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.

Ronald Emerson DeMao, Sr. Ronald Emerson DeMao, Sr., a man of great faith, a dedicated family man, and a gift to the golf community of Richmond and beyond, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Reid Hospital on March 12, 2022. Ron was born June 6, 1935, in Arnold, Pennsylvania to Salvatore and Loretta DeMao who preceded him in […] — (Posted March 15, 2022)

Joan Marie Rose Joan Marie Rose, 85, of Richmond, passed away March 13, 2022, at AMG Specialty Hospital in Greenfield after a long illness. She was born April 7, 1936, in Richmond to William and Helen Savel Toney and lived in this area most of her life. Joan retired from McSherr Inc.; she was a great artist and […] — (Posted March 15, 2022)

Dorothy M. Johnson Dorothy M. Johnson, age 81, of New Castle, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022. She was born April 14, 1940, in Albany, Kentucky to the late Roy E. & Birtha (Pennycuff) Graham. Dorothy spent over 40 years working in the dietary department at Heritage House Nursing Home and Raintree Square Retirement Home. She enjoyed going […] — (Posted March 15, 2022)

Delbert Lee Miller Delbert Lee Miller, 82, of Connersville, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Reid Hospital in Richmond. He was born January 10, 1940 in College Corner, Indiana. One of two sons of Max and Rada Lainhart Miller. On August 27, 1960, he was married at the Eastside Methodist Church to Joan Adams. Mrs. Miller survives. […] — (Posted March 15, 2022)

Daryl Wesley Steele Daryl Wesley Steele, 46, formerly of Laurel passed away Monday, March 7, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana . One of three children of Daryl and Julie Wagers Steele, Daryl was born in Connersville on September 5, 1975. Survivors include his mother, Julie Steele of Laurel; two brothers, Bobby Steele of Hamilton, Ohio and Jesse McQueen of […] — (Posted March 15, 2022)

Gracie Ann Niesen Gracie Ann Niesen, age 70, passed away at Golden Living Center-Golden Rule Nursing Home on March 3, 2022. She was born June 18, 1951, to Sherman and Madge Napier, in Hazard County, Kentucky. Gracie had worked as a C.N.A. most of her adult life. She loved bingo, board games, old cowboy movies, and the company […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Nina Lynn (Barksdale) Pryor Nina Lynn (Barksdale) Pryor of Richmond, passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at AMG Specialty Care in Greenfield, IN. Nina was born April 1, 1952, in Rushville, IN., the daughter of Nina Jean (Morris) and Melvin Barksdale. She was raised and lived in Connersville for the majority of her life where she attended Connersville […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Eugene Keith Wilson Eugene Keith Wilson, 78, of Connersville passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at his home. One of four children of Graves and Phyllis VanMeter Wilson, Gene was born in Batesville, Indiana on November 22, 1943 and graduated from Brookville High School with the class of 1962. On August 2, 1969, Gene married the former Peggy […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

