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.

Susan R. Brown Susan R. Brown, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, March 25. Susan was the daughter of William E. Schwab, Sr. and Lou Adams Lincoln. She was a graduate of Richmond High School. She married Frederick D. “Fred” Brown on June 24, 1978. They shared 32 years of marriage before his death on December […] — (Posted March 28, 2022)

Michael B. “ShowDogg” Showalter Michael B. “ShowDogg” Showalter, 64, of Fountain City, passed away on Saturday, March 19. Mike was born in Winchester, Indiana on August 11, 1957 to Ralph & Barbara Campbell Showalter. Mike grew up in Fountain City and was a 1976 graduate of Northeastern High School, where he excelled on the basketball court. Mike began a […] — (Posted March 27, 2022)

Steven Joseph Holthouse Steven Joseph Holthouse passed away peacefully, with his son Scott and his brother Jerry by his side, on March 11, 2022, at the age of 71 in Richmond, IN. He was born to S.L. “Bud” and Marilyn Holthouse on May 11, 1950. In his earlier years, he worked for the family business, Holthouse Furniture, as a […] — (Posted March 27, 2022)

Ronald “Opie” Howard Ronald “Opie” Howard passed away in New Castle, Indiana, on March 22, 2022, at the age of 74. His nickname comes from Opie Taylor played by “the other Ron Howard” on The Andy Griffith Show. Ron joked that he and the Hollywood Ron were basically the same—except our “Opie” was a little older, had a […] — (Posted March 27, 2022)

Hannah E. Bear Hannah E. Bear, age 31, formerly of Richmond, died unexpectedly on Thursday (March 10, 2022) at her residence following complications from giving birth three weeks ago. She was born in Richmond on July 2, 1990 and had lived here most of her life before moving to Greenfield, Indiana. She worked for Applebee’s where she was […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Phyllis Bullock Phyllis Bullock died of a long illness, on March 23, 2022 at Golden Living Care Center. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio to Elden and Marie (Richardson) Estes. She was raised in Irvine, Kentucky by her mother and step-father Uri Hackworth. She went to school in a one room schoolhouse and spent most of her […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Patricia L. Davis Patricia L. Davis, age 67, a New Castle resident, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Henry Community Health. She was born October 5, 1954, in New Castle and was the daughter of Oliver Albert and Geneva Mae (Allen) Davis. Patricia attended Ivy Tech in Indianapolis where she received her bachelor’s degree. Patricia worked as […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Kenneth “Mark” Price Kenneth “Mark” Price, age 60, resident of Mooreland, went home to be with his Lord, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at I.U. Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born January 17, 1962, in New Castle, a son of Kenneth Murrell Price and Joyce Darlene Perdew. Mark was a 1980 graduate of New Castle High School. He […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Edward Duane “Big Ed” Hillard Edward Duane “Big Ed” Hillard, 70, of Richmond, died March 23, 2022, at Reid Health after an extended illness. He was born February 17, 1952, to Jess and Lena Marcella Shaffer Hillard and lived here most of his life. He worked for Natco for 20 years and Primex Plastics for 19 years. He was an […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Lizzie Mae Barrett Lizzie Mae Barrett, 105, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at Heritage House of Connersville where she had been a resident since September, 2019. She was born January 24, 1917 in Teges, Kentucky to William and Sudie Rogers Allen. She graduated from Oneida Baptist Institute High School in 1933 and went on to […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

William “Keith” Goff, Jr. William “Keith” Goff, Jr. 46, of New Castle, passed away Wednesday evening, March 23, 2022 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis surrounded by his wife and family. He was born March 27, 1975 in Maryland, a son of the late William Keith Goff, Sr. and Kristi (Keutimeier) Cleveland. Keith was born with a congenital heart […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Walter B. Atterson Walter B. Atterson, 93, of New Castle went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at his residence. He was born December 7, 1928 in Davidson, Tennessee to the late William Walter and Florence Belle Atterson. He spent his early years with Harvey and Hattie Fox in Kentucky and his teen […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Bernadette Marie Witte Bernadette Marie Witte, 74, of Richmond, IN, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, after a lengthy illness. She was born in Richmond to Francis John Witte and Frances Drake on September 14, 1947 and lived in Richmond most of her life. Bernadette was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She […] — (Posted March 25, 2022)

Rita L. Ripberger Rita L. Ripberger, age 81, of Liberty, passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at The Springs in Richmond. Born on August 31, 1940, in Hamilton, OH, she is the daughter of the late Loren and Bernice Dare. In June of 1965, she married James Ripberger in Liberty. They shared more than 48 years of […] — (Posted March 24, 2022)

Earl H. “Bud” Surber Earl H. “Bud” Surber, 94, of New Castle passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at Glen Oaks Health Campus. He was born June 1, 1927 in Tateville, KY to the late Otis and Flonnie (Walker) Surber. He retired from Borg Warner in Muncie following 42 years of service, and was a member of UAW #287. […] — (Posted March 24, 2022)

Walter R. Gray Walter R. Gray, age 82, Richmond, went to be with the Lord Tuesday March 22, 2022 at Ambassador Healthcare. He was born in Manchester, Ky on March 3, 1940 to Gus and Bam Howard Gray. Walter was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. He enjoyed bowling, going to family reunions, traveling to watch […] — (Posted March 23, 2022)

