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.

Tracy Short Brutus Tracy Short Brutus, age 58, of Indianapolis, departed this life on December 14, 2020, finding peace in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born September 16, 1962 on the Misawa U.S. Airforce Based in the city of Misawa, Japan. She grew up in a Christian home and attended Bethel African […] — (Posted December 23, 2020)

Will Kent DeBruler Will Kent DeBruler, 57, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Reid Health of Richmond, where he had been a patient for two weeks. He was born in New Castle, Indiana on January 28, 1963, one of three sons of Willard and Velma Knorpp DeBruler. He attended […] — (Posted December 23, 2020)

Donald E. Walker, Jr. Donald E. Walker, Jr., 59, of Indianapolis, IN passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2020. He was born on October 17, 1961 in Columbus, Ohio. Donald was the son of Donald E. Walker Sr. and Joenita R. Rinehart Walker. Donald enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, where he was always making a joke […] — (Posted December 21, 2020)

Hilda D Luerman Dickman Herold Hilda D Luerman Dickman Herold, 92, passed away peacefully at Reid Memorial Hospital on December 19, 2020. Hilda was born August 1, 1928 to Henry J. and Hedwig Seegers Luerman in Richmond, IN. Her parents moved here from Germany in 1925. Hilda went through St. Andrews Catholic School for 8 years, then went to Richmond […] — (Posted December 21, 2020)

Roger Dwight Swejkar Roger Dwight Swejkar, 63, passed away Sunday morning December 20, 2020 at I.U. Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. He had been in failing health. A son of the late Richard Dwight and Vena (Gregory) Swejkar, Roger was born in New Castle, Indiana on April 28, 1957. He was a 1976 graduate of Tri High […] — (Posted December 21, 2020)

Charles William South, Sr. Charles William South, Sr., age 75, a New Castle resident, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at his residence following a brief illness. He was born September 17, 1945 in Columbus, Indiana, a son of the late Everett and Anna Hill South. He was retired from the automotive industry and was an automobile body repairman […] — (Posted December 21, 2020)

Hazel Blanche Swoveland Hazel Blanche Swoveland, 92, of Huntsville, died at her home on Saturday, December 19, 2020. She was born in New Castle on September 14, 1928 to Floyd and Olive (Freer) Wilkinson and lived most of her life in Randolph County. Hazel was a 1946 graduate of Losantville High School. She was a former employee of […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Jay Gordon Klehfoth Jay Gordon Klehfoth, age 75, of Centerville, Indiana, died unexpectedly Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at his home. Born and raised in Richmond, Indiana, Jay graduated from Richmond High School in 1963. He attended Purdue University and graduated from Indiana University in 1967 with a B.S. in Business Administration, majoring in marketing and finance. Jay completed […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Mary Lou Hartman Mary Lou Hartman, age 101, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, December 18, 2020, at Grace Village Health Care Facility in Winona Lake. Born May 2, 1919, in San Pierre, Indiana, to Ert N. and Anna L. Otte Turman, Mary Lou moved from Kouts, Indiana, to Wayne County in 1934. She was a 1937 graduate […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Janet L. Carey Janet L. Carey, 74, of Richmond died Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at Reid Health. She was born February 5, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to Jess M. and Georgia M. Trisler Stevenson. She retired as the Office Manager for Tom Raper Homes. Janet was a member of Alliance Bible Church. Janet is survived by two daughters, […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Roy H. Blomeyer Roy H. Blomeyer, age 93, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at The Springs of Richmond. Born June 7, 1927, in Richmond, Indiana, to Henry and Martha Tiemann Blomeyer, Roy was a life-long resident of this community. He served in the U.S. Army. Roy worked at Richmond Brothers and the Hoosier Store. After […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Janet S. Vosmeier Janet S. Vosmeier 77 of Richmond died Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Reid Health. She was born February 13, 1943, in Richmond to Lawrence J. and Ruth E. Boyd Vosmeier and lived here all her life. Janet graduated from the Nursing Program at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and retired as a registered nurse. […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Jimmie C. “JC” Smith Jimmie C. “JC” Smith, age 83, of New Paris, Ohio, died Friday, December 18, 2020, at Reid Health. Born September 17, 1937, in Harriman, Tennessee, to Edgar and Louie Franklin Smith, JC served in the U.S. Air Force. He had lived in this area since 1959. JC was a brakeman and conductor for the railroad […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Jerry R. Howard Jerry R. Howard, 73, of New Castle, passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, December 17, 2020 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie following a brief illness. He was born December 3, 1947 in Tipton, Indiana, a son of the late Russell and Francis Howard. Jerry was a 1966 graduate of New Castle […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Dorothy I. Darnell Dorothy I. Darnell 95 of Richmond died December 18, 2020, at her home. She was born April 12, 1925, in Maysville, Kentucky. She retired from Golden Living Center Golden Rule. Dorothy enjoyed gardening and sewing. Dorothy is survived by her two sons Roy and Ted Hampton, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Under Covid19 […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Katherine A. Seaney Katherine A. Seaney, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, December 17, 2020, at Reid Health. Born February 10, 1932, in Richmond, Indiana, to George and Mary Bell Pope, Katherine was a life-long resident of this community. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1950. Katherine worked at Knollenberg’s Department Store before starting her family. […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Stanley J. Bryant Stanley J. Bryant 71 of Richmond died peacefully December 17, 2020, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis after a short illness. He was born November 19, 1949, in Richmond to James and Margaret Harshman Bryant and lived here all his life. Stan was a graduate of Richmond Senior High School and retired from working in […] — (Posted December 20, 2020)

