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.

Vera Ann Hartmann Vera Ann Hartmann, 92, of Richmond, died September 23, 2021 at Reid Health. She was born December 10, 1928, in Eglon, Kentucky to Manford and Ollie Mae Carpenter Jones and lived here most of her life. She worked as a hairstylist and a Teacher’s Aide at Achieva. She was a member of the Southside Church […] — (Posted September 25, 2021)

Olive Christine Bray Olive Christine Bray, age 89, a resident of Mooreland, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Henry Community Health. She was born February 13, 1932 in Tateville, Kentucky and was a daughter of Elbert and Ethel China Dick. Christine worked at Brooks Foods, Henry County State Hospital and was a private in-home care provider. […] — (Posted September 25, 2021)

Najwani Raydean Parks Najwani Raydean Parks, age 64, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, September 23, 2021, at her home. Born December 4, 1956, in Richmond, Indiana, to Chester G. and Sheila C. Parks, Najwani was a life-long resident of this community. She graduated from Northeastern High School in 1974. Najwani worked as a registered nurse in surrounding hospitals […] — (Posted September 25, 2021)

Ellen Lee Brubaker Ellen Lee Brubaker, age 78, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Arbor Trace after a short illness. Born December 23, 1942, in New Castle, Indiana, to Albert P. “Smitty” and Wilma Lee Stone Smith, Ellen lived in Richmond most of her life. She retired from J&J Packaging in Brookville, Indiana, in 2005. […] — (Posted September 25, 2021)

Susan Freeberg Susan Freeberg, age 64, passed away on Monday September 20, 2021 at The Home at Taylor’s Pointe in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born on September 3, 1957 to Jerome and Marilyn Wickett Wilson in Richmond, Indiana. She was a graduate of Crown Point High School and lived in this area until moving to Cincinnati 5 […] — (Posted September 25, 2021)

Donald Lee Strunk Donald Lee Strunk, age 70, of Eldorado, Ohio, died Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at Reid Health. Don was born on June 27, 1951, in Oneida, Tennessee, to William E. and Glenna L. Duncan Strunk. He served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard for three years, receiving an honorable discharge. Don retired from Aunt […] — (Posted September 25, 2021)

Mildred Allen Mildred Allen, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Reid Health. Born July 18, 1927, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Clarence and Mattie Thacker Abrams, Mildred lived in Richmond most of her life. She worked as a quality control supervisor at PRC Recording Company from 1945 until it closed in 1986. Mildred […] — (Posted September 24, 2021)

Charles Wayne Copenhaver Richmond – Charles Wayne Copenhaver passed from his life of adventure and discovery on this earth into his next big adventure on the evening of December 1, 2020, in Richmond, Indiana, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and then a short battle with COVID-19. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. […] — (Posted September 24, 2021)

Robert Leslie Jacobs Robert Leslie Jacobs, 98, of Cambridge City, passed away on Monday September 20, 2021 at IU Health Saxony Hospital in Fishers, Indiana. He was born at home on January 17, 1923 to Walter L. and Marie (Crull) Jacobs. Bob graduated from Cambridge City High School in 1940. He served in the US Army from Nov. […] — (Posted September 24, 2021)

Betty L. Traylor Betty L. Traylor, 89, of Connersville, passed away late Tuesday evening, September 21, 2021 in Reid Hospice Care in Richmond where she had been a patient for the past week. She had been in failing health this past year. She was born June 12th, 1932 in Moscow, Indiana, one of four children of Albert Newton […] — (Posted September 24, 2021)

Phyllis J. Earlywine Phyllis J. Earlywine, age 92, of Connersville, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Phyllis was born May 20, 1929. Avisitation for family & friends for Phyllis will be held Monday, September 27, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy […] — (Posted September 24, 2021)

Carolyn S. Rayburn Carolyn S. Rayburn, 81, Dublin, passed away Wednesday morning September 22, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. A daughter of the late Walter and Elizabeth (Rogers) Moistner, Carolyn was born near Bentonville, Indiana on February 14, 1940. Carolyn lived most of her life in the Straughn and Cambridge City communities and graduated from Straughn […] — (Posted September 24, 2021)

Frank Wesley Hayes Frank Wesley Hayes, 82, of Hagerstown, died at his home on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. He was born near Hagerstown on February 13, 1939 to Frank C. and Ruth E. (Pittman) Hayes and was a life long resident of the Hagerstown area. Frank graduated from Hagerstown High School and served with the US Army. After […] — (Posted September 24, 2021)

Virginia A. Warren Virginia A. Warren, 73, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on September 21, 2021. She was born on November 5, 1947 in Richmond, Indiana to the late Elwood and Evelyn Strann Ketring. Virginia graduated from Richmond Community Schools and attended college to become a nurse. She spent many years in the nursing field as an LPN […] — (Posted September 23, 2021)