William A. “Bill” Smith William A. “Bill” Smith, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, died peacefully Sunday, March 20, 2022, at his home. Born March 6, 1943, in Richmond, Indiana, to Alfred and Elizabeth Sims Smith, Bill lived in this community his entire life. He retired as Director of Building & Grounds Maintenance for Wayne County after 18 years of […] — (Posted March 23, 2022)

Martha Tiernan Hartke Martha Tiernan Hartke. A locally- and nationally connected mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt has died. She was preceded in death by her husband, former U.S. Senator Vance Hartke. Her biggest love was her family, seven children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Martha was just six weeks short of her 102nd birthday when she died at Shenandoah Assisted […] — (Posted March 23, 2022)

Phyllis A. Sheppard Mrs. Phyllis A. Sheppard, 102, of Lynn, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 20. She was born in Richmond, Indiana on April 23, 1919 to Marco and Carmela Alterizio DeLucio. She was a 1937 graduate of Morton High School. She married Noble M. Sheppard on June 21, 1941. They shared 41 years of marriage […] — (Posted March 23, 2022)

Ricky Cline Ricky Cline, 68, Dublin, passed away early on the first day of Spring, Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville, Indiana. Born in Richmond, to Charles George and June Lyla Cline on July 6th, 1953, Ricky grew up in Middleboro and graduated from Richmond High School. Ricky lived his entire life in Wayne […] — (Posted March 22, 2022)

Elvina Williamson Elvina Williamson, 88, of New Castle, went to be with Jesus on Sunday evening, March 20, 2022 following an extended illness. She was born June 4, 1933 in Burr Oak, Michigan to the late Leo and Elizabeth (Nussbaum) Currier. In Michigan, Elvina worked at Kirsch Drapery Company. After moving to New Castle, she worked at […] — (Posted March 22, 2022)

James C. “Jim” Bennett James C. “Jim” Bennett, 80, a resident of Kokomo and formerly of New Castle passed away Friday, March 18, 2022 at St Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born April 10, 1941 in New Castle to the late Cecil Wood “Curley” and Mildred Irene (Godfrey) Bennett. Jim retired from Chrysler Corp. in 2003 after 37 […] — (Posted March 22, 2022)

William Todd William Todd, 77, died March 19, 2022 at Majestic Health in Connersville, Indiana. The third of five children of Wendell and Geraldine Harris Todd, he was born October 31, 1944 in Connersville. He was a 1962 graduate of Connersville High School. Bill was employed at various industries in Connersville including D&M and also at Carpenter […] — (Posted March 22, 2022)

Jimmy Doulen Jimmy Doulen, 72, of Connersville, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Reid Health, Richmond. He was born May 4, 1949 in Kentucky, one of five children of Oliver and Lucille Hazlet Doulen and came to Connersville as a child with his family. A veteran, he served in the United States Marine Corps. For a […] — (Posted March 22, 2022)

Norma Bishop Norma Bishop (nee Emrick) passed away of natural causes on March 20, 2022. She was raised in and around Eldorado, Ohio, graduated from Monroe High School in Preble County, and moved to Richmond, Indiana. She worked at Belden Wire in Richmond for 31 years until she retired in 1984. She was preceded in death by […] — (Posted March 22, 2022)

Judy Jenkins Judy Jenkins, 75, of Richmond, passed away at Reid Health on Tuesday, March 15. She was born Judith Marie Robinson on December 8, 1946 in Richmond, Indiana to Charles Edwin & Dorothy Lucille Lichtenfels Robinson, both of whom preceded her in death. Judy was a 1965 graduate of Centerville High School. Judy formerly worked in […] — (Posted March 21, 2022)

Richard W. Coffman Sr. Richard W. Coffman Sr., 80, Lewisville, passed away early Saturday morning March 19, 2022 at his home with his wife and son at his side. A son of the late Burton and Ada Coffman, Richard was born in Rush County, Indiana on May 24, 1941. Richard was a longtime member of the Lewisville community and […] — (Posted March 21, 2022)

Johnnie E Douglas Johnnie E Douglas, Richmond, was born in Fairfield Alabama, to parents Walter and Laura Douglas. The Youngest of three sons, Johnnie retired after working 30 years from Dana Corp Plant 6. He was a Vice President and life time member of the NAACP (Richmond chapter), Former Commander of the American Legion #359, Former leader of […] — (Posted March 19, 2022)

Henry Cole Henry Cole, 74, Winchester, passed away in his home on March 17, 2022. He was born on September 12, 1947, in Hamilton, Ohio, to William and Pauline (Peters) Cole. Henry attended Richmond High School. On June 20, 1998, Henry married Janice (Mills) Woods. Henry worked at D&M in Connersville and OMCO Cast Metals in Winchester. […] — (Posted March 19, 2022)

David “Doc” Gene O’Conner, Jr. David “Doc” Gene O’Conner, Jr., age 52, passed away at Reid Health on March 15, 2022. He was born July 22, 1969, the son of David O’Conner Sr. and Wilma O’Conner. David was born in Richmond, Indiana, and had lived here his whole life. He never met a stranger and was liked by anyone who […] — (Posted March 19, 2022)