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.
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)
Mary Ann McKillip Mary Ann McKillip, 91, formerly of Richmond, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021, at Spring Mill Meadows in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born on November 24, 1929, in Marshalltown, Iowa to James & Ruth Crosby. She graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa in 1951. On December 27, 1952, she […] — (Posted February 21, 2021)
Tom Jesse Barker On February 17th, 2021, Jesus welcomed home Tom Jesse Barker, where he was reunited with his son, Curt, and his brother and best friend, Dutch. Tom was born August 6th, 1937, to Garland and Dicie Barker and raised on a small farm in Bethel, Indiana. He was the youngest of the six ornery Barker boys. […] — (Posted February 21, 2021)
Joed Connaway Joed Connaway, 73, of Connersville passed away Thursday morning, February 18, 2021 at his residence. He was born August 11, 1947 in Connersville, the son of William Edgar and Pauline Lenore Landis Connaway and was a proud graduate of Alquina High School, Class of 1965. On January 17, Joed married Judith Yvonne Hannefy. Mrs. Connaway […] — (Posted February 21, 2021)
Ronald Charles Roosa Ronald Charles Roosa, 66, passed away suddenly at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis on February 18th after years of fighting the good fight. Ronnie was born February 26th, 1954 in Richmond, IN, and grew up on the city’s north side. He was lucky enough to marry the first and only love of his life, Vicky Hughes, and […] — (Posted February 20, 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 20, 2021)
Delbert Malicoat Delbert Malicoat, 82, of Richmond, passed away on February 16, 2021, at Reid Health. He was born July 8, 1938, in Jackson Co., Kentucky to Carlos and Dorothy Day Malicoat and lived in this area most of his life. He worked as a Lineman for RP&L and owned Malicoat Electric. He was a member of […] — (Posted February 20, 2021)
Paul L. Rigsby Paul L. Rigsby, age 95, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, February 18, 2021, at Majestic Care of Connersville. Born October 4, 1925, in Marion, Virginia, to Howard H. and Lula J. Kelly Rigsby, Paul moved to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1941. He proudly served as an electrician’s mate in the U.S. Navy Amphibious Forces in […] — (Posted February 20, 2021)
Charlie C. Neal, Jr. Charlie C. Neal, Jr., age 73, a New Castle resident, passed away Thursday, 2/18/2021 at Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born April 27, 1947 in New Castle, a son of Charlie Sr., and Zidia Neal He is survived by two sons, Stephen Neal and Greg Neal; two stepsons, Steven (Shannon) Upchurch […] — (Posted February 20, 2021)
Donald F. Klein Donald F. Klein, 97 of Liberty passed away on Monday, February 16, 2021. He was born on March 22, 1923 in Union County to Fred Klein and Ethel McMahan Klein. Donald married Kathleen N. Massood on April 18, 1969. They were able to spend 41 years together before she passed away on June 19, 2010. […] — (Posted February 19, 2021)
Steven Eugene Smith Steven Eugene Smith, 66, of Elwood, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021, in Anderson.  He was born August 24, 1954, the son of Horace N. and Vera C. (Dilling) Smith. Steve married Kathy K. Kimes on August 24, 1974.  They are the proud and loving parents of three children and nine grandchildren.  Steve cherished his family […] — (Posted February 19, 2021)