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.

David Lee Ripberger David Lee Ripberger, 77, of Milton went home to be with the Lord early Saturday morning, December 18, 2021 at Rush Memorial Hospital, Rushville. One of eleven children of Harry Leo and Grace Gladys White Ripberger, David was born in Connersville on November 21, 1944. On October 30, 1965, David married the former Janice Elaine […] — (Posted December 21, 2021)

Joseph B. McCreary Joseph B. McCreary, 92, of Connersville went home to be with the Lord Tuesday morning, December 14, 2021 at Reid Health, Richmond. One of ten children of Brack and Ethel Swafford McCreary, Joe was born in Lincoln, Kentucky on March 4, 1929. A veteran, he served his country in the United States Army during the […] — (Posted December 21, 2021)

Donna Louise Wright Donna Louise Wright, 83, of Connersville, passed away Saturday afternoon, December 11, 2021 at St. Vincent in Indianapolis. She was born June 18, 1938 in Laurel, Indiana to Herbert and Clora Mae Pursiful Noel. On July 17, 1955, she married Robert Wright in Cambridge City, Indiana. Mr. Wright passed away July 6, 2003. Donna was […] — (Posted December 21, 2021)

Marilynn Jean Wamsley Miller Marilynn Jean Wamsley Miller, 88, of Springersville, Indiana, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Heritage House of Connersville. Marilynn was born on May 20, 1933 in Fayette County, Indiana, to William and Ruby Cullins Wamsley, and she graduated from Connersville High School. She attended both Earlham and Miami University, earning a Bachelor of Science […] — (Posted December 21, 2021)

Alice Copenhaver July 4, 1951 – December 18, 2021 Obituary Pending Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, 2339 W. Cart Road, Richmond, Indiana, at 11:00 AM. Family and friends may visit the church Thursday one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Send online […] — (Posted December 21, 2021)

Ann Clark RICHMOND, Ind. – Ann Clark, age 75, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Reid Health. Born April 4, 1946, in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, to William and Hettie Mullins Bullock, Ann lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a member of Straightline Pike Pentecostal Church. Ann was a devoted wife and […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Patricia J. Kempton Ellicott City, Md. – Patricia J. Kempton, age 89, formerly of Centerville, Indiana, died Monday, December 13, 2021, at Encore at Turf Valley in Maryland. Born April 11, 1932, in Cambellstown, Ohio, to Lester and Mildred Johnston Gephart, Patricia lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of her life until moving to Maryland to be closer […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Keith Eugene Phenis Keith Eugene Phenis, age 72, passed away in Richmond, IN December 12th following a long-term illness. He was born October 26, 1949, in Richmond, IN. A 1967 graduate of Jefferson High School in New Paris, OH, Gene was a Vietnam veteran and Radarman 3rd Class serving in the Navy 1969-1974. He worked for many years […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Brenda Sue (Baker) Phenis Brenda Sue Phenis (nee’) Baker, age 70, passed away unexpectedly on December 11th in Richmond, IN. She was born January 1, 1951, in Richmond, IN. A 1969 graduate of Northeastern High School in Fountain City, IN, Brenda worked in various positions at Reid Hospital. Brenda loved bold colors and fashion enjoyed watching movies and was […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Ronald A. Ehrlich Ronald A. Ehrlich, born January 4th, 1958, passed away Monday, December 6th, 2021, at his home in Richmond, Indiana unexpectedly. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was preceded in death by his wife Sandra Jean Ehrlich of Richmond, Indiana. Surviving him are his children Adam Ehrlich of Naples, Florida and […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Drena R. Douglass Drena R. Douglass, 81, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on December 8, 2021 after a long illness. She was born June 29, 1940 in Mt. Auburn, Indiana to the late Elvin and Lucille Clemens Worth. There will be no public services. Community Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements. — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Oleeta Mae Doyle Oleeta Mae Doyle, age 86, passed away at Reid Health on December 6, 2021. She was born February 22, 1935, the daughter of Lonnie and Cora Perkins, in Paragon, Kentucky. Oleeta was retired from Dayton Flexible/Baxter and later retired from Miami University; where she was called “Grandma” by many of the students. She was a […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

James Leo Robinson HAGERSTOWN- James Leo Robinson, 83, passed away at his home in rural Hagerstown Thursday morning, December 16th, 2021. James was born in Connersville, Indiana on April 15th, 1938, to the late James Boyd Robinson and Arlena Faye Higbie. James grew up in the Milton community and attended Milton High School. After high school, James enlisted […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

David Rex Pierce LEWISVILLE – David Rex Pierce, 82, went to be with the Lord on December 13th, 2021. David was born to the late George Washington and Greedle Florence (Smith) Pierce on September 26th, 1939. Rex graduated from Lewisville High School in 1960, where he met and went on to marry his high school sweetheart, the former, […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Fred Edward Thurman Jr. NEW CASTLE – Fred Edward Thurman Jr., 56, passed away Tuesday morning November 30, 2021, at his home in New Castle, Indiana. Fred was born in Muncie, Indiana on December 4, 1964. He graduated from Chrysler High School in 1983 and participated in several varsity sports which included track and field, basketball and football. Fred […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

