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.

Jeannette “Jenny” I. Swoveland Jeannette “Jenny” I. Swoveland, 65, of Farmland, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022 at Reid Health, Richmond. She was born on January 22, 1956, in Richmond, to William Carl Holliday and Gloria Lou (Gingry) Holliday. Jenny married James Robert (Bob) Swoveland on December 13, 1982. She loved doing crafts and spending time with her family. […] — (Posted January 4, 2022)

Deborah Sue Wolfinbarger Deborah Sue Wolfinbarger, age 66, of Centerville, Indiana, died Thursday, December 30, 2021, at home surrounded by loved ones, following a brief battle with cancer. Debbie was born on December 15, 1955, in Richmond, Indiana to Donald and Eulene Davis, and was a lifelong resident of Wayne County. Debbie was a 1974 graduate of Richmond […] — (Posted January 4, 2022)

David “AJ” Gardner David “AJ” Gardner, 34, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on December 30, 2021 at Reid Health. He was born June 26, 1987 to Kenneth and Terri Gardner, both of Richmond, Indiana. David was passionate about life and spreading positivity to everyone. He was always in motion as an avid cyclist, he did all things with […] — (Posted January 3, 2022)

Frank Edward Reed Frank Edward Reed, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Anderson in Anderson, Indiana. Born August 5, 1929, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Ira V. and Anna M. Boner Reed, Frank was a life-long resident of this community. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1947. Frank […] — (Posted January 3, 2022)

Richard Kelley Shadle Richard Kelley Shadle, 73, passed away December 27, 2021. He was born September 20, 1948 to Richard Malcolm Shadle and Emma Lou Shadle in Richmond, IN. After graduating from Hagerstown High School in 1967 he joined the Marine Corps and served his country in Vietnam. He was a proud veteran and loved his country very […] — (Posted January 3, 2022)

Kelly Haskett Byrd Kelly Haskett Byrd, 59, passed away Wednesday December 29, 2021 at her home. She was born August 6, 1962, the daughter of the late Roy Haskett and Jeanne Haskett Havens. Kelly attended Centerville Schools and on December 3, 1982 she married the love of her life, Jerry Byrd, who survives and provided loving care for […] — (Posted January 3, 2022)

Willie Rice Jr. Willie Rice Jr. 57 of Richmond died unexpectedly on January 1, 2022, at his home. He was born January 19, 1964, in Richmond to Willie and Berta Bowling Rice Sr. and lived here all his life. He worked as a member of the Indiana Laborers Union. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church serving […] — (Posted January 2, 2022)

Lee Ann Denney Lee Ann Denney, 57, of New Castle, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, January 1, 2022, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 21, 1964, in Rushville, Indiana, a daughter of the late Malcolm and Edwina (Jones) Rowe. Lee Ann was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who […] — (Posted January 2, 2022)

Carolyn J. Shepherd Carolyn J. Shepherd, 81 of Eaton, Ohio died Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. Born on March 19, 1940, in Richmond, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Harold C. & Norma (Campbell) McDivitt. Carolyn was the owner/operator of Carolyn Shepherd Realty, Inc. in Eaton. She was a 1958 graduate […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Donna Lee Hersey Donna Lee Hersey, 85, formerly of Williamsburg, passed away on Monday, December 20. She was born in Ripley County, Indiana on January 18, 1936 to J. Willard and Ruby Fay Parker Robinson. She married Walter B. Hersey on June 5, 1954. They were blessed with four children and 64 years of marriage before his death […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

David R. Thomas Fountain City native, David R. Thomas, passed away on December 29 at Reid Hospital. He was retired from the U.S. Post Office after serving 37 years as a rural mail carrier. Born in 1928 to Robert J. and Faye Ann (Kem) Thomas, David graduated from Fountain City High School in 1946. He received an appointment […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Ruby Hunt Ruby Hunt, 82, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, went to be with the Lord on December 28th, 2021 in Indianapolis where she had resided since 2018. She was born in Jackson County, Kentucky, June 24th, 1939, to parents Emery and Elizabeth (Day) Tillery. Ruby grew up in Jackson County, Kentucky and graduated from McKee High School […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Dena Rae House Centerville resident, Dena Rae House, 52, slipped away peacefully Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at their home wrapped in the arms of her husband . Dena was born to Richard D. “Dick” Wilcox and Glenda Faye Harrison on August 1, 1969. She graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1987, and furthered her education […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Drena Ruth Worth Douglass Drena Ruth Worth Douglass, age 81 of Richmond, went to be with her Lord, December 8, 2021, at Reid Hospital of double pneumonia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin and Lucille Worth. She is survived by her husband, Bob of 59 years; son Robert of Wichita, Kansas; daughter, Cathleen of Tucson, Arizona; […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Maradine Ann Heaton Maradine Ann Heaton, 74, of Winchester, IN passed away early Thursday morning, December 30, 2021 at IU Health, Ball Memorial Hospital of Muncie, IN. She was born August 2, 1947 in Winchester, IN the daughter of Riley and Maeodine (Pegg) Burton. She was a 1966 graduate of Union High School of Modoc, IN. She attended […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Judy Carol (Draper) Mullin Dedicated wife and mother, Judy Carol (Draper) Mullin of Lynn, Indiana, went to be with her Lord late Wednesday, December 29, 2021. She was born June 30, 1945, in Carroll County to Donald and Myrtle (Sibrary) Draper. She was a 1963 graduate of Delphi High School in Delphi. Throughout her working life, Judy was a […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Marlene L. Thompson Marlene L. Thompson, 83, of Boston died December 31, 2021, at Reid Health after a short illness. She was born March 21, 1938, in Dayton, Ohio to Thomas Robert Barlow Sr. and Katherine Sute Maloney and lived here most of her life. She retired as a bus driver for Richmond Community Schools and worked at […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