David M. Lykins David M. Lykins, 76, of Connersville, died Monday, March 7, 2022 at his residence. Dave was born October 11, 1945 in Connersville to Carl C. Sr. and Patsy York Lykins. He was a 1963 graduate of Connersville High School. Dave enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War. […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Mark A. McCowan Mark A. McCowan, 64, of Connersville, passed away Friday March 11, 2022 at his residence following a battle with brain cancer. He was born March 11, 1958 in Connersville. One of five children of Delver and Betty Jane Kelley McCowan. Mark was a tool and die maker for 25 years and in 1997, joined his […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Ruth Anne Cassiday Pittinger Ruth Anne Cassiday Pittinger, 74 of Richmond, passed away Wednesday March 9, 2022. Born on July 30, 1947, in Rush County, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late James Raymond Cassiday and Martha Leslie Reeves Cassiday and was the beloved wife of 53 years to Curt Pittinger. She was a bookkeeper for 19 years […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Charlotte M. Bartram Charlotte M. Bartram, age 90, Greens Fork, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Reid Health. Born January 7, 1932, in Williamsburg to Carl E. and Allene Stiens, Charlotte lived in Wayne County most of her life. She graduated from Williamsburg High School and attended IU. One of Charlotte’s passions was raising and showing American […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Randy Lee Smith Randy Lee Smith, 68, of Richmond, died March 5, 2022, at Friends Fellowship community. He graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in Social Studies and Education. Randy taught school at the secondary level in Utah. He organized and served as principal in an Alternative High School in Virginia. Randy went on to Law School […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Debbie Wallen Debbie Wallen, 56, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, March 10th, 2022 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. Debbie was born on June 16th, 1965 in New Castle, Indiana. She lived most of her life in the Western Wayne area. She loved traveling, especially to New York City and Bristol Tennessee. Debbie was […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Gen Phenis Gen Phenis, age 91, of Centerville, Indiana, died Monday, March 14, 2022, at Arbor Trace. Born May 2, 1930, in Richmond, Indiana, to Clarence and Geneva Schneider Taube, Gen was a life-long resident of this community. She worked as a seamstress. Gen was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church, where she served as […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Ronda L. King Ronda L. King, age 60, passed away at Reid Health on March 12, 2022. She was born June 16, 1961, to John and Edyth Brewer, in Kenton County, Kentucky. Ronda had lived in Wayne County most of her life. She loved watching TV and talking on the telephone. She enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, camping and […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Hazel Oladine Noel Hazel Oladine Noel, 96, of Richmond, passed away March 10, 2022, at Rosebud Village. She was born June 23, 1925, to Jesse and Haidee Leona Woods Noel. Hazel was proud of the fact that she was from Milton and took every opportunity to tell people. She was well-loved by everyone who knew her; Hazel was […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Jane Turner Reeder Jane Turner Reeder, 80, of West Manchester died peacefully on Sunday, March 13, 2022. She passed quietly to her Heavenly Home surrounded by her husband and loving family. Jane was born December 17, 1941 at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. She was the daughter of the late Fremont and Opal Eyler Turner and has been […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Benjamin Franklin “Ben” Perry III Benjamin Franklin “Ben” Perry III, age 59, of Centerville, Indiana, died Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Reid Health. Born January 15, 1963, in Richmond, Indiana, to Benjamin Jr. and Billie Seniour Perry, Ben was a life-long resident of this community. He attended Centerville High School. Ben worked in the logging industry, and he was a […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Everett J. Isaacs Everett J. Isaacs, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Golden LivingCenter – Golden Rule. Born April 11, 1927, in Drip Rock, Kentucky, to Isaac and Mollie Alcorn Isaacs, Everett lived in Richmond most of his life. He was a tool and die maker, who retired from MEG in Cambridge City, […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Sonya Gruell Sonya Gruell, age 86, formerly of Connersville, passed away on March 9, 2022 at her home in Hagerstown. She was born on November 8, 1935, on five children of the late Thomas and Lillian Whipple Gruell. Sonya retired from working for over 40 years at Audrey’s Dress Shop in Connersville and Cambridge City and at […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Richard Larry “Rich” Young Richard Larry “Rich” Young, 75, passed away Saturday morning March 12, 2022 at Golden Rule Nursing Home in Richmond, Indiana where he had been a resident for the past four days. A son of the late Robert Lee and Mamie Alice (Cate) Young, Rich was born in Dalton, Georgia on March 30, 1946. Following graduation […] — (Posted March 14, 2022)

Monsignor Joseph G. Riedman Monsignor Joseph G. Riedman, 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Connersville with his family by his side on Friday evening, March 4, 2022. He was born at home during “the worst part of the depression” on Feb. 20, 1929 in Connersville, IN. He was the seventh of eight children of Joseph J. and […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

John E. Wolfe John E. Wolfe, 81, of Connersville went home to be with the Lord Monday, March 7, 2022 at Caroleton Health Care. He had been in failing health for the past four years. One of five children of Henry and Elsie Brown Wolfe, John was born on June 12, 1940 in Elwood, Indiana. He came to […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

Mary Ann Freeman Mary Ann Freeman, 50, of Connersville passed away Sunday afternoon, March 6, 2022 at Reid Health, Richmond. The youngest of two children of John Russell and Brenda Hinds McIver, Mary Ann was born in Connersville on June 28, 1971 and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1988. She was employed at Visteon […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

Mark L Carter Mark L Carter, 61, of New Castle passed after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, March 6, 2022. He was born August 29, 1960 in New Castle to William L. and Bonnie Lou (Craig) Carter. A 1978 graduate of Delta High School in Muncie, Mark was presently a Maintenance Supervisor at Allison Transmission in […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

William Joseph “Bill” Kaiser William Joseph “Bill” Kaiser, 75, Straughn, passed away early Monday morning, March 7th, 2022, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. Bill was born in Great Bend, Kansas, on July 17th, 1946. Formerly of Richmond, Bill made his home in rural Straughn for the past 15 years. Bill served his country with honor in the United […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

Olive M. Ranck Mrs. Olive M. Ranck passed away peacefully on Friday evening, March 4, at Friends Fellowship Community. She was born Olive Mae Beals in Richmond, Indiana on August 21, 1929, the daughter of Jesse Franklin and Della M. Snyder Beals. Mrs. Ranck was a 1947 graduate of Richmond High School. She was a 1951 graduate of […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

Elmo Lynch Elmo Lynch, 89, of Connersville, died Monday, March 7, 2022 at Reid Health in Richmond. Elmo was born November 5, 1932 in Owsley County, Kentucky to Wiley I. and Allie Lynch. He was raised in McKee, Kentucky prior to moving to the Connersville area in 1954. Elmo married the former Marilyn Marie Drew on March […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

Charlie Wilson Charlie Wilson, 75, of Losantville, IN, beloved husband, dad, and grandpa passed away suddenly March 5th, 2022 with his wife of 53 years by his side. He was a man of integrity, wisdom, and great skill. He was the go-to person in the community. Many called upon him for advice and guidance. Charlie, son of […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)