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.

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)

Winifred Jean (Jeanie) Gray (Atkinson) Winifred Jean (Jeanie) Gray (Atkinson) earned her wings Wednesday, June 15th, at her home, from complications of CHF. She was born on November 28th, 1939 to Winfred L Atkinson (Ben) and Myrtle M Atkinson (Martin) in Hagerstown, IN. She was known to many as Jeanie or Winnie. The majority of her working, and even her […] — (Posted June 19, 2022)

Herbert “Buddy” F. Parvis Herbert “Buddy” F. Parvis, 85, passed away Friday morning, June 17, 2022 at his home in Connersville. One of five children of Herbert and Leora “Maude” Hayes Parvis, Herb was born in Connersville on July 1, 1936 and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1954. While attending high school, Herb was employed […] — (Posted June 19, 2022)

Sandra L. Albertson Sandra L. Albertson 74 of Richmond passed away June 16, 2022, at Reid Health after a long illness. She was born July 23, 1947, in Richmond to Edwin and June Deason Brewer, and with the exception of living with her daughter in Palm Dale, California for a short period; she lived in Richmond most of […] — (Posted June 17, 2022)

Johnnie B McGovern Sr. Johnnie B McGovern Sr, 94, entered his eternal rest on June 15, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at Reid Health. He was born October 9, 1927, in Irvine, KY, to the late Charles and Josephine McDonald McGovern. After serving his country in the US Marine Corp., he married his wife, Gertrude A Hart, and […] — (Posted June 17, 2022)

Debra Sue Kimberlin Debra Sue Kimberlin, age 51, passed away at Reid Health on June 14, 2022. She was born April 26, 1971, the daughter of Thomas Kimberlin and Charlotte Cline Kimberlin, in Dearborn, Michigan. Debra lived in Richmond, Indiana. She loved spending time with her two dogs: Sam and Red, and her three cats: Shadow, Hoss and […] — (Posted June 17, 2022)

Sondra Sue Brattain Sondra Sue Brattain, 81, New Castle, passed away Tuesday evening June 14, 2022 at Ascension St. Vincent, Anderson Regional Hospital, in Anderson, Indiana. A daughter of the late John Carlton and Estella (VanTyle) Bell, Sondra was born in Dublin, Indiana on May 24, 1941. She grew up in the Dublin community and graduated from Lincoln […] — (Posted June 17, 2022)

Virginia R. Baker Virginia R. Baker, age 79, of Richmond, IN, died Wednesday, June 14, 2022, at Golden LivingCenter – Golden Rule. Born July 8, 1942, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Bluford and Virginia Avis Fish Jordan. Survivors include her children, Gary Jordan and Lori Krick; grandchildren, Katelynn Krick, Ben Jordan and Hope Jordan. She was preceded in […] — (Posted June 17, 2022)

James A. “Goober” Oakes James A. “Goober” Oakes, age 81, of Richmond, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at his home. Born July 26, 1940, in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, to William Gaither and Vera Mae Bryant Oakes, Goober lived in Wayne County, Indiana most of his life. He worked as a truck […] — (Posted June 17, 2022)

Ida May Pierson Ida May Pierson, 57, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on June 11, 2022. She was born November 9, 1964 in Richmond, Indiana to Robert Marvin Pierson and Nora Marie Pierson (Swank). Ida lived in Richmond her whole life. She was a former employee of Wendy’s. She was a wonderful sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. Ida […] — (Posted June 16, 2022)

Martha Ann Berry Martha Ann Berry, age 81, of Liberty, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday June 13, 2022, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Born on February 19, 1941, in Richmond, IN, she was the daughter of the late Pearly Duffy Rowe and Thereatha May Rowe. Martha is a graduate of Richmond […] — (Posted June 16, 2022)

Bret D. Eddy Bret D. Eddy, 61, passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 14, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. A lifelong resident of Connersville, Bret was born on October 1, 1961 to Betty and the late George W. Eddy Jr. After graduating from Connersville High School in 1979, […] — (Posted June 16, 2022)

Windle “Levi” Shelton Windle “Levi” Shelton, 90, a resident of New Castle passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2022 at Glen Oaks Health Campus in New Castle. He was born September 6, 1931 in Albany, Kentucky, a son of the late Stanley and Cora (Jones) Shelton. Levi retired from Draper Corporation in 1995 and Sears & Roebuck Company in […] — (Posted June 16, 2022)

