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.

Tina L. Taylor Tina L. Taylor, age 54, a New Castle resident, passed away Friday, February 19, 2021 at Henry Community Health. She was born December 4, 1966 in New Castle, Indiana, and was the daughter of Addis Ray and Josephine Dewitt Hicks. She was a life-long New Castle resident and a graduate of New Castle Chrysler High […] — (Posted February 28, 2021)

Phillip E “Huck” Huckeby Phillip E “Huck” Huckeby, 67, of New Castle went to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, February 25, 2021 at IU Ball Memorial Hospital after a battling a long illness. He was born November 25, 1953 to the late Virginia Lee (Smith) Wagner in Orange County, California. Huck was a 1972 graduate of Walter […] — (Posted February 28, 2021)

Kaye Chomel Branson Kaye Chomel Branson, 80, of Connersville went home to be with the Lord late Thursday evening, February 25, 2021 surrounded by her loving family at Reid Health, Richmond. The oldest of two daughters of Roy and Helen Chomel Kellam, Kaye was born in Connersville on July 26, 1940 and graduated from Connersville High School with […] — (Posted February 28, 2021)

Robert Allen Robinson Robert Allen Robinson (Skip), age 73, of Independence, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2021, at Medicalodge in Independence. Memorial graveside services and visitation will be held at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence with military graveside rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 1186 or American […] — (Posted February 28, 2021)

Henry Meredith Tilmans Henry Meredith Tilmans, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, February 26, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. Henry was born June 12, 1931, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, to Henry Ernest and Nancy Ellen Humes Tilmans. He was a 1949 graduate of Richmond High School and attended Purdue University. Henry received his bachelor’s […] — (Posted February 28, 2021)

Ralph Junior Silvers Ralph Junior Silvers, 98, of New Paris, Ohio, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 13, 1923, in Gratis, Ohio, a son of the late Roy and Mae (Coleman) Silvers. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen […] — (Posted February 26, 2021)

Virginia Ann Williams Virginia Ann Williams, 76, of Lynn, formerly of Brookville, passed away on Thursday, February 25 at Reid Health. She was born in Fayetteville, West Virginia on June 13, 1944, the daughter of Frank & Freda Prater Simms, both of whom preceded her in death. Virginia and her husband lived in the Brookville community for 21 […] — (Posted February 26, 2021)

John B. Steele John B. Steele, age 78, of Richmond, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, February 25, 2021, at Golden LivingCenter – Golden Rule. Born September 8, 1942, in Richmond, Indiana, to Everette D. and Sadie McDaniel Steele Sr., John lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life. He graduated from Greens Fork […] — (Posted February 26, 2021)

Donna Pauline Simpson-Scheer Donna Pauline Simpson-Scheer, 72, Richmond, passed from this life at her home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. She was born on August 2, 1948, at Reid Memorial Hospital. She was the daughter of Orville J. and Hazel Irene (Bane) Willis. She was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was married to […] — (Posted February 26, 2021)

Thomas H. Joiner Thomas H. Joiner, 78, of Richmond passed away peacefully on February 22, 2021, at his home. He was born June 5, 1942, in Richmond to Harry and Martha Commons Joiner and lived here all his life. He was the former owner of Commons Lumber Company. He was an Army veteran and a member of Calvary […] — (Posted February 25, 2021)

Mabel Hagen Shafer Mabel Hagen Shafer, at the age of 104, relocated to her home in Heaven on February 4, 2021 after a brief illness. Mabel was born on March 1, 1916 in Minnesota to the late Earl Hagen and Ethel Grace Hornbeck. Her family moved to central Indiana shortly after her birth where she eventually met and […] — (Posted February 25, 2021)

William A. “Bill” Weaver William A. “Bill” Weaver, 77, of Falmouth, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, February 22, 2021. He was born May 4, 1943 in Cincinnati, OH, a son of the late Arthur and Marjorie (Darwin) Weaver. Full of energy, personality, always active and busy, Bill lived life to the fullest up to the very […] — (Posted February 25, 2021)

Deborah Ann Scott Deborah Ann Scott, 53, of New Castle, passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 16, 1967 in Leavenworth, KS, the daughter of Jay Richard and Carol Ann (Card) Jones. She graduated from high school in Sturgis, Michigan and earned her Bachelor’s degree from […] — (Posted February 25, 2021)

William S. “Bill” Jackman William S. “Bill” Jackman, 75, Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, February 22, 2021, at Reid Health after a short illness. Bill was born on September 4, 1945, in Helena, Montana to Roy Lionel and Phyllis (Baker) Jackman. Bill married Cynthia Cash on June 22, 1985, in Yadkinville, North Carolina. Known as “The Fruit Man” at the […] — (Posted February 25, 2021)

Bernard L. Bryant Bernard L. Bryant, 79, of Richmond, passed away on February 23, 2021, at Reid Health after a long illness. He was born April 5, 1941, in St. Charles, Virginia to William and Gladys Rowe Bryant; he lived here for the last 10 years. Bernard was a self-employed home builder who loved auctions. He was loved […] — (Posted February 24, 2021)

