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.

Robert “Bob” Eugene Lawson Robert “Bob” Eugene Lawson, 72, of New Castle passed away at his residence on October 10, 2021. He was born June 6, 1949 in Muncie, IN, a son of the late Joe Mearl Lawson and Delores Lucille (Covey) Bayes. Bob had a friendly helping spirit that was always willing to help someone in need. Bob […] — (Posted October 15, 2021)

Donald Gene Stout Donald Gene Stout, age 90, of Crystal River, Florida passed away peacefully September 25, 2021. He was a former resident of Fayette and Union County, Indiana. He was born in Alquina on March 22, 1931, to Morton and Catherine (Mong) Stout. He graduated from Connersville High School in 1949. After high school he was inducted […] — (Posted October 15, 2021)

Robert L. Paul Robert L. Paul, 81, of San Leandro, California passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021. He was born on May 5, 1940 in New Castle, Indiana to Richard H. & Virginia (Langdon) Paul. Robert graduated from Howe Military Academy in1959 and then attended the University of Arizona in Tucson from 1959 – 1962. He enlisted […] — (Posted October 15, 2021)

Perry Lee Robertson Perry Lee Robertson, 80, of Fountain City, passed away October 13, 2021, at Reid Health. He was born December 18, 1940, in Irvine, KY. to Cecil and Elizabeth Neunan Robertson and lived in this area most of his life. Perry worked in construction and was a member of Indiana Laborers Local #1047. He is survived […] — (Posted October 14, 2021)

Wanda Lou Schneider Wanda Lou Schneider, 75, of Liberty died Friday, October 8, 2021 at Whitewater Commons. Wanda was born on September 20, 1946 in Richmond to James C. and Pearl Jarvis Harrison. She was self-employed, formerly owning Trinity Pool and Spa in Centerville. Wanda had a green thumb and a special way with plants. She worked so […] — (Posted October 14, 2021)

Juanita Marie Moran Juanita Marie Moran, 90, of New Castle went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday October 12, 2021, at her home surrounded by her family. Marie was born April 22, 1931, in Albany, Kentucky to the late Lige William Davis & Naomi Mattie (Guffey) Davis. Marie married the love of her life, George on […] — (Posted October 14, 2021)

James E. Grubbs James E. Grubbs, 91, of Fishers and formerly of Hagerstown went to be with his Lord and Savior and be reunited with his wife, Laura, on Monday, October 11, 2021. He was born on May 15, 1930 in Modoc to the late Marston and Crystal (Jordan) Grubbs. James is a veteran of the US Army […] — (Posted October 14, 2021)

LeEtta Ann LeMaster Monger LeEtta Ann LeMaster Monger, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born January 9, 1939, in Redkey, Indiana, to John and Dortha Delauter LeMaster, Ann had lived in Hagerstown and Richmond, Indiana, since 1970. She graduated from Madison Township School in Jay County, Indiana, earned a Bachelor of […] — (Posted October 14, 2021)

Kent Gerald Klinge Kent Gerald Klinge, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at EverHeart Hospice Care Center in Greenville, Ohio. Born August 5, 1939, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Herman Carol and Eleanor Graham Klinge, Kent had lived in Richmond for the past 50 years. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Kent graduated from […] — (Posted October 13, 2021)

Grover Paul Boggs Grover Paul Boggs, 76, of Connersville, passed away Monday afternoon, October 11, 2021 at his home. He had been under a physician’s care, but his death was unexpected. Grover was born December 31, 1944 in Oneida, Clay County, Kentucky, one of four children of Grover and Maymie Robinson Boggs. On October 23, 1965, he married […] — (Posted October 13, 2021)

Martha McWilliams Martha McWilliams, age 79, a New Castle resident, passed away Monday, October 11, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born February 1, 1942 in Meridian/Laurderdale County, Mississippi, a daughter of Sute Mae and Tempie Clark. Before Martha’s retirement, she served as a “very well loved” caretaker within multiple locations of Cardinal […] — (Posted October 13, 2021)

Ida Lee “Jerri” Frazier Ida Lee “Jerri” Frazier, age 95, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, October 8, 2021, at Heritage House of Richmond. Jerri was born on December 8, 1925, in Hazel Patch, Kentucky, to Victor C. and Mary M. Mink Owens. She worked as a custodian at Dennis Junior High School and previously worked at Kenart Photo Lab. […] — (Posted October 13, 2021)

