ball State University with a degree in accounting. He was a […] — (Posted July 1, 2022)

Eric Lee Moore Eric Lee Moore, 63, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday morning, June 29, 2022 at his residence after a courageous six-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born February 11, 1959 in Connersville, one of three children of Cleamont and Gayle Rusterholz Moore, and he was a 1977 graduate of Brookville High School. From there, he […] — (Posted July 1, 2022)

Matthew Ryan Knight Matthew Ryan Knight, age 36, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away tragically on Sunday, June 26, 2022. He was born on March 22, 1986, in Union City, Indiana, to Eric and Jenny (Farmer) Knight. Matt resided in Ohio, Tennessee, and back again. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, William Conley, and Audrey Farmer; […] — (Posted July 1, 2022)

David Allen Layman Pastor David Allen Layman, 74, of Noblesville, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on June 2, 1948 to Allen and Roslyn (English) Layman in Richmond, Indiana. The church was the most central part of David’s life as he was raised as the son of a […] — (Posted June 30, 2022)

Alberta Thomas Alberta Thomas 79, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on June 28, 2022. She was born on June 20, 1943 in Oneida, Kentucky to Robert and Rhoda Callahan Samples. Alberta is survived by her children Tammy (Nick) Jones, Tommy Thomas, Darrell Thomas; step son Ricky Thomas; sister Sue Presby; brother Mike Samples; grandchildren Ashlyn Thomas, Nick […] — (Posted June 30, 2022)

Brenda Ellen (Smith) Thomas Brenda Ellen (Smith) Thomas 72, of New Castle, passed away on June 29, 2022, at Glen Oaks Health Campus after a long battle with sickness. Brenda was born January 13, 1950, in Schmitt Memorial Hospital in Beardstown, IL., to the late Glen Smith Jr. and Ruby Ellen (Miller) Smith. Brenda lived in Astoria, IL. She […] — (Posted June 30, 2022)

Melanie Ruth Katte Banning Gunder Melanie Ruth Katte Banning Gunder was born in Richmond, Indiana on January 29, 1941, to Helen and Leonard Katte. Melanie was one of twelve children, with sisters Marjory Killen, Alice Spencer, Charlotte Keesling, Deborah Kirtley, and brother, Robert White, who are all still alive and kicking. Aunt Chicky, as she was lovingly called by nieces […] — (Posted June 30, 2022)

Josephine McConnell Josephine McConnell, age 87, of Greenfield, Indiana, died Saturday, June 25, 2022, at home surrounded by her family. She was born June 9, 1935, in Blytheville, Arkansas, to Willard and Gladys Womack Hall. Josephine was a devoted mother who raised six beautiful girls while working as a waitress. After her girls were grown, she went […] — (Posted June 30, 2022)

James Lee Taylor James Lee Taylor, 76, passed away at Brickyard Healthcare – Golden Rule Care Center on Monday afternoon, June 27, 2022. Born on September 23, 1946, Jim was the son of Robert and Ruth Whitton Taylor. He lived most of his life in Abington, with his wife Catherine Nocton Taylor. They were married on July 11, […] — (Posted June 30, 2022)

Patricia “Patty” Louise May Patricia “Patty” Louise May, age 90, of Centerville, Indiana, peacefully passed Monday, June 27, 2022 at home. Born June 28, 1931, in Goshen, Indiana, to Jyle N. and Bernice B. Beard May. Patty was a life-long resident of Centerville. She worked at Swain Robinson for many years, was the secretary at Centerville Elementary School, and […] — (Posted June 30, 2022)

Devon Shane Parker Devon Shane Parker 29 of Richmond was born June 22, 1993; He passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2022, in New Haven, Connecticut after living in Las Vegas for the last three years. Devon was a class of 2012 Richmond High School Graduate. Devon loved music and was a gifted singer; he liked to travel. […] — (Posted June 28, 2022)

Norman Douglas “Doug” Owens Norman Douglas “Doug” Owens, 83, of Lynn, IN, passed away Friday, June 24, 2022, at his home. He was born March 6, 1939, in Winchester, IN the son of Cleo and Idris (Morris) Owens. He was a 1957 graduate of Lynn High School. Doug received his Bachelor of Science in 1966, graduate of Tri-State University, […] — (Posted June 28, 2022)

Martha R. Riddle Martha R. Riddle, age 80, passed away at her residence surrounded by her loving family in New Castle, Indiana Sunday, June 26, 2022. She was born March 23, 1942, in Coldwater, Michigan, a daughter of the late Leslie and Allie Mae (Hatcher) Riddle. She was a 1959 graduate of Walter P. Chrysler Memorial High School […] — (Posted June 28, 2022)

Betty Jean Rose Betty Jean Rose, Connersville, IN, went to be with the Lord on June 25th, 2022. She was born in Monroe County, West Virginia to Merton F Burns and Ruth (Dowdy) Burns. She was 13 years old when she moved with her family to Connersville. She attended Connersville schools. She was married to Nelson Rose on […] — (Posted June 28, 2022)

