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.

John Dewayne Porter John Dewayne Porter was born on November 13, 1949 in Richmond Indiana. Son to Ralph and Onia Porter and big brother to Edward Porter, he spent his 71 years building a full life in Richmond. John truly did not know a stranger and was always the first to run to a friend’s aid. His sense […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Adenna “Lois” Walton Adenna “Lois” Walton, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, January 24, 2021, at The Leland Legacy Senior Community. Born September 28, 1931, in Reges, Kentucky, to Isom and Emma Riddell Edwards, Lois lived in Richmond most of her life. She worked at several local insurance agencies for over 20 years. Lois was an active […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

John E. Murray John E. Murray, age 86, of Connersville, Indiana, died Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at his home. Born January 18, 1935, in Clay County, Kentucky, to John Henry and America Hensley Murray, John lived in Connersville most of his life. He retired from D&M (Design & Manufacturing) and was the owner of Murray’s Work Clothes, both […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Marie L. “Sandy” Neukam Marie L. “Sandy” Neukam 93 of Liberty died January 25, 2021, at Reid Health. She was born June 14, 1927, in Richmond to Earl and Della Cozad Sanders and lived in the Liberty area most of her life. She was a graduate of Richmond High School. She formerly worked at Starr Piano Company in the […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Joyce P. Farmer Joyce P. Farmer, Economy, passed away peacefully at the age of 91, on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Joyce was born on May 30, 1929, in New Castle, Indiana to Fred and Martha (McLear) Johnson. She was a 1947 graduate of Hagerstown High School and earned a medical assisting degree in Elkhart, Indiana in 1948. She […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Clifford A. Kidd Clifford A. Kidd, 74, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Henry Community Health. He was born March 31, 1946 in Vincennes, IN to the late Jimmie and Aline (Tweedy) Kidd. Clifford retired from Visteon Corp. in Connersville and loved attending the Pentecostal church. He was a very caring person and he […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Brenda K. Brattain Brenda K. Brattain, 48, of Cambridge City passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at IU Health Ball Hospital. She was born July 26, 1972 in Henry County to Larry and Betty (Wallen) Clapp, Sr. of Mt. Summit. She was a 1990 graduate of Blue River Valley High School. Brenda always was thinking of others before […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Michael Lynn York Michael Lynn York, age 70, of New Castle, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born February 8, 1950 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of Wendell and Juanita (Taylor) York. Michael worked at the Henry County Highway Department for five years and for Wayne Trucking Company for […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Ella Fern Blount Ella Fern Blount, formerly of Losantville, passed away at the age of 96, on January 17, 2021, following a bout of pneumonia (not covid related). Ella Fern was born December 30, 1924, in South Bend, IN, the daughter of Harold Seth & Leona (Morris) Smith. She was released into the care of the Knightstown Soldiers […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Terry L. Stegner Terry L. Stegner, age 69, a New Castle resident, passed away peacefully at her home, Tuesday, January 26, 2021 surrounded by her loving family at her side. She was born February 5, 1951 in New Castle, a daughter of the late Don and Sylvia Kissick Murphy. Terry attended New Castle Schools and worked 18 years […] — (Posted January 28, 2021)

Patricia A. “Pat” Martin Patricia A. “Pat” Martin, age 76, of Cambridge City, Indiana, died Monday, January 25, 2021, at Reid Health. Pat was born January 29, 1944, in Richmond, Indiana, and lovingly raised by her mother and father, Dorothy Mae Smith Juett and Woodrow W. Juett. She lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of her life and was […] — (Posted January 27, 2021)

Lois Joan Simpson Lois Joan Simpson, 92, of Milton, Indiana passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at her residence after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born in Connersville, In on April 23, 1828 to Clifford G. and Mildred M. Nelson Wright and had lived in Fayette and Wayne Counties all of her life. […] — (Posted January 27, 2021)

Paul Eric Hewitt Paul Eric Hewitt, 50, of Richmond, IN, passed away Monday, January 25th, 2021, at his home, surrounded by loved ones. Paul Eric Hewitt was born on June 6th, 1970 in Oxnard, CA, and is the son of Lynn and Russell Hewitt of Western Australia. Paul graduated from Armadale Senior High School in Perth suburb of […] — (Posted January 27, 2021)

Doris Ellen (Taylor) Brenneman Doris Ellen (Taylor) Brenneman, 84, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at Henry Community Health following a brief illness. She was born on September 7, 1936, in Fairfield, Illinois, a daughter of the late Roy and Della (Perkins) Taylor. Doris was a 1954 […] — (Posted January 27, 2021)

Mendel Howard Russell, Sr. Mendel Howard Russell, Sr., 79, of Connersville passed away Saturday evening, January 23, 2021 at Reid Health, Richmond. One of nine children of Elbert and Nellie Lingman Russell, Mendel was born in Connersville on December 5, 1941 and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1959. Following graduation, Mendel served his country in […] — (Posted January 27, 2021)

