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.

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)

William Blaine “Bill” Spicer William Blaine “Bill” Spicer, age 88, a New Castle resident passed away Monday, October 4, 2021 at his residence following a long battle with cancer. He was born September 20, 1933 in New Castle and was the son of the late Eldridge and Bertha Sayre Spicer. Bill was a New Castle resident most of his […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)

Brenda Kaye Burkhart Brenda Kaye Burkhart, of Richmond, passed away in her home on October 4, 2021. She was born January 31, 1954, in Richmond, to William Kenneth at Gertrude Cruse Powell, and lived here all of her life. She worked for Paulee’s Diner, Cox’s Grocery Store, and retired from Reid Health where she worked in environmental services. […] — (Posted October 8, 2021)

Jean B. Cox Wilkins With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of the matriarch of our family, Jean B. Cox Wilkins, 91, of Richmond. She passed Sunday, October 3, 2021, at home with her family. Jean was born in Birmingham, England, on November 21, 1930, to Alfred Charles and Kezia Smith Foley. On September 24, 1949, she married Peter […] — (Posted October 7, 2021)

John D. Washington Former Richmond resident, John D. Washington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 2, 2021. John, born December 17, 1928, came to Richmond from Pineville, KY when he was 17 year’s old. During his years in Richmond, he held positions at Wayne Division, Eaton Gear Works, Avco and Dana Perfect Circle where he retired in 1992. […] — (Posted October 7, 2021)

Deborah Ann Ljung Deborah Ann Ljung, age 70, of Lake Placid, Florida passed away Sunday, October 3, 2021. She was born May 28, 1951 in Wauchula, FL to Doyle Cody and Laura Joan (Quinn) Cowart. She was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, of Christian Faith, and has been a resident of Lake Placid, FL since […] — (Posted October 7, 2021)

Scott Lee Dill Scott Lee Dill, age 55, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Golden LivingCenter – Richmond. Born June 28, 1966, in Richmond, Indiana, to Jimmie and Joyce Cannon Dill, Scott was a life-long resident of this community. He was a very giving person and would help anyone in need. Scott enjoyed sports, especially […] — (Posted October 7, 2021)

Sandra J. Hart Sandra J. Hart, age 66, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Reid Health. Born March 2, 1955, in Richmond, Indiana, to Bill and Shirley Stobaugh Jackson, Sandy was a life-long resident of this community. She had been a school bus driver for Richmond Community Schools since 1987. Sandy loved to crochet. Survivors […] — (Posted October 7, 2021)

Nellerene Jordan Nellerene Jordan, 80, of Connersville passed away Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Reid Health, Richmond. The daughter of Virginia Combest Smallwood, Nellerene was born in Russell Springs, Kentucky on April 16, 1941. On March 17, 1958, Nellerene was married to her high school sweetheart, Richard “Dick” Jordan of Vernon, Indiana and they moved to Connersville […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Earl John Schneider Earl John Schneider, 101, of Connersville passed away Monday morning, October 4, 2021 at Heritage House of Connersville where he had been a resident for the last ten years. A son of William and Lena Streit Schneider, Earl was born in North Vernon, Indiana on April 10, 1920 and graduated from North Vernon High School. […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Gerald Poehlein Gerald Poehlein, age 71, a resident of Jay County Retirement Center in Portland, Indiana passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at the retirement center in Portland, Indiana. He was a former resident of Richmond, Indiana. We are looking for any family members of Gerald Poehlein to contact Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland, […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)