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.

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)

Stanley R. Kendall Stanley R. Kendall, 74, a resident of New Castle passed away Saturday, November 20, 2021 at his home. He was born May 18, 1947 in New Castle to the late Paul and Betty (Staub) Kendall. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during the Viet Nam War. Stanley worked in construction for many years, […] — (Posted November 22, 2021)

Madonna L. Fletcher Madonna L. Fletcher, age 88, went home to be with her Lord and Savior (hallelujah) Jesus Christ on Friday, November 19, 2021. Donna was born on April 4, 1933, a daughter of Ernest and Myra Darby. Donna grew up in Mooreland and was a long-time resident of New Castle, Indiana. She worked in the OB […] — (Posted November 22, 2021)

Ronald Puckett Ronald Puckett, 65, of Richmond, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021, at Reid Health. He was born February 5, 1956, in Hamilton, Ohio to Russell and Lola Puckett and lived in this area most of his life. Ronald is survived by his son RJ Puckett, his daughter Mindy (Miles) Johnson both of Richmond, four granddaughters […] — (Posted November 22, 2021)

Dr. Gordon Paul Miller Dr. Gordon Paul Miller, age 73, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, November 20, 2021, at his home surrounded by family after a nine-month battle with cancer. Born May 13, 1948, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Douglas and Jeanne Marie Laub Miller, Gordon graduated from Earlham College in 1970 and received his Master of Science degree […] — (Posted November 22, 2021)

E. Geraldine “Gerri” Gauker E. Geraldine “Gerri” Gauker, age 99, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Reid Health. Born November 1, 1922, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to Charles Henry and Eva May Taber Bowman, Gerri moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Richmond in 1945. She retired from the Palladium-Item in 1988. Survivors include her daughter, Patricia (Thomas) […] — (Posted November 22, 2021)

Cheryl Ann Drew Cheryl Ann Drew, 72, of Richmond died unexpectedly on November 20, 2021, at Reid Health. She was born January 12, 1949, in Augusta, Maine to Albert and Patricia Smith Lawrence and lived here most of her life. She retired from Starmark Corporation and was a member of the Druids Lodge. Cheryl is survived by her […] — (Posted November 22, 2021)

Elizabeth D. “Liz” Selby Elizabeth D. “Liz” Selby, age 88, passed away on November 18, 2021 at Reid Hospital. Liz was born October 16, 1933 in Caryville, Tennessee to Dale and Ruby Leach Oakes. She was one of 8 children, 3 brothers and 4 sisters. She was the bookkeeper for Cox’s Supermarkets for many years. She was a cashier […] — (Posted November 21, 2021)

Ronald Braden Beach Ronald Braden Beach, 73, Muncie, passed away November 18, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. Ron was born June 22, 1948 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and moved to Richmond, Indiana, as a child. He came to Muncie to attend Ball State University and lived in the Muncie area most of his adult life. Ron’s […] — (Posted November 21, 2021)

Charles Kenny Drook Charles Kenny Drook, age 77, passed away on Thursday November 18, 2021, at Reid Health. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on August 9, 1944. His parents were William and Arbutis Faddis Drook. Kenny was an avid mushroom hunter, when hunting, he could see mushrooms long before anyone else had a chance, it was like […] — (Posted November 21, 2021)

James H. Atchely James H. Atchely, age 53, a New Castle resident, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Henry Community Health. He was born February 4, 1969 in Wilson, Arkansas, a son of Henry Carlton and Barbara Turner Atchley. James had resided in New Castle for many years and had worked in the field of agriculture as […] — (Posted November 20, 2021)

Chris Hunter Chris Hunter, 54, of Glenwood passed away late Wednesday evening, November 17, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis. One of six children of Henry Clay and Sadie Bernadine Lewis Hunter, Chris was born in Connersville on August 19, 1967. For many years he was self-employed in the automotive repair field. An avid outdoorsman, Chris enjoyed […] — (Posted November 20, 2021)

Judith Darlene Musselman Judith Darlene Musselman, age 76, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, November 15, 2021, at Golden LivingCenter – Golden Rule. Born July 1, 1945, in Richmond, Indiana, to Delmar and Eula Anderson Musselman, Judith was a life-long resident of this community. She worked at Nettle Creek Industries. Judith was a member of the Daughters of the […] — (Posted November 20, 2021)

Donald W. “Don” Shuler Donald W. “Don” Shuler, age 66, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Reid Health. Born September 17, 1955, in Richmond, Indiana, to Ben Bivens and Mary L. Ely Shuler, Don was a life-long resident of this community. He loved socializing with his friends and neighbors. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, […] — (Posted November 20, 2021)

Catherine V. Rutherford Catherine V. Rutherford, 100, of Richmond died November 18, 2021, at Ambassador Health Center after a short illness. She was born October 4, 1921, in Wilmington, North Carolina to George and Willie Thigpen Cannon and lived in Richmond since 1969. She was a homemaker and the oldest living Army veteran from World War Two. She […] — (Posted November 20, 2021)