James F. Holmes James F. Holmes, 92, passed away on Tuesday, September 21. He was born on June 30, 1929 in Richmond, Indiana to Ralph and Mabel Norton Holmes. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1947. James was a US Air Force veteran of the Korean War who served as an aircraft mechanic. He retired after a […] — (Posted September 23, 2021)

Becky Stewart Becky Stewart, New Paris, passed away at home August 27, aged 70, after being diagnosed with cancer only a few weeks ago. She was not fearful of death and said she had lived a full 70 years. Becky or ‘Sis” to some family members died with her sons at her side at home. Becky was […] — (Posted September 23, 2021)

Carol E. Kennedy Carol E. Kennedy, age 72, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at Reid Health after a brief illness. Carol was born on February 26, 1949, in New Paris, Ohio, to William J. and Mary Jane Shock Hopkins. She worked for Richmond Community Schools, serving as a teacher’s aide and later as an assistant […] — (Posted September 23, 2021)

Brian Charles Hines Brian Charles Hines, age 69, of Richmond, Indiana, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Reid Health with his children by his side. Brian lived a fulfilling life, had many friends, and loved and cherished his children and family. He had empathy for others and […] — (Posted September 22, 2021)

Charles “Chuck” Roger Hirst Charles “Chuck” Roger Hirst, age 74, a Muncie resident and formerly of New Castle, passed away Monday, September 13, 2021 at I.U. Health Ball Hospital. He was born July 31, 1947 in Conway, Arkansas. Chuck was an automobile salesman for Goodwin Dodge in New Castle and Gaddis Chevrolet in Muncie. He was an Army veteran […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Homer Eugene “Gene” Logan Homer Eugene “Gene” Logan, age 84, a New Castle resident, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Henry Community Health. He was born September 18, 1936 in Byrdstown, Tennessee, a son of the late Carlos and Mae Mullins Logan. He was a New Castle resident most of his life and was retired from General Motors […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

William Devion Sutton William Devion Sutton, age 88, a New Castle resident, passed away Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Henry Community Health. He was born October 24, 1932 in Russell County, Kentucky and was the son of Henry and Mae (Lawless) Sutton. He married Twilla Mae Ocker in 1969 and retired from Indiana Muncie Bridge Company. He was […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Helen Marie Smith Helen Marie Smith, 89, a lifelong resident of Connersville, passed away Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Heritage House Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. She was born on May 18, 1932 in Union County to Charlie R. and Gertrude Mae Cain Cox and was a graduate of Milton High School. On November 11, 1950, Helen married Buryl […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Virginia J. Silvers Virginia J. Silvers, age 68, of Connersville, Indiana died September 19, 2021. Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Connersville. — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Wanetta Baker Scott Wanetta Baker Scott, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the age of 95 in her Connersville, Indiana home. She was born in Clover Bottom, Jackson County, Kentucky on October 7, 1925, one of four children to Milton and Bessie (Lunsford) Baker. The Baker family moved to […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Sarah Margaret “Maggie” Grubbs Sarah Margaret “Maggie” Grubbs, Richmond, 70, passed away at her residence on September 18, 2021. She was born March 22, 1951, in Harrison, Arkansas, the daughter of Charles Benjamin Grubbs and Mildred Anna Strate Grubbs. Maggie was raised in Madison, Indiana. She later resided in New Albany, Indiana and has most recently lived in Richmond, […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Dawn M. Davis Dawn M. Davis, age 47, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, September 20, 2021, at home surrounded by her family. Born August 27, 1974, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Rodney and Elma Gangtong Draculan, Dawn moved to Richmond in 2002. She worked as the general manager at O’Charley’s in Richmond and multiple other locations. Dawn was goal […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Darlene J. Lunt Darlene J. Lunt, age 74, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, September 19, 2021, at home surrounded by her family. Born July 29, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, to Anthony and Sophie Malanowski Wolnik, Darlene had lived in Richmond for the past 37 years. She was a 1965 graduate of Reavis High School in Burbank, Illinois. Darlene […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Frank Samuel Presley Frank Samuel Presley, 73, of Richmond died September 20, 2021, at Reid Health. He was born January 7, 1948, in Lackey, Kentucky, and lived here most of his life. He retired from carpet sales, and formerly worked as a bartender and operated a Deli. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Nancy K. Ferriell Nancy K. Ferriell, age 69, of Eaton, OH went to meet her Lord on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at her residence. She was born October 1, 1951 in Richmond, IN to the late J. Homer and Harriett Ethel (Hunsucker) Rutherford. Nancy was a 1969 graduate of Eaton High School; was a member of Visitation Catholic […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)

Erin Renee McDugle Erin Renee McDugle, age 38, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 13th, 2021, at her home. She was born July 7th, 1983, at Reid Memorial Hospital in Richmond. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marc McDugle (2008) and Pam McDugle (2005). She is survived by her brother, Marc McDugle II, her […] — (Posted September 21, 2021)