James Ellis Taylor James Ellis Taylor, 79, Cambridge City, passed away Saturday evening January 23, 2021 in the emergency room at Henry Community Health in New Castle, Indiana. A son of the late Summitt and Lucyle (Covalt) Taylor, James was born in New Castle, Indiana on April 8, 1941. He grew up in Millville, graduated from Hagerstown High […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Joe Billy Mayberry Joe Billy Mayberry, 80, of Richmond, Indiana was born on July 15, 1940 in Centerville, Tennessee. On Tuesday, January 12,2021 Joe was called home to join the Lord and his family that preceded him in death. Joe was a graduate of O.H. Bernard High School in Hickman County, Tennessee. He went on to continue his […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Marvin H. France Jr. Former Union County resident Marvin H. France Jr., 90, died Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Columbus Transitional Care and Rehabilitation in Columbus, Indiana. Marvin was born to Marvin H. France Sr. and Sallie Jessup Poindexter France on June 13, 1930, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. After graduating High School, Marvin continued his education at The University of […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Charles E. Blevins Charles E. Blevins, age 81, of Hagerstown, Indiana, died Sunday, January 24, 2021, at his son’s home in Economy, Indiana. Born January 18, 1940, in Jonesborough, Tennessee, to Emory and Judneal Laws Blevins, Charles moved to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1963. He worked for L.M. Kettler and Ralph Whisenhunt before becoming a self-employed plasterer and […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Gerald “Jerry” Stevens Gerald “Jerry” Stevens, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021, at his home. Born June 19, 1933, in Richmond, Indiana, Jerry was the seventh child of William and Hattie Stevens. He was a 1951 graduate of Richmond High School. Jerry served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1954 […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Peggy Teel Peggy Teel, 92, of Jacksonburg, died Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Henry Community Health. She was born in New Castle on March 27, 1928 to Harry H. and Gertrude (Brooks) Stenzle and was raised in Hagerstown.. Peggy was a retired employee of Ford / Visteon at Connersville and a former member of Phi Chi Epsilon […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Jim “Beef” Rains Jim “Beef” Rains, 57, of New Castle passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 24, 2021. He was born June 26, 1963 in New Castle to the late Bill and Ginger (Woodward) Rains. He was a 1981 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School and attended Ball State University where he studied accounting. He […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Cathy Jo Brown Cathy Jo Brown, age 66 of New Castle died Friday, January 22, 2021, peacefully in her home with her family following a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born May 13, 1954 in New Castle, Indiana and was the daughter of Joseph Milton Whitehouse and Mary Katherine Stickelman Whitehouse. She was a 1973 graduate […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Michael D. Underwood Michael D. Underwood, 74, of Connersville, passed away Monday evening, January 18, 2021 at Greenfield Healthcare Center, Greenfield, Indiana. One of five children of Wendell David and Cora Alice Hollingsworth Underwood, Michael was born in Linton, Indiana on August 2, 1946, and graduated from Muncie Central High School. On September 23, 1967, he married the […] — (Posted January 26, 2021)

Norma Jean Whitaker Norma Jean Whitaker 68 of Richmond passed away January 23, 2021 at Reid Health after a long illness. She was born October 9, 1952 in Bath, Indiana to Victor Charles and Florence Smith Stenger and lived in this area all of her life. She worked as a waitress. She is survived by her husband of […] — (Posted January 25, 2021)

Betty L. Oler Betty L. Oler, age 81, of Richmond, IN passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her children. She was born July 23, 1939 in Battle Creek, MI. She was preceded in death by her father Eldon Dunham and mother Nora (Phil) Berman; and husband Jerry J. Oler. She is survived […] — (Posted January 25, 2021)

Denise Kay Burkhart Denise Kay Burkhart, 70, passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, Indiana on Sunday evening January 24, 2021, after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. Denise was born in Logansport, Indiana on June 16, 1950 to the late William T. and Betty Jo (Swearingen) Densborn. She was a loyal and devoted wife, mother, grandmother […] — (Posted January 25, 2021)

Beatrice Dooley Chamness Beatrice Dooley Chamness, 93, of Richmond, a loving wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and aunt died January 17, 2021, at Arbor Trace. She was born March 6, 1927, in Wildie, Kentucky to James B. and Eva Pennington Dooley and lived here most of her life. She retired from Earlham College. Survivors include her son Joe […] — (Posted January 24, 2021)

Dr. Donald Jacob Reed Jr. LTC Dr. Donald Jacob Reed Jr., US Army (Ret.) It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that the family of Dr. Donald J. Reed announces his passing on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Dr. Reed was 63 when he succumbed to complications from a brief illness. Dr. Reed was born on April 29, 1957 in […] — (Posted January 24, 2021)

Phyllis M. Schoop Phyllis M. Schoop 75 of Williamsburg went to be with the Lord Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Reid Health. She was born June 10, 1945, in Richmond to LeRoy and Mary Gray Hollingsworth and lived in Wayne County all her life. Phyllis was a homemaker. She was a member of the Temple of God Church, […] — (Posted January 24, 2021)