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 Eugene “Gene” Oakerson Robert Eugene “Gene” Oakerson, 87, died Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Albany Healthcare, where he had recently resided. He was born in Randolph County on May 16, 1934 to John and Letha (Hodson) Oakerson, and was a life long resident of the Modoc area. Gene was a farmer, formerly managed the seed co-op at Pinch, […] — (Posted June 6, 2021)

Kyle Lee McFarland Kyle Lee McFarland, 59, of Hagerstown, died at his home on Sunday, May 23, 2021. He was born in Richmond on March 5, 1962 to Donald and Kay (Smith) McFarland. He resided in Lynn until moving to Hagerstown 29 years ago. Kyle was a member of Hagerstown First Baptist Church. Survivors include his mother, Kay […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Steven D. Yost Steven D. Yost (50) left his earthly body to gain his heavenly one unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Born February 3, 1971, to the late Benny Yost and Judith (Flora) Yost, he had lived in Richmond all his life. Steve was a 1989 graduate of Richmond High School, was a saw operator by trade […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Robert “Bob” Wardlow, Jr. Robert “Bob” Wardlow, Jr., age 66, formerly of Richmond, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at his daughter’s home in Portland. Bob was born on March 21, 1955, in Richmond, Indiana, the son of Robert Wardlow, Sr. and Nancy (Gray) Smith. He worked for J.M. Hutton Stamping in Richmond, Indiana. He was a member […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Joyce A. Perry Joyce A. Perry, age 60, Centerville, went home to be with our Lord & Savior on June 1, 2021. She was born November 25, 1960, the daughter of Edward and Virginia Perry, in Richmond, Indiana. Joyce attended Centerville Schools. She loved to play games on her computer and she thought the world of her nieces […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Betty Cline Betty Cline, age 89, a New Castle resident, passed away Tuesday, June 1, 2021. She was born December 6, 1931, a daughter of Stoney and Iva Dobbs. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and visiting residents in area nursing homes. She also loved traveling, attending church, clogging, cooking, especially her delicious pies. […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Betty Jo Conder Betty Jo Conder, 67, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on June 1, 2021. She was born on November 12, 1953 in Richmond, Indiana to William D. Conder and Alice J. King Conder. Betty worked for many years at KMart and most recently at the Village Pantry. She enjoyed her family, her dogs and the many […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Linda Jane Needles Linda Jane Needles, age 78, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Born January 28, 1943, in Richmond, Indiana, to George and Betty Willis Kay, Linda graduated from Centerville High School in 1961. She was a homemaker and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Survivors include her husband, […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Cheryl Ann Wright Cheryl Ann Wright, 59, of Boston, Indiana passed away June 2, 2021, at St. Vincent Hospital. She was born August 1, 1961, in Dayton, Ohio to Walter L. and Marlene L. Barlow Thompson and lived in this area most of her life. She worked as a program coordinator for Help at Home. She was a […] — (Posted June 4, 2021)

Richard A. “Slim” Kirk, Jr. Richard A. “Slim” Kirk, Jr., age 65, a New Castle resident, passed away Friday, May 28, 2021. He was born October 20, 1955 in Beechgrove, Indiana. He was a 1974 graduate of John Marshall High School in Indianapolis and then entered the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was an explosive specialist and […] — (Posted June 3, 2021)

Rev. Dr. Nancy Nelson Rev. Dr. Nancy Nelson, 70, passed away on Monday, May 31, at Friends Fellowship Community. She was born Nancy Jo Williams in Winchester, Indiana, on June 3, 1950, the daughter of Robert D. “Bob” & Phyllis C. McIntire Williams. Nancy was a 1968 graduate of Northeastern High School. She continued her education, earning her B.A. […] — (Posted June 3, 2021)

Richard Lee Culp Richard Lee Culp, age 76, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, May 28, 2021, at Golden LivingCenter – Richmond. Born November 25, 1944, in Columbus, Ohio, to Raymond Lee and Janice Foulk Culp, Richard lived in Connersville, Indiana, for many years. He attended Green Acres/Achieva Resources Corporation, Inc. in Richmond. Richard enjoyed going to McDonald’s. Survivors […] — (Posted June 3, 2021)

Joyce D. Wood Joyce D. Wood, 71, of New Castle passed away Monday, May 31, 2021 at Heritage House of New Castle. She was born April 17, 1950 in Brandy Keg, Kentucky, a daughter of the late James and Betty (Prater) Baker. Joyce was a very loving person. She had a great love for her daughters and her […] — (Posted June 2, 2021)

Gerald A. “Jerry” Adams Gerald A. “Jerry” Adams, age 84, formerly of Wayne County, Indiana, passed away Friday, May 28, 2021, at Reid Health. Born October 28, 1936, in Connersville, Indiana, to Wesley Handley and Inis May Bean Adams, Jerry graduated from Connersville High School in 1954. He worked as a farmhand before buying his first farm in 1965, […] — (Posted June 2, 2021)

Russell Edwin Dunkelbarger The 26th day of May, 2021, Russell Edwin Dunkelbarger went home to be with the Lord. He was born July 14th, 1950, to Richard and Jean Dunkelbarger, in Richmond, Indiana. He had resided most of his life in Richmond. He was a handy man and a former employee of Johns Manville. He was a proud Vietnam […] — (Posted June 2, 2021)

