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.

Helen Marie Gay Helen Marie Gay, 80, of Laurel passed away Wednesday evening, November 24, 2021 at Brookville Healthcare Center where she had been a resident for the past two years. One of nine children of Virgil and Dora Long Alcorn, Helen was born in Scott County, Kentucky on October 28, 1941. Helen was a member and enjoyed […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Jerry Carl “Jet” Jensen Jerry Carl “Jet” Jensen, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, slipped the surly bonds of Earth on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. Jerry was born at home on May 25, 1939, near Meriden, Iowa, to Otto and Lilly Johnson Jensen. His youth was spent on his family’s farm, where he learned […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

William Gletroy Orcutt, Jr. William Gletroy Orcutt, Jr., age 59, a New Castle resident, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at his residence. He was born December 13, 1961, a son of William Gletory Orcutt Sr., and Virginia Carol (Ballenger) Orcutt. He was a 1980 graduate of New Castle High School and served as Clerk for the City of […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Sharon Ann Oxley Sharon Ann Oxley, age 66, a New Castle resident, passed away at her home, Tuesday, November 23, 2021. She was born November 22, 1955 in New Castle, Indiana. Sharon was a 1975 graduate of Hagerstown High School and a 1978 graduate of IU School of Nursing in Bloomington, Indiana where she received BSN degree. She […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Dale Isaac Marion Dale Isaac Marion, 94, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday evening, November 23, 2021 at Miller’s Senior Living Community in Indianapolis. He was born November 6, 1927 in Michigan to Henry and Marie Marion. A veteran of World War II and Korea, he served in both the United States Army and Navy. Dale was a machine […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Ashley Jordan Tipton Ashley Jordan Tipton, 31, passed away unexpectedly early Tuesday morning, November 23, 2021 at the home of her parents. She was born January 29, 1990 in Beech Grove, Indiana, and she was a 2008 graduate of Connersville High School. A ten year 4-H member, Ashley enjoyed showing her horse, Barbie. She loved shopping and spending […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Virginia M. Tarango Virginia M. Tarango, age 79, Richmond, passed away on Sunday November 21, 2021 in Hamilton, Ohio after a short illness. She was born in Denver, Colorado on January 30, 1942 to Solomon and Lupita Lopez DeGuero. She loved to go dancing, travel and attend church where she was a greeter. She also loved spending time […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Hazel M. Williams Hazel M. Williams, Richmond, passed away at Reid Health on November 24, 2021. She was born October 17, 1941, to Harold and Letha McDaniel, in Richmond, Indiana. Hazel was a lifelong resident of Wayne County. She was married to Gordon Dutch Williams, July 1, 1973. Hazel loved people, life and her family. She had worked […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Martha J. Snapp Martha J. Snapp, 94, of Williamsburg, passed away Wednesday, November 24, at Reid Health. Martha was born on April 27, 1927 in Wayne County, Indiana to Robert & Emily Jane Johnson Duke. She was a graduate of Williamsburg High School. Martha worked at the former Montgomery Ward in downtown Richmond. She later went to work […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Howard B. Crist Howard B. Crist, 87, went to his Heavenly home in time for Thanksgiving with his beloved wife, Pat, on Wednesday, November 24. Born on January 18, 1934 in Franklin County, Indiana, he was the son of Clarence F. & Hazel Miller Crist, both of whom preceded him in death. Howard was a 1952 graduate of […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Maurice Coleman Temples Maurice Coleman Temples, 70, left us after a brief illness on November 23rd, 2021. He was born on August 26th, 1951 to Max and Juanita (McKenzie) Temples. Maurice was a man of few words, but infinite wisdom – a jack of all trades. He was a superb chess player, nearly unbeatable by anyone that challenged […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Vince Jerome Brown Vince Jerome Brown (affectionately known to others as “Vinny”) was born August 19, 1966 in Tuscumbia, AL. Vince was born to parents, the late Hollis Edell Brown Sr. and Josephine Brown. Vince departed this life to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 20, 2021 after a long illness. Vince accepted Christ and was baptized […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Lewis Austin Morris Lewis Austin Morris, age 52, of New Castle, passed away at his home on November 24, 2021. He was born February 22, 1969, a son of Charles and Irene Morris. Lewis was a 1987 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School. While in high school, he played baseball, football, and participated in wresting. He earned […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Martha P. Tischuk Martha P. Tischuk, age 100, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, November 25, 2021, at Reid Health. Born November 24, 1921, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to Alexander and Martha Davage Pye, Martha moved to Richmond from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1963. She was a 1943 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and earned her master’s degree from Ball […] — (Posted November 27, 2021)

Norma “Jean” H. Bailey Norma “Jean” H. Bailey, age 100, of The Villages, Florida, died Saturday, November 13, 2021. Jean was born on December 7, 1920, in Irwin, Ohio, the daughter of John William and Nora Edna Crabbe Houck. She had been a resident of Richmond from 1986 to September 2017, moving here from Cambridge, Ohio, and had formerly […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

