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.

Rhonda Sue Conn Rhonda Sue Conn, 48, passed away Tuesday January 12, 2021 at her home while surrounded by her family after a battle with cancer. She was born in Connersville Indiana on August 11, 1972. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Cambridge City and married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Mark Moffitt on September 25, 1990. […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

William Francis Bekkering Jr. William Francis Bekkering Jr., 47, Dublin, passed away peacefully January 15, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana with his family at his side. A son of the late William F. and Barbara Sue (Bober) Bekkering Sr., William was born in Orland Park, Illinois on June 9, 1973. Formerly of Danville, Illinois, William has made […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

Janice Elaine Spurgin Janice Elaine Spurgin, age 81, passed peacefully on Thursday, January 14, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving husband of 62 years and her four children. A lifelong resident of southern Henry county, Janice was born on November 27, 1939 to her dear parents, David and Faustine (Bates) Lilly. Janice attended Straughn High School and […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

Donna Jean Cumbee Donna Jean Cumbee, 72, of Connersville went home to be with the Lord Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Reid Health of Richmond. She was born September 22, 1948 in Connersville, one of seven children of Nathan Otho and Ruby Virginia Brown Duncan. As a young child, she moved to Tampa Florida with her family. On […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

Billy Randolph Meadows Billy Randolph Meadows born May 21, 1952 to Letha (Miller) Meadows and Carl (Ted) Meadows in Monticello, Kentucky, went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2021. Bill passed away at Heritage House of New Castle from complications of Covid-19 Billy was a true and firm believer in God. Several years he attended the […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

James Edward Burkhart, MD James Edward Burkhart, MD, escaped this mortal realm, January 12, 2021, after navigating 76 trips around the sun. Dr. B., as he was affectionately known to his patients and colleagues, passed, surrounded by his immediate family. Jim was the progeny of Elder M. and Deloris F. Burkhart; he made his grand entry into this world […] — (Posted January 15, 2021)

Clayton E. “Clay” Haisley Clayton E. “Clay” Haisley, age 60, of Anderson, Indiana, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 13, 2021, after a long illness. Clay was born January 26, 1960, in Winchester, Indiana, and lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life. He was a 1978 graduate of Northeastern Wayne High School, where he lettered […] — (Posted January 15, 2021)

Marie Porter Smelser Marie Porter Smelser died in Savannah, Georgia, on January 11th. A former resident of Liberty and Richmond, Indiana and Atlanta, Georgia, she was a graduate of Short High School and Earlham College. Marie taught English for thirty-one years in Liberty and was a former member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She is survived by her […] — (Posted January 15, 2021)

Elmira Frances Vardaman Pentecost Elmira Frances Vardaman Pentecost, Connersville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at the age of 86, having lived a full and beautiful life. Born in New Castle, Indiana, on October 7, 1934, she was the daughter of Ronald Vardaman and Marie Moore Retherford. Elmira was the youngest of four children and grew up […] — (Posted January 15, 2021)

Mark Russell Handley Mark Russell Handley, 63, of Richmond passed away January 13, 2021, at I.U. Health after a long illness. He was born on January 2, 1958. He worked as a mortgage lender and was a member of Central United Methodist Church. Mark is survived by his wife of 43 years Marilyn, two children Jeremy (Amy) Handley […] — (Posted January 15, 2021)

Jon Randall Luethje Jon Randall Luethje, 74, of Connersville, passed away Saturday evening, January 9, 2021 at Reid Health, Richmond. He was born June 17, 1946, to Marjorie Norton of Des Moines, IA, and Patrick Henry Lane of Newport News, Virginia, and was later adopted by Elmer Luethje. Jon grew up being called Randy in Perry, Iowa, where […] — (Posted January 14, 2021)

Thomas Farrell Stegall Thomas Farrell Stegall 80 of Wayne Lakes, Ohio died January 11, 2021, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born October 14, 1940, in New Paris, Ohio to Clarence and Olive Lakey Stegall and lived in this area all his life. He retired from Trump and Stegall Building Contractors, working in Wayne Lakes, […] — (Posted January 14, 2021)

Betty Joan Leach Betty Joan Leach, age 77, passed away peacefully January 9, 2021 due to a degenerative disease. She was born December 11, 1943 in Rockville, Indiana to Russell and Donvia Measel. She married her lifetime love, James Norman Leach, in February of 1968 who preceded her in death in 2017. Betty was born & raised in […] — (Posted January 13, 2021)

Bonnie Lea Callahan Bonnie Lea Callahan, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, January 11, 2021, at Reid Health. Born January 9, 1942, in Milan, Indiana, to Eugene A. and Helen M. Marsh Klein, Bonnie grew up in Aurora, Indiana. She was a 1960 graduate of Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg, Indiana. In 1966, Bonnie […] — (Posted January 13, 2021)

Richard Paul “Dickie” Roberts Richard Paul “Dickie” Roberts, 66, Greens Fork, passed away Sunday evening January 10, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana after a brave battle with cancer. A son of the late Curtis and Marilyn June (Force) Roberts, Richard was born in Richmond, Indian on December 13, 1954. Richard has lived most of his life in […] — (Posted January 13, 2021)