William “Willie” Bryant Grose William “Willie” Bryant Grose, 91, of New Castle passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 at his residence. He was born October 23, 1930 in Stop, Kentucky to the late James William and Elva Emma (Mikel) Grose. Willie was a true “Mr. Fix It”. One of the hardest workers around and could always be seen out […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Norma Fay Holmes Norma Fay Holmes, 89, of New Castle went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center in New Castle, while surrounded by family. She was born in Robbins, Tennessee on December 10, 1932, to Rev. Roy and Jessie Weaver. Norma worked many years at New Castle Jr High […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Stephen James Swift Stephen James Swift, 72, of New Castle passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Henry Community Health following a brief illness. He was born July 1, 1949 in New Castle to James and Vera (Ford) Swift. Funny, well loved, and adored by all who knew him, Steve enjoyed collecting and trading several different themed items, […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Patricia “Pat” Elsea Patricia “Pat” Elsea, 81, of Newburgh, IN, died peacefully Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at her home with her husband Jan by her side after a gallant fight with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on October 23, 1940, in Richmond, IN to Agnes and Howard McConaha. Pat grew up in Richmond and was a graduate of […] — (Posted January 1, 2022)

Steven Ray Hook Steven Ray Hook, 45, departed this world unexpectedly on Thursday December 2, 2021 when he went to spend the rest of eternity with Jesus. Steven was born on October 27, 1976 to Valerie and Raymond Hook In New Castle Indiana. He lived in the Cambridge City/Richmond area all of his life. He worked in local […] — (Posted December 31, 2021)

Jeffery S Hill Jeffery S Hill, 63, of Cambridge City, died Saturday December 25th at his residence after a long illness. Jeff was born April 15, 1958, in New Castle, Indiana, to Richard A. and Ethel Constance “Connie” (Parks) Hill. He was a lifelong resident of Cambridge City. Jeff retired in 2017 from Dungan Plumbing & Heating as […] — (Posted December 31, 2021)

Billy Hurst Billy Hurst, age 88, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, passed away on December 26, 2021. Billy retired from Ford having worked there more than 50 years. He owned and operated his own exterminating business for more than 40 years. He was a member of Baptist Temple in Connersville, Indiana. He leaves behind his daughter, Angela Smith and […] — (Posted December 31, 2021)

Lawrence Edward Ogle Lawrence Edward Ogle, age 79 passed away September 18, 2021 Lawrence was born on October 1, 1941 in Richmond Indiana to parents David and Emma Ogle. He was a loving Father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was an incredible man of God, the patriarch of his family, and touched so many lives with his […] — (Posted December 30, 2021)

Kimmie Jaye McCracken Kimmie Jaye McCracken, 62,of Richmond, passed from this earthly home to her eternal heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 29th at 12:05 AM at her home surrounded by her family and beloved friends. Kimmie was born on April 13, 1959, in Connersville, IN. One of the daughters of […] — (Posted December 30, 2021)

Carole Anne Hiatt Carole Anne Hiatt, age 80, a New Castle resident, passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2021. She was born September 15, 1941, in New Castle and was the daughter of Leroy E. Hiatt and Dorothy (Howard) Hiatt. Also, a granddaughter of William and Carrie Howard and Ed and Marie Hiatt. Carole had resided in New Castle […] — (Posted December 30, 2021)

Jerry “Maddog” Emrick Jerry “Maddog” Emrick, 80, of New Paris, Ohio, passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. Jerry was born on July 10, 1941, in Richmond, to the late Keith and Elizabeth (Stigleman) Emrick. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his daughter, Jessie Emrick. Jerry retired […] — (Posted December 30, 2021)

Colleen Marie Everett Colleen Marie Everett, age 69, passed away at Reid Health on December 22, 2021. She was born February 16, 1952, to Harry and Barbara Vedder, in Maryland. Colleen spent most of her life in Pensacola, Florida; however, she had lived in Alabama for 17 years, and for the past eight months lived in Brookville, Indiana. […] — (Posted December 30, 2021)

Charles Derrick Stephenson Charles Derrick Stephenson “Big D”, age 47, died tragically from results of an automobile accident on Tuesday December 21, 2021. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on January 2, 1974 to Charles Darrell and Diane Sue Stephenson. Derrick grew up in the Richmond area and never knew a stranger. He liked country music, would do […] — (Posted December 30, 2021)