John D. Thomas John D. Thomas, 63, of New Lisbon, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Henry Community Health in New Castle. He was born February 10, 1958 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late John Alexander and Myrtle Colleen (Suratt) Thomas. A 1976 graduate of Tri High School, John was a member of UAW […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Steven Wallace Steven Wallace, 60, of New Castle passed away Monday, December 13, 2021 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 19, 1961 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of Sammie and Annis (Marks) Wallace. He was a 1979 graduate of Knightstown High School. He was a member of Cross Road Church […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Chad Andrew Doolittle Chad Andrew Doolittle, 55, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial in Muncie. He was born July 18, 1966 in Ankara, Turkey, a son of the late George and Sandra (Morgan) Doolittle. Chad was employed at Morgan Linen Services in Indianapolis, for the past 24 years. He enjoyed […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Rick D. Dicken Rick D. Dicken, 62, of New Castle passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Henry Community Health due to Covid-19. He was born October 15, 1959 in Burkesville, KY, a son of the late John L. and Anna Jewel (Rush) Dicken. A 1979 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School, he worked in construction for […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Mabel Adeline Allen Mabel Adeline Allen, 84, of Lynn, Indiana passed away peacefully, Friday evening, December 17, 2021 at her residence, with loving family by her side. She was born July 10, 1937 in Paint Lick, KY the daughter of Vaughn and Dixie (Howard) Abrams. Mabel had worked at the Richmond Bakery and later as a volunteer at […] — (Posted December 20, 2021)

Karen Sue Clampitt Karen Sue Clampitt, 77, of Hagerstown, died Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at Waters Edge Village in Muncie. She was born in New Castle on July 18, 1944, to Ralph and Roberta (Hartley) McCoy and lived most of her life in the Hagerstown area. She was a graduate of Hagerstown High School and formerly active with […] — (Posted December 18, 2021)

Bishop Lowell Eugene Lilly Jr. Bishop Lowell Eugene Lilly, Jr. is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 10, 2021. He was born in Richmond on November 2, 1939, and was raised basically on a farm close to Hagerstown. Gene was a farm boy who had no intentions to travel the world and preach […] — (Posted December 18, 2021)

Bobbie Jo Clayborn Bobbie Jo Clayborn, age 52, a New Castle resident passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at her residence. She was born April 8, 1969, in New Castle and was the daughter of LeRoy and Mildred Clayborn. Bobbie was a homemaker and enjoyed her family, grandchildren, and cooking. She is survived by five children, Ray Luna, […] — (Posted December 18, 2021)

Dana Clapp Dana Clapp, age 60, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at her residence. She was born in Tucson, Arizona and was the daughter of Lowell and Teresa Inabbitt Chaney. Dana was a graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School. She had worked for Donatos Pizza. She enjoyed family activities, cooking, crafts, and art. She is […] — (Posted December 18, 2021)

Martin “Marty” R. Moore Martin “Marty” R. Moore, age 62, passed away at Reid Health on December 10, 2021. He was born March 11, 1959, the son of Ronald and Janice Moore, in Greenville, Ohio. Marty was a high school graduate and had an Associate’s Degree in General Studies. He was in the United States Navy and was honorably […] — (Posted December 17, 2021)

Robert Harold Dickey Robert Harold Dickey, 53, of Economy, died at his home on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. He was born in Columbus, IN on January 7, 1968 to John and Carolyn (Agnew) Dickey and lived most of his life in the Economy area. He was a graduate of Hagerstown High School and served with the US Navy. […] — (Posted December 17, 2021)

Edwin Martin Collis Edwin Martin Collis, III, 71, of Greens Fork, died at his home on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. He was born on August 29, 1950 in Fukuoka, Japan to Edwin Martin, Jr. and Bettie (Hoover) Collis. He lived most of his life in the Greens Fork area. Marty served with the US Air Force in Vietnam. […] — (Posted December 17, 2021)

Kent Alan Baxter WILLIAMSBURG, Ind. – Kent Alan Baxter, age 62, of Williamsburg, Indiana, died Thursday, December 16, 2021, at Reid Health. Born February 4, 1959, in Marion County, Indiana, to Merrill William and Berneil Heller Baxter, Kent lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life. He worked as a branch manager at U.S. Bank. Kent attended […] — (Posted December 17, 2021)

Shirley Nadine Powell CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Shirley Nadine Powell, age 94, of Centerville, Indiana, died Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Reid Health. Born March 7, 1927, in Ranlo, North Carolina, to Leon and Effie Leona Rish Lucas, Shirley moved to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1955. She was a member of the Centerville Christian Church, where she enjoyed being […] — (Posted December 17, 2021)

Ernest (Ernie) Hubbard Ernest (Ernie) Hubbard went to be with the Lord on December 15, 2021. He had lived in this area most of his life. He attended Galilean Baptist Church in Centerville, IN. He was born June 6, 1941, the son of Floyd and Cumile (Simpson) Hubbard of Harlan KY and moved to this area shortly after […] — (Posted December 16, 2021)