Cheryl Kitchel Joiner Cheryl Kitchel Joiner passed peacefully on February 20th at Reid Health. She was born on January 29, 1944, in Richmond, IN. She was the daughter of Marion and Rosalind Hartman Kitchel and had lived many years in Richmond. After graduating from Richmond High School, she attended Butler University, Earlham College, and Ball State University where she […] — (Posted February 24, 2021)

Norma E. Duffin Norma E. Duffin, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at Arbor Trace surrounded by her family. A memorial service will be announced by the family in the spring. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com. — (Posted February 24, 2021)

Bernard “Bernie” D. Brown Bernard “Bernie” D. Brown, 85, passed away Tuesday morning, February 23, 2021 at his home in Connersville. One of eight children of Delmar and Helen Sherwood Brown, Bernie was born in Connersville on August 29, 1935 and graduated from Laurel High School with the class of 1954. On September 15, 1962, Bernie married the former […] — (Posted February 24, 2021)

George Arthur Fields George Arthur Fields, 86, of Connersville, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond. He was born in Fayette County, Indiana to Arthur and Mary Smith Fields on September 3, 1934. He graduated from Alquina High School in 1952, and served honorably in the US Marine Corp. from 1955-1959. After his discharge […] — (Posted February 24, 2021)

Vernon “Jeff” Smith Vernon “Jeff” Smith, 64, of Connersville passed away Friday, February 19, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond. Jeff was born March 2, 1956 in Connersville, one of seven children of Vernon and Sallie Williams Smith and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1975. He was a veteran of the Indiana National Guard […] — (Posted February 23, 2021)

Debra Kay Keen Debra Kay Keen, 71, of Connersville passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Reid Health, Richmond. One of eight children of William and Virginia Taylor Sams, Debra was born in Blooming Grove, Franklin County, Indiana on July 11, 1949. She graduated from Brookville High School with the class of 1967 and earned her associate degree […] — (Posted February 23, 2021)

Barbara Frances Conn Taylor Barbara Frances Conn Taylor, age 85, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, February 19, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Franklin, Indiana. Born August 4, 1935, in Louisville, Kentucky, to W. Chester and Frances Stalker Conn, Barbara was a 1953 graduate of Atherton High School in Louisville. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in […] — (Posted February 22, 2021)

Michael Anthony Warren Michael Anthony Warren, age74, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, February 20, 2021. He was born October 25, 1946, to George A. Warren and Ada Pennington in Richmond, Indiana. Michael was a lifelong resident of Wayne County. He attended Richmond Community Schools and was a United States Army Veteran. He had worked at […] — (Posted February 22, 2021)

Roger C. Yesh Roger C. Yesh, age 90, Richmond, passed away on February 18, 2021 in his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Bronson, Michigan to Joseph and Gertrude (Kolassa) Yesh on July 8, 1930. He graduated from Bronson High School in 1949. He was a member of the U.S. Army and served in the […] — (Posted February 22, 2021)

Walter L. “Walt” Wyatt Walter L. “Walt” Wyatt, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, February 21, 2021, at Reid Health. Born June 29, 1933, in Richmond, Indiana, to Iredell and Reca Jane Cope Wyatt, Walt was a life-long resident of Richmond. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Walt earned an associate degree from Ivy Tech […] — (Posted February 22, 2021)

Nina M. Houser Nina M. Houser, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, February 22, 2021, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born November 26, 1931, in College Corner, Ohio, to Pearl and Sarah Inman Gard, Nina lived in the Wayne County area most of her life. Survivors include her son, Mark (Gaila) Houser Jr. of Richmond; grandchildren; siblings, […] — (Posted February 22, 2021)

Van Eric Van Meter Van Eric Van Meter departed this life, unexpectedly on February 15, 2021. Van was born on April 24, 1965 in Richmond, Indiana to Robert H. Van Meter and Nina F. Wright-Van Meter. He was known for his infectious smile, love of dancing, outgoing personality, oatmeal scotchies, and chocolate chip cookies. Van was talented in multiple […] — (Posted February 22, 2021)

D. Dean Smith D. Dean Smith, 68 of Richmond, IN passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones in his home in the early morning hours on February 20, 2021. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 27 at Stegall Berheide Orr Funeral Home at 1 pm and the calling is from 11 am-1 pm. We will be […] — (Posted February 21, 2021)

Kenneth Harold McCarty Kenneth Harold McCarty, 90, New Castle, passed away Saturday February 20, 2021 at Stonebrooke Nursing Home in New Castle, Indiana. Kenneth was born in Connersville, Indiana on January 5, 1931. He was raised and lived many years in the Dublin community and attended Lincoln High School in Cambridge City. Kenneth served his country with honor […] — (Posted February 21, 2021)

J.C. Phillips J.C. Phillips, 78, Richmond, Indiana left this world on February 17th, 2021 to join his beloved wife, Lorene Phillips in God’s prepared place. He left on his terms and his way surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesday, February 24th at Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary, followed by his funeral service […] — (Posted February 21, 2021)