Wanda L. (Chaney) Denney Wanda L. (Chaney) Denney, 76, of Middletown, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 8, 2021, at Henry Community Health. She was born on September 22, 1945, in Calhoun, KY, to the late Charlie and Eva Christine (Frailey) Chaney. A 1963 graduate of Walter P. Chrysler High School, Wanda worked at Crider’s Drive-In and then for […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Rebecca “Becky” Francis Rebecca “Becky” Francis, age 65, a resident of rural New Castle, passed away Saturday, October 9, 2021 at her residence. She was born November 15, 1955 in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of the late George and Geraldine “Gerri” Bell Ford. Becky was a New Castle resident most of her life, and was a homemaker. […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Virgil E. Vaughn, Jr. Virgil E. Vaughn, Jr. of Carmel, formerly of New Castle, Kokomo, Muncie, and Lafayette, passed away on October 6, 2021 in Carmel, Indiana. Virgil, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend was born in New Castle on February 14, 1946. He graduated from Chrysler High School and Ball State University where he earned both a […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Jimmey R. Sneed Jimmey R. Sneed, age 52, of New Castle, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born October 29, 1968 to Rex Sneed and Yvonne Martin. Jimmey loved his motorcycles and hot rod’s and his special little buddy Desmond Case. He is […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Lola (Gray) Cole Lola (Gray) Cole, age 73, passed away Friday, October 8, 2021 at the Waters in New Castle, Indiana. She was born June 26, 1948 in Jackson County, Kentucky and was the daughter of Lermon and Dema Wright Gray. Lola was a New Castle resident for many years where she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Angela J. Lee Angela J. Lee, 45, of Richmond, died October 9, 2021, after a lengthy illness. she was born August 20, 1976, in Richmond to Walter E. and Cathy Jo Scalf Thompson and lived here all her life. Survivors include her father Walter E. Thompson, two brothers Timothy (Karen) Sparks and Thomas (Stephanie) Sparks of Tulsa Oklahoma, […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Josephine Elaine (Adams) Kellam Josephine Elaine (Adams) Kellam, 97, of New Castle passed away peacefully on October 9, 2021 at Glen Oaks Health Campus, in New Castle, IN. She was born on July 12, 1924 to the late Charles and Hazel Adams. Josephine grew up in Mays, IN. She was a graduate of Mays High School, where she was […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Ruth A. Aversa Ruth A. Aversa, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, October 8, 2021, in Lexington, Kentucky. Born September 29, 1929, in Richmond, Indiana, to Ernest H. and Jewell Marie Bratton Campbell, Ruth was a life-long resident of this community. She lived her life for her family, friends, and pets. Survivors include her daughters, Jacqueline Aversa […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Michael Dean Smith Michael Dean Smith, age 66, of Cambridge City, Indiana, died Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Reid Health surrounded by his family. Born June 12, 1955, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to Jay C. and Mary Johnson Smith, Michael grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but had lived all over the U.S. and traveled across the […] — (Posted October 12, 2021)

Charles W. “Chuck” Spurrier Charles W. “Chuck” Spurrier, 83, of Richmond, passed away on Thursday, October 7. He was born in Loveland, Ohio on March 31, 1938 to Charles R. & Ada May Jones Spurrier. Chuck was a 1956 graduate of Whitewater High School and served 6 years in the US Army Reserve. He married the former Julia Fields […] — (Posted October 10, 2021)

Timothy Allen Ford Timothy Allen Ford, age 58, passed away on Thursday September 16, 2021 at Reid Health. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on January 2, 1963 to Boyd Ford and Barbara Sue Leslie Ford. Timothy was a handyman and worked as a contractor in construction. He loved tattoos, beer, music, playing his guitar, having cookouts and […] — (Posted October 10, 2021)

Melissa Ann Murphy Melissa Ann Murphy, 48, of New Castle passed away Friday October 8, 2021 at Community South Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born December 24, 1972 in New Castle, a daughter of the late Stan and Debi (Bach) Wiley. Melissa loved being with her family, especially her children. She enjoyed flowers and even planted her own […] — (Posted October 10, 2021)

Joy Musselman Joy Musselman, age 73, passed away at her residence on October 5, 2021. She was born February 11, 1948, to Preston and Maxie Mullins in Richmond, Indiana. She is survived by two daughters: Remi Sloan and Hilary Richardson. There is no public services. Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Send online condolences […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)

Jesse “Gene” Rigney Jesse “Gene” Rigney, 76, Dublin, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday afternoon October 5, 2021 from Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana from complications of COVID19. He was born on May 30, 1945 to the late Eugene “Judge” and Jessie (Doss) Rigney in Touristville, Kentucky and was raised in Monticello, Kentucky. He worked at […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)

Robert “Jack” Lamb, Jr. Robert “Jack” Lamb, Jr., age 70, passed away at Reid Health on October 5, 2021. He was born July 17th, 1951, to Robert John Lamb, Sr. and Margaret Louise (Pullon) Lamb. Jack was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana, and had worked in factories all of his life. He served in the United States Army […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)

Norma Jean Vallandingham Norma Jean Vallandingham, age 87, of Cambridge City, Indiana, died Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Reid Health. Born January 7, 1934, in Richmond, Indiana, to Herbert George and Thelma H. Crawford Rees, Jean was a life-long resident of this community. She worked as an accountant at American Water Works and had previously worked at Graphic […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)

Donald E. Higbee Donald E. Higbee, Hagerstown, passed away September 3, 2021 at home, in his favorite chair. He was three weeks shy of his 94th birthday. A devoted family man, Dad will be greatly missed by his three daughters: Cindy (Steve) Oler, Tracy (Carlos) Lising and Lisa (Richard) Hendry. “Grandpa Higbee” is survived by his grandchildren: Andy […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)

Joseph M. Hengstler Joseph M. Hengstler, 79, of Richmond, passed away at home on Thursday, October 7, 2021. He was born in Richmond on January 30, 1942 to Joseph Martin & Allien Cora Chase Hengstler. He worked at Johns-Manville as a journeyman electrician, retiring in 2004 after 42 years of service. He started his own business, Joseph Electric, […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)