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.

Shirley A. Higbie Shirley A. Higbie, age 84, a New Castle resident, passed away Friday, September 24, 2021 at Henry Community Health. She was born April 23, 1937 in Fayette County, Indiana, a daughter of the late Hershel and Rosa Foster May. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Teaching and was a teacher for several years. […] — (Posted September 28, 2021)

Amanda Schoettmer Amanda Schoettmer, 39, of New Castle went home to be with the Lord on Sunday afternoon, September 26, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born August 28, 1982 in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of the late James Louis Shepard and Charlotte (Dock) Huffman. Amanda was a loving mother to her three […] — (Posted September 28, 2021)

Ricky L. Orr Ricky L. Orr, 71, of Spiceland passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield. He was born October 11, 1949 in Henry County, Indiana, a son of the late Harold Jr. and Ruby Evelyn (Catron) Orr. Ricky retired from Allegheny-Ludlum in 2010 after 36 years of service. He belonged to United […] — (Posted September 28, 2021)

Timothy Lawrence Shepherd Timothy Lawrence Shepherd, 63, of Connersville, passed away early Thursday morning, September 23, 2021 at his residence. He was born August 24, 1958 in Connersville to Lawrence and Ruth Ann Louise Doyle Shepherd, and he graduated from Connersville High School in 1976. Timothy worked at Visteon for seventeen years before working as a boilermaker for […] — (Posted September 28, 2021)

Michael Abercrombie Michael Abercrombie, 56, of Connersville passed away early Tuesday morning, September 21, 2021 at his home. One of three children of Harry and Bobbie Jean Hubbard Abercrombie, Michael was born in Connersville on July 29, 1965 and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1983. Michael served his country in the United States […] — (Posted September 28, 2021)

James Samuel “Jim” Sweet, Jr. Born to James Sweet, Sr. and Lucille Reinhardt Sweet in Shelbyville, IN in 1929. Married the love of his life, Mary Clare “Dolly” Sweet, on Aug 25, 1951. Father of six children, grandfather to eleven, great-grandfather of seventeen and great-great grandfather of two, he filled their lives with love, laughter, love of country and service […] — (Posted September 27, 2021)

Sharon Ann Stiens Sharon Ann Stiens, age 75, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, September 24, 2021, at Reid Health. Born April 19, 1946, in Richmond, Indiana, to Dale Via and Mary Elizabeth Prows Via, Sharon was a life-long resident of this community. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1964. Sharon was a member of Surety Community Church, […] — (Posted September 27, 2021)

Mark Edward Reisert Jr. Mark Edward Reisert Jr., 47, Pershing, passed away Saturday evening September 25, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana from complications of COVID19. Mark was born in Connersville, Indiana on April 29, 1974. He graduated from Connersville Senior High School in 1992 and attended Ivy Tech. Mark was an auto mechanic and had been employed […] — (Posted September 27, 2021)

Kevin Michael Hartz Kevin Michael Hartz, 36, of Richmond died September 23, 2021, at Kindred Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born May 16, 1985, in Burlington, Vermont. He was a Department Manager at Cabella’s Outdoors. Survivors include his mother Ann Bedard, his father Mike Hartz, one sister Whitney French (Harley Messer), and one niece Paisley Messer. A celebration […] — (Posted September 26, 2021)

Reverend Mary Jane Modlin Reverend Mary Jane Modlin, age 92, of New Castle, a member of Foursquare Gospel Church, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center in New Castle. She was born May 9, 1929 in New Castle, Indiana a daughter of Fannie Winslow Fears. Mary Jane attended school at […] — (Posted September 26, 2021)

Ronald Eugene Short Ronald Eugene Short, 82, New Lisbon, passed away early Friday morning September 24, 2021 at Henry Community Health in New Castle, Indiana from complications of COVID19. A son of the late Eugene W. and Loraine C. (Cregar) Short, Ron was born in Dublin, Indiana on February 23, 1939. Following graduation from Knightstown High School, Ron […] — (Posted September 26, 2021)

Barbara Sanders Barbara Sanders, 83, Cambridge City, passed away Friday afternoon September 24, 2021 at the home of her daughter in Cambridge City, Indiana. A daughter of the late Robert Leo and Irene (Ewing) Radcliffe, Barbara was born in Beaver Township, Pulaski County, Indiana on February 6, 1938. Barbara grew up in Francesville and graduated from high […] — (Posted September 26, 2021)

Floyd Wesley Brown Floyd Wesley Brown, 80, Greens Fork, passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2021 in Davenport, Florida. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on August 2, 1941. Floyd received a B.S. and M.A. in Education from Ball State University. He was married to Barbara Russell until her passing in December of 2014. Known throughout his childhood […] — (Posted September 26, 2021)

Doug Dale Doug Dale, A one of a kind guy! Born on May 26, 1955. He was a proud veteran who loved his country, his family and his friends. Come celebrate his life with us on October 30, 2021 at Bethesda Worship Center on 2200 Peacock Rd. Richmond, IN 47374. Instead of flowers, bring stories and memories to […] — (Posted September 25, 2021)

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)