Pamela Sue Griffin Pamela Sue Griffin, 42, of Connersville went home to be with her mother and the Lord early Tuesday morning, November 23, 2021 at Reid Health of Richmond where she had been a patient since November 11. One of two children of Jimmy Dean and Jacqueline Diane Chasteen Drew, Pamela was born in Connersville on November […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

Gerald “Jerry” A. Mueller Jr. Gerald “Jerry” A. Mueller Jr., 55, died Thursday, November 18, 2021, at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. Jerry was born to Gerald and Rita Creech Mueller on September 27, 1966 in Connersville. He attended Connersville High School and was a proud member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church. He relished anytime spent outdoors; you could often […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

Carolyn (Carole) Conner Carolyn (Carole) Conner, age 70, passed away Sunday, November, 21, 2021 after an extended illness. She was born August 1951 in Albany, Kentucky to Chester and Kathleen Stearns Conner. She graduated with the Class of ’69 from Chrysler High School and attended Ivy Tech. She worked in the health care field for many years and […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

Ricky Young Ricky Young, age 65, a New Castle resident, passed away Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis. He was a graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School and served with the United States Army. He had worked over 20 years for Ford Motor Company. Ricky will be remembered as a man who […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

Thurleen D. Millsaps Thurleen D. Millsaps, age 86, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born January 5, 1935, in Springfield, Ohio, to Carl and Mildred Mumaw Miller, Thurleen lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of her life. She was a 1952 graduate of Centerville High School. Thurleen retired from Cox’s Supermarket, where she […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

Kurtis G. Knipp Kurtis G. Knipp, 54, Pershing, passed away Friday November 5, 2021 at his residence in Pocatello, Idaho from heart failure. Kurtis was born in New Castle, Indiana on May 16, 1967, to Theodore and Wanda (Fennell) Knipp. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1985 where he played football and wrestled. Kurtis attended Vincennes University […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

Rodney Gray Rodney Gray left this world, a humble Servant of God. He proudly served his country in the Air Force, his community as a Firefighter, and by volunteering to feed the hungry through Rock Solid Ministries, his church family as a Worship Leader and a Deacon, his family as a loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather. Rodney […] — (Posted November 24, 2021)

James Thomas “Tommy” Smith James Thomas “Tommy” Smith, age 69, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, November 18, 2021, at Reid Health. Born February 21, 1952, in Elihu, Kentucky, to Lenville and Marie Pappas Smith, Tommy lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life. He was a 1970 graduate of Centerville High School. Tommy served in the U.S. Navy […] — (Posted November 23, 2021)

Baxter Mills Baxter Mills, age 87, passed away on Saturday November 20, 2021 at Golden Living Center in Richmond. He was born in Manchester, Kentucky on April 4, 1934 to Willie and Rhoda Smith Mills. Baxter was married to Christine Gray on October 12, 1957. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends who knew […] — (Posted November 23, 2021)

Debra Kay Garner Debra Kay Garner, age 59, of Richmond passed away Friday November 19, 2021 at Reid Health. She was born in Marion, Indiana on January 26, 1962 to Charles Edward Cowgill and Linda Darnell Hosier. Debra was a loving wife to her husband Chester, she enjoyed watching football and Broadway musicals. Left to cherish her memory […] — (Posted November 23, 2021)

June Marie (Grimes) Buckalew June Marie (Grimes) Buckalew, 62, of Richmond, transitioned in the early morning hours of Monday November 22,2021 in Indianapolis Indiana surrounded by family and love. “June bug” was born in Richmond on September 13,1959 to Robert and Jeannette Grimes. She graduated from Richmond High School. June was a free spirit, who lived life on her […] — (Posted November 23, 2021)

Paul F. Wiwi Paul F. Wiwi, 81 of Union County passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021. He was born on August 27, 1940 in Union County to the late Al Wiwi and Fern Dudley Wiwi. Paul went to College Corner Union School for 12 years. He served in the United States Army from 1963-1965. On August 27, […] — (Posted November 23, 2021)

Crystal Leigh (Harlan) Gerber Crystal Leigh (Harlan) Gerber, 44, of Liberty, passed away on Friday, November 19, 2021. She was born on March 26, 1977 in Heber Springs, Ar, and is the daughter of Stephen Harlan and Rachelle “Shelly” Isaacs. She graduated from high school in Bluffton, IN with the class of 1995. On February 17, 1996, she married […] — (Posted November 23, 2021)

Heather Jones Heather Jones, age 36, passed away at Reid Health on November 20, 2021. She was born April 21, 1985, to Danny and Johnetta Bray, in Richmond, Indiana. Heather was a resident of Wayne County. She was a graduate of Richmond High School and attended Ivy Tech pursing a business degree. Heather loved arts and crafts, […] — (Posted November 23, 2021)

Olen D. Lynch Olen D. Lynch, 95, Fountain City, passed away on Saturday, November 20 surrounded by family at Reid Health. He was born on January 8, 1926 in Laurel County, Kentucky to Charles & Ollie Harris Lynch. Olen was a US Navy veteran of World War Two. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and later for Conrail, […] — (Posted November 22, 2021)