Betty Lou Harper Betty Lou Harper, 84, of Richmond died May 29, 2021, at Arbor Trace. She was born November 30, 1936, in Owingsville, Kentucky to John and Audrey Warren Goodpaster and lived here most of her life. She was a homemaker and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty Lou is survived by two daughters Lisa Brockman of […] — (Posted June 2, 2021)

Carol Sue Clay Carol Sue Clay, age 76, of Connersville, Indiana, died Sunday, May 16, 2021, at Majestic Care of Connersville. Born January 3, 1945, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Osbin and Velva Pfaff Clay, Carol lived in Indiana all her life. Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Tim Drake, Tamara Hubeny, Susie Boese, Rick Edward, Kelly Clay, Ray […] — (Posted June 2, 2021)

Allen Dale Farmer Mr. Allen Dale Farmer, 79, of Pershing, IN, passed away the morning of Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond, IN surrounded by his family. Allan was born on February, 21, 1942 in Beattyville in Lee County, KY to Willard and Martha Juanita Burke Farmer who preceded him in death. He was a […] — (Posted June 2, 2021)

Keith William Cates Keith William Cates, age 71 of Richmond passed away Wednesday (May 26, 2021) at Reid Hospital. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on May 25, 1950, to Karl and Roberta Cates and was a lifelong resident of Wayne County. Keith grew up southwest of Centerville on a farm and graduated from Cambridge City-Lincoln High School, […] — (Posted June 2, 2021)

Anita Cheryl White Anita Cheryl White, 61, of Richmond died unexpectedly at Reid Health on May 27, 2021. She was born June 29, 1959, in Berea, Kentucky to Jackie and Juanita Bowels Hellard and lived here most of her life. She retired as Manager of Long John Silver’s. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Survivors include three […] — (Posted May 29, 2021)

Elizabeth (Betty) Hope Powell Bunner Elizabeth (Betty) Hope Powell Bunner departed peacefully from this Earth after living a deeply fulfilling life for 101 years. She was born on February 17, 1920 on their farm near Amboy Indiana to Merle and Bessie Powell. Her parents gave her the middle name of Hope, after they had endured the painful loss of three […] — (Posted May 29, 2021)

Richard Arden Craig Richard Arden Craig, 69, Lynn, passed away on Monday, September 14, at home in Mobile, Alabama, with his wife and son at his side. Richard was born in Winchester, Indiana on May 17, 1951, the son of Roy Arden and Naomi Jane Shook Craig, both of whom preceded him in death. He was a 1969 […] — (Posted May 29, 2021)

Geneva Bane Geneva Bane, 95 of Richmond passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on May 28, 2021, at Arbor Trace. She was born February 19, 1926, in Hamilton, Ohio to Gardner and Anna Thomas Waddell and lived in the Richmond area most of her life. She enjoyed gardening, country music, and her grandchildren, and was a […] — (Posted May 29, 2021)

Everett Myrel Ballinger Everett Myrel Ballinger, 82 of New Paris, Ohio, passed away suddenly Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. Born on September 2, 1938 in Orlando, Rock Castle County, Kentucky he was the son of the late Elmer & Dovie V. (Vanzant) Ballinger. Myrel was a 1957 Livingston Kentucky High School graduate. He […] — (Posted May 29, 2021)

Robert William Abrams Robert William Abrams, 88, of Greens Fork, passed away May 25, 2021, at his home after a long illness. He was born December 1, 1932, in Jackson Co., Kentucky, to Cephus and Bessie Thacker Abrams; he lived in Richmond most of his life. He worked in several factories and retired from Kemper Cabinets. He was […] — (Posted May 27, 2021)

David Russell Dumford With sadness and love, the family of David Russell Dumford announces his passing at his home in New Castle with his wife, Lisa by his side on Monday, May 24th from an extended illness. Dave was born May 13, 1950 in New Castle, Indiana and was a son of the late Omar Woodrow Dumford and […] — (Posted May 27, 2021)

Evelyn Christina Dumford On the morning of May 8, 2021, Evelyn Christina Dumford, age 91, went home to be with the Lord. She passed surrounded by loved ones. Evelyn was a beautiful woman who loved with her whole heart. She lived her life to the fullest with much vim and vigor. Evelyn was a longtime resident of Hagerstown. […] — (Posted May 26, 2021)

Helen Virginia Black Helen Virginia Black, 87, Cambridge City, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 23, 2021. She was born on August 8, 1933 in Lynn, Indiana to Jack and Francis Ballard. Helen lived most of her life in Cambridge City with her husband, Johnie Guy Black, where they raised their 8 children. Helen graduated […] — (Posted May 26, 2021)

Linda E. Tangeman Linda E. Tangeman, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at Reid Health. Born August 31, 1938, in New Paris, Ohio, to Ralph and Jessie Caldwell Steele, Linda lived in New Paris and Richmond all her life. She was a 1956 graduate of Jefferson High School in New Paris, where she […] — (Posted May 26, 2021)

Patricia L. Parker Patricia L. Parker, 68, of Richmond died surrounded by her family on May 23, 2021, at Reid Health. She was born October 20, 1953, in Richmond to Thurman and Sadie Landis Parker and lived here all her life. She retired from Kemper-Masterbrand. She enjoyed reading and jigsaw puzzles. Survivors include three children Bruce Perry of […] — (Posted May 26, 2021)