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.

Thomas Charles Cromer, Sr. Thomas Charles Cromer, Sr., age 76, passed away at Reid Health on June 30, 2022. He was born January 30, 1946, the son of Charles and Marjorie Cromer, in Long Island, New York. He is survived by his caregiver and companion of many years: Susan Williamson; and four children: Thomas Jr., Kelly, Brian and Quinn […] — (Posted July 3, 2022)

Keith B. Williams Keith B. Williams, 71, of Mt. Summit passed away Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Community North Heart and Vascular Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born January 29, 1951 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of Lloyd and Daphne (Rifner) Williams. One word that best describes Keith would be, Warrior. Through all of his health issues […] — (Posted July 3, 2022)

Brenda Kay Cunningham Brenda Kay Cunningham, 68, of Cadiz, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at her residence. She was born on May 16, 1954 in Dayton, OH, a daughter of the late Archer and Nancy (Groves) Neeley. Brenda grew up in Anderson area and had lived in both Muncie and New Castle. She is survived by the […] — (Posted July 3, 2022)

Donald Lee Mikesell Donald Lee Mikesell, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the home he loved. Born October 31, 1927, in Richmond, Indiana, to Pharon and Grace Wilson Mikesell, Don was a proud life-long resident of Richmond, graduating from Richmond High School in 1945. Upon turning age 18, Don joined the US Navy […] — (Posted July 3, 2022)

Carl Bradley “Brad” Lindsey Jr. Carl Bradley “Brad” Lindsey Jr., age 76, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 1, 2022. Brad was born August 22, 1945, in Dayton, Ohio, to Carl Bradley and Iva Linebaugh Lindsey Sr. He was raised in a military family and was a 1964 graduate of Frankfurt American High School in Germany. Brad […] — (Posted July 3, 2022)

Sondra S. Himelick Mrs. Sondra S. Himelick, 83, formerly of Fountain City, passed away on Wednesday, June 29 at IU Health Ball Memorial in Muncie, Indiana. Sondra was born on April 27, 1939 in Richmond, Indiana to Joseph W. & Helen E. Turner Thalls. She was a 1957 graduate of Fountain City High School. She was united in […] — (Posted July 1, 2022)

Stanley LeRoy Johnson Stanley LeRoy Johnson, age 74, passed away at Reid Health on June 30, 2022. He was born June 7, 1948, to Earl and Adele Johnson, in Richmond, Indiana. Stanley was a resident of Richmond; and also known to many as Stanley or Stoney. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Stanley attended […] — (Posted July 1, 2022)

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)