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.

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)

Anthony Malott Anthony Malott, 30, Richmond, died October 3, 2021 Arrangements: Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond. — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Donna Jean Horn Donna Jean Horn, 62, of Richmond, passed away September 19, 2021, at Reid Health after a long illness. She was born March 18, 1959, in Winchester, to Carl and Marian Kelly Gilbert and lived in this area most of her life. She was a Navy wife and a homemaker; a shooting star whose light has […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Bruce Edward Ullrich Bruce Edward Ullrich, age 75, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, October 3, 2021, at home surrounded by his family after a long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bruce was born on May 22, 1946, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Forrest and Beverly Overman Ullrich. He moved to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1986 to work as a manager […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Lacy Clayton Barnett Richmond – Lacy Clayton Barnett passed away on October 2, 2021, at the age of 94, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born in Empire, Alabama, to Thomas Columbus and Artie Missie Barnett. As the youngest of eight children growing up during the Great Depression, Lacy acquired a strong work ethic and commitment to his family […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Carl Edward “Ed” Anderson Carl Edward “Ed” Anderson, age 79, Richmond, passed away on Monday October 4, 2021 at Reid Health. He was born in Lagro, Indiana on September 13, 1942 to Louis and Mildred Cooper Anderson and lived in the Richmond area most of his life. Ed worked as a truck driver and was a retired employee of […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Sylvia Floyd Sylvia Floyd, age 79, Richmond, passed away October 3, 2021, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 21, 1942, to Samuel and Lou Emma Reece in Lee County, Kentucky. Sylvia had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a graduate of Richmond Community Schools. She was an […] — (Posted October 6, 2021)

Brenda Joyce Iva Stone Brenda Joyce Iva Stone, 71, of Richmond, died unexpectedly in her home on October 2, 2021. She was born July 30, 1950, in Richmond to Robert H. and Iva Minnix Starn and lived in this area most of her life. She was a licensed practical nurse. She is survived by her significant other Jack A. […] — (Posted October 5, 2021)

Jennifer Joan Boggs Jennifer Joan Boggs, 54, of New Paris died unexpectedly on October 2, 2021. She was born October 20, 1966, in Richmond, to Denver Carter and Barbara Starn Raper, and lived in this area most of her life. She worked as a licensed practical nurse. She is survived by her two sons Cameron and Lucas Boggs […] — (Posted October 5, 2021)