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.

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 20, 2021)

Jacqueline “Jackie” Marie Kinsinger Jacqueline “Jackie” Marie Kinsinger, 85, of New Castle passed away early Monday morning, January 18, 2021 at Stonebrooke in New Castle. She was born March 13, 1935 in New Castle, Indiana, a daughter of the late Kenneth and Gaynell (Thomas) Griffin. She was a member of New Castle Friends Church for several years. Jackie had […] — (Posted January 19, 2021)

Stephen (Steve) M. Shank Stephen (Steve) M. Shank died unexpectedly on January 16, 2021, at Reid Health He was born in Richmond on November 11, 1948, to Robert I. and Betty (Pace) Shank. He attended Hibberd Elementary and graduated from Richmond High School, Class of 1967 where he was president of the Electronics Club. Steve began working at WKBV […] — (Posted January 19, 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 19, 2021)

Martha T. Holtel Martha T. Holtel of Connersville, Indiana died peacefully at home January 16, at the age of 105, surrounded by her loving family. Martha was born on September 5, 1915 in Enochsburg, Indiana, to Ferdinand Volk and Theresa Huser Volk, and was the youngest of ten children. She spent her childhood on the family farm in […] — (Posted January 18, 2021)

Chelsea Cache Danielle Asse Chelsea Cache Danielle Asse, 30, formerly of Connersville passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2021, in Indianapolis. She suffered a massive brain injury due to falling at her home on Tuesday. One of two children of John and Sherry Osborne Harmon, Chelsea was born on December 13, 1990 in Richmond, Indiana. A 2009 graduate of Connersville […] — (Posted January 18, 2021)

Beverly Sue Kovacs Beverly Sue Kovacs, 81, a resident of New Castle passed away at 10:25 P.M. Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Grand Brook Memory Care of Greenwood. Arrangements are pending at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. — (Posted January 18, 2021)

John Kochersperger John Kochersperger, 81, of New Paris, Ohio, formerly of Randolph County, IN, passed away early Friday morning, January 15, 2021 at State of the Heart Hospice Center, Greenville, Ohio. He was born May 14, 1939 in Randolph County, Indiana the son of Gerald and Dorothy Kochersperger. He was a 1957 graduate of Spartanburg High School. […] — (Posted January 17, 2021)

David S. Carter David S. Carter, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, January 15, 2021, at Reid Health. Born March 24, 1938, in Dayton, Ohio, to George and Ruth Stott Carter, Dave lived in Richmond most of his life. He graduated from Richmond High School. Dave served in the Army National Guard. He was a member of […] — (Posted January 17, 2021)

Velana Kay Walker Velana Kay Walker (Vicki) age 69, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:46 a.m. at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born to George Walker and Katrinka Robinson on January 26, 1951 in Connersville, Indiana. She resided in Richmond, Indiana for 16 years and was fondly known for greeting customers and engaging […] — (Posted January 17, 2021)

Amber S. Harper Amber S. Harper, age 33, passed away January 7, 2021. She was born September 26, 1987, to Tim Harper and Katy Jones Tate, in Richmond, Indiana. Amber enjoyed watching sports and outdoor activities. She is survived by her father, her mother, one son, two daughters, one brother, one step-brother, two sisters, and many friends. She […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

William Edward Johnson William Edward Johnson, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Reid Health. Born September 15, 1949, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Clair Lavon and Doris Evelyn Batten Johnson, Bill had lived in Richmond for over 20 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University. Bill was known as […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

Audra Caroline Hansen Audra Caroline Hansen, 93, died on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, after a long decline due to Alzheimer’s Dementia. She had lived at Hagerstown since 2018. Audra was born in Oakland, Maryland, on March 5, 1927, the daughter of Ernest Ray and Tacy Maud (Bowman) Jones. She graduated from Oakland High School and Ohio Wesleyan University. […] — (Posted January 16, 2021)

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)