Jimmie Floyd Kemplen Jimmie Floyd Kemplen, 80, of Lynn, died Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Reid Health. He was born in Albany, KY on January 30, 1940 to Ernest and Lena (Purdue) Kemplen. He resided in Albany, KY and Indiana for many years. He was a retired employee of Chevrolet in Muncie. Survivors include 2 children, Lena Katherine […] — (Posted January 13, 2021)

Don Solomon Don Solomon passed away in the early morning hours of December 30, 2020. Don was the lifeline of the Solomon family. He was a calm natured, kind-hearted, loving and very talented man. Don suffered from Rheumatoid arthritis for many years, yet, continued to use his talent making beautiful works of arts. Don was an Army […] — (Posted January 13, 2021)

Donald D. Shaffer Donald D. Shaffer, age 87, of New Paris, OH passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021 at his residence. He was born January 9, 1934 in Preble County to the late John Denver and Mary Garnett (Petry) Shaffer. Don was a U.S. Army Veteran. He was a semi-truck operator hauling steel for many years. He also […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Katherine (Katie) Starr Serradell Katherine (Katie) Starr Serradell, 61, Connersville, died peacefully in Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton Ohio after a month stay in the ICU due to a serious auto crash. A Memorial service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church at 701 W 3rd St, Connersville, IN 47331 on Saturday January 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM with […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Jack L. Hill Jack L. Hill, age 75, Richmond, passed away on January 7, 2021 at Reid Hospital. Jack was born to David and Martha (Schlegel) Hill on January 16, 1945 in Anderson, Indiana. He graduated from Fountain City High School in 1963 and married his love, Mabel Keffer on January 21, 1966 at First Baptist Church in […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Mick (Marvin) Keith Gordon Mick (Marvin) Keith Gordon, 85, a lifelong truck driver of Lynn, Indiana completed his final trip on January 8, 2021. He was surrounded by loved ones in his family home as he peacefully left this world for the next. Born October 4, 1935 in Winchester, IN, he was the son of David William and Edith […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Ruth (Penn) Barton Ruth (Penn) Barton, 92, went to her eternal home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 8, 2021. She was born in Neptune, New Jersey, to Ross and Beatrice Penn on April 26, 1928. She lived the first 50 years of her life near the Jersey Shore, raising her family, breeding basset and […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Merle Lawrence West Merle Lawrence West, 74, of Connersville passed away Sunday evening, January 10, 2021 at Reid Health, Richmond. The oldest of seven children of Russel and Mary Burch West, Merle was born in Batesville and grew up in the Metamora area. Following his graduation from Brookville High School, Merle enlisted in the United States Navy where […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Robert E. Walker Robert E. Walker, age 81, passed away from cancer in his home on January 8, 2021, after a valiant fight against cancer. He was born May 19, 1939 in New Castle, a son of Roger and Mary Walker. He was a quiet, proud, strong, gentle man. He loved God, his family, and the family farm […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Robert H. Woodhurst Robert H. Woodhurst, age 95, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, January 9, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. Born November 2, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, to Morris E. and Alfreda Harlan Woodhurst, Robert moved to Richmond in 1934. He was a graduate of Richmond High School. Robert proudly served in the U.S. Navy […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Patricia A. “Pat” Foreman Patricia A. “Pat” Foreman, age 73, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, January 8, 2021, at Reid Health. Born August 27, 1947, in Henry County, Indiana, to Ralph and Hilda Lauridsen Lorton, Pat lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a 1965 graduate of Jefferson High School in New Paris, Ohio, and earned a […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Delorise (Lois) Davis Delorise (Lois) Davis, 81, of Richmond, Indiana, peacefully passed away on January 9, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on August 11, 1939, to Brad and Pearl Collins in the city of Piney Branch, Kentucky. Lois met James (Jim) Davis in her teens and they married on December 24th, 1956. Lois and Jim […] — (Posted January 12, 2021)

Austin O. Fisher Austin O. Fisher, 18, of Modoc, died at his home on Thursday, January 7, 2021. He was born in New Castle on June 25, 2002 to Kyle D. Fisher and Chandra Kwasny and lived most of his life in Randolph County. Survivors include his father; 6 siblings, David Flint, Jerica Corn, Jerrod Corn, Nash Fisher, […] — (Posted January 11, 2021)

Jeffrey Scott Jarrett Jeffrey Scott Jarrett, 57, of Hagerstown, died at his home on Saturday, January 9, 2021. He was born in New Castle on September 11, 1963 to Roderic and Joann (Foust) Jarrett and was a life long resident of the Hagerstown area. Jeff served in the US Air Force for 9 years and retired from the […] — (Posted January 11, 2021)

Carolyn June Gifford Carolyn June Gifford was born in Shoals, IN on July 5, 1931 to Cecil Dillman and Alma Harrington. Her younger brother John was born 4 years later. Her parents were hardworking, devout, and honest farmers. After moving to the farming community around New Castle during the depression, June graduated valedictorian from Mt. Summit High School […] — (Posted January 11, 2021)