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.

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)

John Arthur Puckett John Arthur Puckett, 78, Dublin, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2022, after an extended illness, with his family by his side. John was born on May 17, 1943 in Henry County to Howard and Kathleen Puckett. After Howard’s death, Kathleen remarried to Willie (Spike) Raines. John grew up outside of New Lisbon and graduated […] — (Posted March 9, 2022)

Paul Edward Smeigh Paul Edward Smeigh, age 75, passed away on March 4, 2022 at Reid Health. He was born in Altoona, PA to Donald and Jean Smeigh and has lived in the Richmond community since he was five years old. Paul was a High School graduate and an Army veteran, serving in Vietnam. He married Diane Kanke, […] — (Posted March 8, 2022)

Robert William Swaim Robert William Swaim’s chains that bound him on earth were released Friday, March 4 at the age of 95. He was the youngest of Elvin and Cora Swaim’s children, born April 26, 1926. He grew up on a farm in Economy, Indiana with his two brothers and five sisters. He took care of the guinea […] — (Posted March 8, 2022)

Benjamin David Anderson Benjamin was born to Richard and Kathleen Anderson in Richmond, Indiana, where he lived for most of his life. Ben was an entrepreneur and a skilled tradesman. Ben’s greatest accomplishment was his son, Emitt, who was his whole world. He loved Emitt more than words could express. Ben lit up every room he walked into […] — (Posted March 8, 2022)

Edward Lee Wilson, Sr. Edward Lee Wilson, Sr., 78, of Connersville, passed away Sunday, February 27, 2022 at his home. He was born July 23, 1943 in Connersville to Robert O. and Arveedus Vest Wilson. On January 27, 1967, he married Mary Elaine Griffin in Metamora, Indiana. Mrs. Wilson survives. For several years, he worked locally at D&M and […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Ronald W. “Bill” Chomel Ronald W. “Bill” Chomel, 87, a lifelong resident of Connersville, passed away Friday morning, March 4, 2022 at Heritage House where he had been a resident since 2019. He was born October 28, 1934 in Connersville, one of six children of George and Katheren Breitenbach Chomel. On October 27, 1956, he was married to Rebecca […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Robert E. Heitzman Robert E. Heitzman, age 67, of Richmond, passed away at his residence on February 23, 2022. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on April 25, 1954 and was a graduate of Richmond High School. He leaves 4 siblings Theresa Clegg of Winchester, IN, Larry Heitzman of Richmond, IN, Gary Joe Hetizman of Zephyrhills, FL and […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Laneal E. Hilbert Laneal E. Hilbert, 65, of Cambridge City, died Friday, March 4, 2022, at Reid Health. He was born in New Castle on January 15, 1957 to Lewis and Sarah (Shafer) Hilbert and was a life long resident of Wayne County. Laneal was a 1975 graduate of Hagerstown High School. He was a farmer, a member […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Harold Arthur Raver Jr. Harold Arthur Raver Jr. age 91 of Richmond, Indiana passed from this earth to be with Jesus during the early morning hours of March 5, 2022. His passing was after a brief illness that followed a major stroke he had during surgery. Harold was born on March 29, 1930, to Harold A. Raver Sr. and […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Marshall Daugherty Marshall Daugherty, age 96, passed away on Friday March 4, 2022 at The Springs of Richmond. He was born in Darke County, Ohio on July 4, 1925 to Russell and Esther (Alexander) Daugherty. Marshall was a high school graduate and a WWII Navy veteran as a Gunner in the Armed Guard Division. He was married […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Deloris May Hodel Deloris May Hodel, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Reid Health after a short illness. Deloris was born on May 27, 1935, in Darke County, Ohio, to John and Minnie Brinley and raised on a small farm in Nashville, Ohio. She lived in Ohio until 1968, when she and […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Patricia Elaine “Trish” Jenkins Jenkins, Patricia Elaine “Trish”, age 82 of Trotwood, passed away at home with her family by her side on Saturday, March 5, 2022. She was a member of Precious Blood Catholic Church. Trish was an avid bowler for over 48 years and a fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She is […] — (Posted March 6, 2022)

Ronnie D. Overton Ronnie D. Overton, age 66, a New Castle resident, passed away Friday, March 4, 2022, at his residence. He was born April 18, 1955, in New Castle, a son of Robert and Gladys (Terry) Overton. Ronnie attended New Castle High School but graduated from high school in California. Ronnie worked in Maintenance at Walmart in […] — (Posted March 4, 2022)