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.

Naoma M. McGough Mrs. Naoma M. McGough, 79, formerly of Williamsburg, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 28 while surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home. Naoma was born in Springfield, Kentucky to Raymond S. Wilkerson and Hazel R. Alsip Wilkerson on November 27, 1941. When she was 6, her father […] — (Posted January 31, 2021)

Loretta Mae Brown Loretta Mae Brown, 95 of New Paris, Ohio, died Friday, January 29, 2021 in New Paris. Born on August 11, 1925 in New Paris, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Walter Charles and Cecile Dean (Brown) Coblentz. Loretta grew up in New Paris and graduated in 1943 from Jefferson Township High School. She […] — (Posted January 31, 2021)

Mary Theresa Altenbach Mary Theresa Altenbach (née Portanova) passed peacefully on January 27, 2021. Mary was born in Richmond, Indiana, on January 1, 1926 to Antonio and Francesca Portanova. For seven years she was the only woman to play in the Kroger Senior Classic Pro-Am Golf Tournament and was thrilled when one year she was teamed with Neil […] — (Posted January 31, 2021)

H. Lester Wendell D.C. H. Lester Wendell D.C., 94, of New Castle passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, January 29, 2021 at Henry Community Health. He was born on September 18, 1926 in Flint, Michigan, a son of the late Harry and Adelaide (Crowter) Wendell. Les was an Army veteran of WWII and served in the South […] — (Posted January 31, 2021)

Ernest W. Hendricks, DDS Ernest W. Hendricks, DDS, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, easily transitioned Friday, January 29, 2021, at the family farm. Born October 26, 1941, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Roy and Amy Hensley Hendricks, Ernie graduated from Talawanda High School in Oxford, Ohio. He earned his license in Medical Technology from Carnegie College in Cleveland, Ohio. Ernie […] — (Posted January 31, 2021)

David A. Waterman David A. Waterman, age 50 of Glenwood, passed away after a courageous battle of cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 17th, 1970 in Richmond, Indiana. He is the son of Paul E. Waterman Sr. and Constance (Perry) Waterman. On April 2nd 1999 in Connersville, he married Jennifer Robinson. In his leisure time […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

Ruth Turner Rohde After a long and interesting life, Ruth Turner Rohde, 92, died in Venice, FL on January 28th, 2021. Ruth was born on February 20, 1928, the third of seven children, to Raymond and Glenna Collings Turner. She was born at home on a farm in Fountain City, where her father was a tenant farmer. Life […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

Henry Lewis Christmon Henry Lewis Christmon, beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle passed away January 19th 2021. Born January 6th, 1935 in Richmond, Indiana to parents John and Lucille Christmon. The middle child of six siblings. From an early age his parents instilled in him a great love for family, and an appreciation of hard work. As a […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

Julie Ann Delay Julie Ann Delay, age 73, of Centerville, Indiana, died Thursday, January 28, 2021. Born February 19, 1947, in New Castle, Indiana, to Merrill and Eunice Brookshire Ewing, Julie lived all of her life in Fayette, Wayne, and Henry County. She worked in banking for more than 40 years until retiring from MainSource Bank in 2011. […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

The Honorable Robert L. Reinke The Honorable Robert L. Reinke, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died January 26, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. Born February 28, 1933, in South Bend, Indiana, to William and Eva Hein Reinke, Bob graduated from South Bend Adams High School in 1951 and was a 1955 graduate of Wabash College and a […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

Michelle Suzette McKallip Michelle Suzette McKallip, 66, of New Castle passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at her residence. She was born November 12, 1954 in Lebanon, Indiana, a daughter of the late David LaBolle and Patricia (Reinke) Huffman. She was formerly employed as a dental assistant. Michelle loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends. She […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

Betty Jean Gaddis Betty Jean Gaddis, 74, of New Castle died Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial in Muncie. She was born May 16, 1946 in New Castle, Indiana to the late Keith and Cora (Todd) Pope. She was a 1964 graduate of Mt. Summit High School. Betty raised her children and worked a number […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

Deloris “Sissy” Baker Evans Deloris “Sissy” Baker Evans, age 84, passed away Sunday, January 24th, 2021 at Heritage House in New Castle. She was born in New Castle, Indiana in September 1936 to Bill and Margaret Baker. Sissy loved to crochet and cook, but her greatest passion was babysitting her grandkids, nieces and nephews. She is survived by a […] — (Posted January 29, 2021)

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)