Helmut Franz Heepe Helmut Franz Heepe, age 80, of Richmond, Indiana, died peacefully at his home, Saturday, June 11, 2022, surrounded by family. Franz, as known by friends and family, because they couldn’t pronounce Helmut, was born in Dusseldorf, Germany on June 29, 1941, to Wilhelm and Walburga Brechman Heepe. Times were challenging in Germany during his childhood […] — (Posted June 15, 2022)

Dorothy R. Spaulding Dorothy R. Spaulding, 92, formerly of Connersville, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022 at Forest Park Health Campus, Richmond, Indiana. She was born May 3, 1930 in Connersville to Emmett T. and Roxie L. Abel Ramey, and she was a 1948 graduate of Connersville High School. On February 13, 1954, she married Leon R. Spaulding […] — (Posted June 15, 2022)

Melody L. Ott Melody L. Ott, age 70, passed away on June 7, 2022, at Heritage House of Connersville. She was born on October 1, 1951, in Connersville, the daughter of William Day and Esta Mae Walters Case. Melody worked as a nurse’s aide and custodian in several places over the years. She loved to dance and listen […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

David L. Dungan David L. Dungan 87 of Connersville passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. He was born on January 4, 1935 to the late Herbert Dungan and Helen Henry Dungan. David graduated Alquina High School in 1953. David served 2 years in the United States Army stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Polk, Louisiana. David […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Larry Duane Robinson Larry Duane Robinson, age 60, of College Corner, Ohio passed away on June 9, 2022, in Bath, Indiana from an accident on his family’s farm. Larry was born in Hamilton, Ohio on December 10, 1961, to Verdie “Pearl” McIntosh Robinson and the late Arthur Robinson. Larry is a graduate of Union County High School. Over […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Deborah L. Cook Deborah L. Cook, age 70, of Connersville, passed away on June 12, 2022, at Reid Healthcare in Richmond. She was born on February 21, 1952, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, one of three children of Dorothy Meyer Fleming and the late Robert Fleming, Sr. On September 19, 1980, she married Ralph Cook. They were able to share […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Iva Lee Alexander Iva Lee Alexander, 86, of New Castle and formerly of Shirley passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Heritage House in New Castle. She was born February 23, 1936 in Ruth, KY, a daughter of the late Henry Miles and Wilson Lucy Phelps. Iva was a member of the Greensboro Church of the Nazarene since […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Vicki M. Hinshaw Vicki M. Hinshaw, 77, of New Castle passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022 at her residence surrounded by her loved ones. She was born April 20, 1945 in New Castle, Indiana a daughter of the late John and Betty (Johnson) Conwell. Vicki was a 1963 graduate of Mt. Summit High School and a member of […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Alice Elaine Sulley Alice Elaine Sulley went to her eternal rest on Sunday, June 5, 2022, aged 96 years. She is pre-deceased by her husband, John Phillip Sulley. She was born March 25, 1926, in Hartford, Ct. to Charles and Anna Blomberg. The family eventually moved to Longfellow Avenue in Teaneck, N.J., where she met her future husband, […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Neldarie “Nell” L. Cole Neldarie “Nell” L. Cole, 86, of New Castle passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. She was born February 3, 1936 in Hammond, Louisiana to the late Frank and Maimie (Culbreath) Fauntleroy. Nell grew up in Hammond, Louisiana, the middle child of three. In 1954, she married Bob R. Cole. […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Paul Harris Paul Harris, 71, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022. He was born April 9, 1951 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late Kenneth B. Harris and Mary Lou (Beavers) Wiatt. He was a 1969 graduate of Blue River High School and attended Ball State University. Paul had worked at IMI […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Donald Michael (Mickey) Ballard Donald Michael (Mickey) Ballard, 84, passed away Thursday June 9, 2022, at Addison Place Assisted Living, New Castle, Indiana. He was born March 4, 1938, in New Castle, son of the late Donald G and Julia (Mayer) Ballard. Mickey was a 1956 graduate of New Castle High School. He was a hardworking family man devoting […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)

Levi Muncy, Jr. Levi Muncy, Jr. 91, a resident of New Castle passed away Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Heritage House of New Castle. He was born September 27, 1930 in New Castle to the late Levi, Sr. and Maggie (Smith) Muncy. A 1949 graduate of New Castle High School, he was a veteran of the U.S. Air […] — (Posted June 14, 2022)