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.

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)

Nathan Owen Rhoades Nathan Owen Rhoades, 47, died on Saturday June 11, 2022. He was born in Richmond, IN on December 2, 1974, to Randy and Cynthia Rhoades. He graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1993. He later attended IU East to pursue his interest in computers. This interest led him to repairing computers and TVs. Nathan was […] — (Posted June 24, 2022)

Charlin Ann Oliver Charlin Ann Oliver, age 79, passed away at Reid Health on June 22, 2022. She was born July 13, 1942, the daughter of Vernon and Vaudrine Warner, in Dekalb, Illinois. Family and friends may visit Community Family Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Send online condolences to the […] — (Posted June 24, 2022)

Marvin Dale Longenecker Marvin Dale Longenecker, age 84 of Richmond, Ind., passed away at Bradford Place on Friday, June 17, 2022. Marvin was born in New Paris, OH on May 12, 1938 to the late Howard and Osa B. (Smoot) Longenecker. Marvin was a proud graduate of Phillipsburg High School, class of 1956. After high school, he enlisted […] — (Posted June 24, 2022)

Ollie Mae Miller Ollie Mae Miller, age 75, passed away at Reid Health on June 23, 2022. She was born July 9, 1946, the daughter of William and Georgia Davis, in Duff, Tennessee. Funeral services will be held at Community Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 7:00 PM. Family and friends may visit the funeral […] — (Posted June 24, 2022)

Bobby V. McCartt Bobby V. McCartt, 83, of Indianapolis, and formerly of New Castle, passed away Thursday morning, June 23, 2022 at University Heights Health Care in Indianapolis. He was born March 21, 1939 in Stearns, KY, a son of the late Robert Vernon and Marian (Privett) McCartt. A 1957 graduate of New Castle High School, Bobby graduated […] — (Posted June 24, 2022)

Janice F. Caldwell Janice F. Caldwell 84 of Richmond died June 22, 2022, at Golden Living after a short illness. She was born December 7, 1937, in New Castle, IN to Hollie and Sarah Mercer Browning and lived in this area most of her life. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church. She and her husband Paul […] — (Posted June 24, 2022)

Thomas J. Gilbert Thomas J. Gilbert, 81, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Heritage House of Connersville. He was born November 3, 1940 in Richmond, Indiana. In 1942, he moved to Connersville with his family, and he was a 1959 graduate of Connersville High School. A veteran, he served his county in the United States […] — (Posted June 23, 2022)

William “Bill” Austerman II William “Bill” Austerman II, 58, of Connersville passed away unexpectedly in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. A son of William and Betty Adams Austerman, Bill was born in Richmond, Indiana on October 26, 1963 and graduated from Centerville High School with the class of 1981. From there, he attended Earlham College, […] — (Posted June 23, 2022)

Marvin “Boony” Penley Jr. Marvin “Boony” Penley Jr. 62 of Connersville passed away June 22, 2022, at Hickory Creek of Connersville. He was born July 5, 1959, in Ashville, NC to Marvin Penley Sr. and Zella Gosnell Bouley; he lived in this area most of his life. He worked in heating and air. He is survived by his mother […] — (Posted June 23, 2022)

Aaron Scott Abney Aaron Scott Abney, age 28, passed away at his residence on June 21, 2022. He was born June 15, 1994, the son of Trent and Kiffany Abney, in Richmond, Indiana. Public visitation will be held at Community Family Funeral Home on Monday, June 27, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The funeral service will […] — (Posted June 23, 2022)

Judy K. “Sunshine” Holtsberry Judy K. “Sunshine” Holtsberry went home to heaven on 6/20/22. She was born in Rochester, NY in 1944. She lived in many places including Marion, Oh; Richmond, IN; Fort Payne, AL; and Jefferson City, MO. She was a cosmetologist in her younger years and then became a homemaker. She was also employed by Houston Mfg. […] — (Posted June 23, 2022)

Billy “Bill” Vern York Billy “Bill” Vern York, 81, of Connersville, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Reid Health, Richmond. The son of George York and Renavae Fields Callahan, Bill was born February 12, 1941 in Whitesburg, Kentucky. He graduated from Whitesburg High School. On June 25, 1987, he married Loretta Cupp in Richmond, Kentucky. Mrs. York survives. […] — (Posted June 21, 2022)

Edward Lee Hamilton Edward Lee Hamilton, 75, of New Castle passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 19, 2022 at The Waters of New Castle. He was born on April 24, 1947 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late Richard and Pearl (Padgett) Hamilton. Ed grew up in New Castle in Sunnyside. He was a 1965 graduate […] — (Posted June 21, 2022)

Richard “Jay” French Richard “Jay” French, 73, of New Castle passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday, June 18, 2022 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on July 12, 1948 in New Castle, IN, a son of the late David and Mary Jane French. Jay graduated from Union High School in 1966. Jay served […] — (Posted June 21, 2022)

Shirley Loraine Forrester Shirley Loraine Forrester, age 85, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, June 20, 2022, at Reid Health. Born October 16, 1936, in Brookville, Indiana, to Francis and Hazel Smith Jones, Shirley had lived in Richmond since 1942. She was a seamstress. Survivors include her daughter, Robin Blackwell of Richmond; nieces; nephews; and many friends. She was […] — (Posted June 21, 2022)

David Eugene Gabbard David Eugene Gabbard, age 68, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Reid Health. Born August 14, 1953, in Richmond, Indiana, to Aaron Gabbard and Georgia Hensley Gabbard Moore, David was a life-long resident of Richmond. He was self-employed as an antique dealer. David enjoyed playing the guitar, especially music from the Eagles, […] — (Posted June 21, 2022)

Sherrill Kay Umbstead (née Lighter) Sherrill Kay Umbstead (née Lighter), a beloved wife and mother, began her eternal journey with the Lord on Thursday, June 16th, 2022, due to complications from her chronic illness of Sjögren’s syndrome. She was 55 years old. Sherri is survived by her husband, David Paul Umbstead; her daughter, Kimberly Ann Umbstead; her mother, Sandra Joan […] — (Posted June 21, 2022)

Oren D. Isaacs, Jr. Oren D. Isaacs, Jr., age 49 formerly of Connersville, passed away on June 15, 2022, at his home in Indianapolis. Oren was in failing health, but his death was unexpected. Born on August 12, 1972, the son of the late Oren Isaacs, Sr. and Sue Griffin Boughner. He enjoyed MMA fights, playing poker and card, […] — (Posted June 21, 2022)

Gordon Eugene Black Gordon Eugene Black was born on August 19, 1959, in Richmond Indiana. The son of Billy Eugene and Ruby Carol Black. Gordon passed away peacefully with his wife and daughters by his side at Reid Memorial Hospital on June 18, 2022. He is preceded in death by his Grandparents, his father Billy Black who passed […] — (Posted June 19, 2022)