Rex Browning Rex Browning, age 65, of Connersville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday June 25, 2022. Rex was born on August 24, 1956, one of ten children of the late Robert and Lottie Roberts Browning. He had attended Crosspointe Biker Church. When not doing automotive body work, he enjoyed fishing. Above all, he loved spending time with […] — (Posted June 28, 2022)

Jane Kathryn Johnson Jane Kathryn Johnson, age 77, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away Friday, June 24, 2022, with her family gathered near. Born March 14, 1945, in Indianapolis, to Dr. George M. and Mary L. Millis Johnson, Jane grew up in Richmond, Indiana and lived in Indianapolis most of her adult life. She held a BS from IUPUI […] — (Posted June 28, 2022)

Virginia “Ginny” Linegar Virginia “Ginny” Linegar, age 91, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Brickyard Healthcare – Golden Rule Care Center. Born June 14, 1931, in Staten Island, New York, to George and Mable Moss, Ginny had lived in this area since 1984. She worked for more than 10 years at the Richmond Senior Center. […] — (Posted June 27, 2022)

Clay Allen Purnell Clay Allen Purnell, 25, of New Castle passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022 following injuries sustained in an auto accident. He was born September 11, 1996 in New Castle to Melonie (Black) Friddle and Ryan Purnell. Clay attended New Castle High School and later earned his GED through IVY Tech Community College. He had worked […] — (Posted June 27, 2022)

Heather Lyn Crocker Wiland Heather Lyn Crocker Wiland, a caring mother, partner, daughter, sister, and friend, left this world suddenly and unexpectedly on June 24, 2022 at the age of 38. She was born to Robert Lee and Rhonda Sue Crocker on December 21, 1983. To know Heather during her childhood was to know daring feats of bravery. She […] — (Posted June 27, 2022)

Janet Loreen (Painter) Craft Janet Loreen (Painter) Craft, 74, was born in Henry County Memorial Hospital to Lowell and Eileen (Stubbs) Painter on July 3, 1947. She was raised in rural Spiceland and attended Spiceland Schools. She graduated from Spiceland High School in 1965. Upon graduation, she worked at the Henry County Memorial Hospital pharmacy as an aide and […] — (Posted June 27, 2022)

Sara Judith Roettger Sara Judith Roettger, 86, of Connersville passed away Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Reid Health, Richmond. One of five children of George A. Bertha Clark Britton, Sara was born on August 5, 1935 and graduated from Connersville High School. On December 31, 1954, Sara married Arthur L. Roettger in Connersville. Mr. Roettger passed away on […] — (Posted June 26, 2022)

Harlee Elaine Pollitt Harlee Elaine Pollitt, 16, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Miami Valley Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio following a vehicular accident that occurred in Union County, Indiana. One of four children of Brian Scott and Gladys Renee Wren Pollitt, Harlee was born on December 13, 2005 in New Castle, Indiana. She was a student at […] — (Posted June 26, 2022)

Linda Dee Wolfe Linda Dee Wolfe, 60, of New Castle passed away on June 19, 2022 at Henry Community Health in New Castle. She was born November 1, 1961 in Clarksville, Indiana. Linda is survived by her forever best-friend Andrea, longtime BC, Karen Spangler, Jessica, who had to be told about everything before things were done, Stephanie and […] — (Posted June 26, 2022)

Sarah Marie Reece Sarah Marie Reece, 38, of Greenfield passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Hancock Regional Hospital following a brief battle with bone cancer. She was born November 1, 1983 in Indianapolis to Russell Reece and Melissa (Gibson) Low. Sarah was a 2002 graduate of Greenfield Central High School and later attended Indiana Business College for […] — (Posted June 26, 2022)

Ralph E. Leduc Ralph E. Leduc, 69, of New Castle passed away Thursday, June 23, 2022 at his residence. He was born June 5, 1953 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late Lionel “Bill” and Barbara (Brown) Leduc. He was a 1971 graduate of New Castle High School. Ralph had worked in construction and enjoyed woodworking. […] — (Posted June 26, 2022)

Marvin E. Cook Marvin E. Cook, 79, of Brookville passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 following a four year battle with Alzheimer’s. Marvin was born in Connersville on October 17, 1942, to William and Kathleen Murphy Cook. He was in the Brookville High School graduating class of 1960. Marvin married […] — (Posted June 26, 2022)

Larry W. “Poppi” Wilson Sr. Larry W. “Poppi” Wilson Sr. 74 of Richmond died unexpectedly surrounded by his family on June 25, 2022, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born June 25, 1948, in London, Kentucky to Odes and Anna Woodall Wilson and lived here most of his life. He was an antique dealer and owned Larry’s Antiques. Larry […] — (Posted June 26, 2022)

Herbert “Tom” Thomas Caldwell Herbert “Tom” Thomas Caldwell, age 89, of New Castle, passed away Monday, June 20, 2022, at his residence. He was born October 29, 1932, in Owingsville, Kentucky, a son of the late Elmer Dolphus and Lillie (Purvis) Caldwell. Tom was a U.S. Army veteran where he served as Paratrooper SFC in the Korean War from […] — (Posted June 24, 2022)