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.

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)

Ann Gibbs Ann Gibbs, 61, of Connersville passed away Friday, January 22, 2021 at her home. Arrangements are pending at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. — (Posted January 24, 2021)

Calvin “Buzz” Leonard Duff Born at home in Roane County, Tennessee on April 17, 1935, Calvin “Buzz” Leonard Duff, 85, of New Castle passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center in New Castle following an extended illness. He graduated from Lincoln High School, the Wampus Cats, in Cambridge City, IN in 1953, and attended New Mexico […] — (Posted January 24, 2021)

Timothy “Tim” Lee Burge Timothy “Tim” Lee Burge, age 64 of Woodlawn, passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2021 at Tennova Healthcare. He was born on August 1, 1956 in Wayne County, IN. He was a retired concrete contractor and enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. Tim is preceded in death by his mother, Jeannette Gerken Earlywine and her husband […] — (Posted January 23, 2021)

Rev. Eugene Calicott Rev. Eugene Calicott 91 of Richmond passed away January 21, 2021, at the Springs of Richmond. He was born September 7, 1929, in Cove, Arkansas, to Archie B. and Ida Ona Gladden Calicott and lived in Richmond for the last 41 years. He was an Army Veteran. He was an electrician prior to accepting the […] — (Posted January 23, 2021)

David R. Wicker David R. Wicker, 79, of Liberty, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at Reid Health in Richmond. He was born on September 22, 1941, in Randolph County, Indiana, and is the son of William Wicker and Edna Cash Wicker. David had worked at Sperry Rubber & Plastic and retired from J&J Packaging. He had […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

James W. Bolyard James W. Bolyard passed away on January 14, 2021 in Sarasota, Florida. He was born on March 29, 1943 to the late Lester (Ted) Bolyard and Grace Metheny Bolyard Taylor in Tunnelton, WV. He is survived by his wife Sharon Bolyard of Liberty, IN, two siblings, Ray (Judy) Bolyard of Charles Town, WV and Susan […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

Emily A. Lane McKinney Emily A. Lane McKinney, 70, of Connersville, passed away on January 20, 2021 at her home surrounded by her children. Emily was born on August 12, 1950 and is the daughter David Lane Jr. and Clara A. Levi Lane. Emily was a graduate of Connersville High School Class of 1968. On April 17, 1971, she […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

Kenneth Allan “Ken” Bailey Kenneth Allan “Ken” Bailey , 66, of Richmond, passed away unexpectedly on January 19, 2021, at Reid Health. He was born January 25, 1954, in Hamilton, Ohio; he grew up in Campbellstown, Ohio, and graduated from National Trail High School. Ken worked for Mechanics Laundry and as a teller at several local banks including NATCO […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

Ernest L. Frady Ernest L. Frady, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana died Wednesday January 20, 2021. He was born on September 6, 1949 to Charles and Mary Marie Frady. Ernest lived in Richmond his entire life, going to school at Nicholson, Test and Richmond High School, class of 1967. He retired in 1998 from Dana Corp. with 30 […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

Sheila L. Lowe Sheila L. Lowe, age 74, a New Castle resident, passed away Friday, January 15, 2021 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness. She was born November 5, 1946 in Connersville, Indiana, a daughter of the late Perr S. and Evelyn Hess Elwell. She was a homemaker and loved sharing time with her family and […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

Paula Jeanne Pollard Paula Jeanne Pollard, 74, of Connersville, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Paula was born December 29, 1946 to Mary and Bud Harter. When her mother passed away, Paula was adopted by her mother’s brother Edwin Boyer and his wife Eileen. The Boyers raised […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

Helen Rose Rister Helen Rose Rister, 97, of Connersville passed away Wednesday afternoon, January 20, 2021 at Heritage House of Connersville where she had been a resident since November 6, 2020. The older of two children, Helen was born August 13, 1923 in Batesville, the daughter of Lowell and Ann Sembach Larabee, and she moved with her family […] — (Posted January 22, 2021)

Doris J. Beck Doris J. Beck, 88, of Greenfield and formerly New Castle, died January 19, 2021 from Covid-19. She was born on November 7, 1932 in Henry County, a daughter of the late George and Luva (Whiteley) Irvin. Doris was married to Donald Beck for 53 years, before he died in 2014. Doris was a 1950 graduate […] — (Posted January 21, 2021)

Phyllis Jean Bell Phyllis Jean Bell was called to her eternal heavenly home on January 19th, 2021, while surrounded by loving family. Phyllis was born August 28th, 1929, in Anderson, Indiana, to Will and Mayme Bowman, the 4th of 5 children. She was 1947 graduate of Hagerstown High School, and attended Manchester College. On September 3rd, 1948, she married […] — (Posted January 21, 2021)

Avery E. Wilson Avery E. Wilson, 85, of Richmond died Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at Reid Health. He was born April 29, 1935, in Brodhead, Kentucky to Felix and Rosa Lee Johnston Wilson Sr. and lived here since 1954. He retired from the laborers and Hod-Carriers Union Local 1047 and followed the Pentecost Faith. Avery is survived by […] — (Posted January 20, 2021)

Averil V. Nielson Averil V. Nielson, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, went to her eternal reward on January 16, 2021. She was born December 12, 1926, in Fennville, Michigan, to Fred and Edith (Sias) Crowner. She was a faithful follower of Christ and a mother beloved. She willingly worked hard all her life, making a significant difference in […] — (Posted January 20, 2021)

David D. Crowe David D. Crowe, 66, Greens Fork, passed away on Thursday January 14 at Reid Health with his daughters by his side. He was born in Randolph County, Indiana on February 2, 1954, the son of Daniel A & Betty J. Maiden Crowe, both of whom preceded him in death. David was a 1972 graduate of […] — (Posted January 20, 2021)