Jerry L. Rinehart Jerry L. Rinehart, 79, of Hagerstown, died Sunday, December 13, 2020, in Greenville, South Carolina, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Hagerstown, Indiana on December 24, 1940 to his parents N. Donald Rinehart and Theda Monroe Rinehart, living most of his life in Hagerstown. Jerry retired after 30 years from […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

Janet L. Carey Janet L. Carey 74 of Richmond died Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at Reid Health. She was born February 5, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to J. Melburn and Georgia M. Trissler Stevenson. She retired as the Office Manager for Tom Raper R.V.s. Janet was a member of the Bible Alliance Church. Janet is survived by two […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

Mary E. Asche Mary E. Asche, 96, a long time Hagerstown resident, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Randolph Nursing Home, Winchester. She was born on December 7, 1924 in Butlerville, Indiana, to Fred and Ethel (Roane) Huelson, Mary, at age 19, moved to Hagerstown to get a job at Perfect Circle Corporation, where she retired […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

Karen L. Jones Karen L. Jones, 78, of Centerville, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 15, following a brief battle with COVID-19. She was born Karen Louise Dunlap in Columbus, Ohio, on June 9, 1942. She married C. Dennis Jones on June 13, 1958. They were blessed with 5 children. Karen attended Gateway […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

James Jason Burkhart James Jason Burkhart, age 51, of Centerville, departed this life on December 15, 2020, finding peace in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born December 3, 1969 in Richmond, Indiana. He lived in this community most of his life. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Ball State […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

Allen Lee Smith Allen Lee Smith, 74, of Middletown, Indiana transitioned out of his earthly body on Dec. 16, 2020 at 5:21pm surrounded by love and family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Martha Smith, and oldest son, Roland J. Smith, all of Middletown, Indiana. He is survived by beloved wife, Serlina J. Smith; […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

Lawrence Joseph Bischoff Lawrence Joseph Bischoff, 86, of Connersville passed away late Tuesday evening, December 15, 2020 at Aspen Place Health Campus, Greensburg where he had been a patient for the last six months. The oldest of two children of Joseph G. and Anna Magdalena Snyder Bischoff, Lawrence was born in Connersville on January 13, 1934. He graduated […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

Robert F. Raver Robert F. Raver, 82, formerly of Liberty, passed away Tuesday afternoon, December 15, 2020 at I.U. Hospice House in Bloomington. One of four children of Raymond and Loretta Harmeyer Raver, Robert was born in Batesville on September 3, 1938 and graduated from Connersville High School. Robert retired from Roots Blower in Connersville after many years […] — (Posted December 18, 2020)

Marjorie Lee Genevieve Huffman Marjorie Lee Genevieve Huffman (née Johnson), age 92, of Centerville, Indiana, died Sunday, December 6, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare. Marjorie was born to Elmer Johnson and Lilly Fay Lephart on August 26, 1928, and was raised by her mother and stepfather, Robert Young Sr. She was known affectionately as “Margie” by her sisters, Alma, Gloria, […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Joan “JoJo” Rowe Joan “JoJo” Rowe, age 98, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born January 29, 1922, in Richmond, Indiana, to Samuel and Ruby Rich Culbertson, Joan was a life-long resident of Centerville. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in New Castle, Indiana. Joan was a wife and mother foremost. […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Carolyn M. Jackson Richmond, IN – Carolyn M. Jackson was born October, 7th, 1950 in Hazard, Ky. The daughter of Curtis Jackson Jr. and Charlene Gilbert. She loved angels and was our Angel on Earth. She loved children and her chosen career at the State Hospital. She had an insatiable love for reading (especially Danielle Steel). She was […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Mary Jacqueline Cox Mary Jacqueline Cox, fondly known as Jackie, age 88, passed away peacefully at Friends Fellowship Community Monday, December 14, 2020. Born August 11, 1932, in Richmond, Indiana, to Paul William and Alice Mae Steins Runnels, Jackie was a life-long resident of Richmond and a resident of Florida for many years. After graduating from Richmond High […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Sonia Bacalla (Hoover) Sonia Bacalla (Hoover) Died December 15, 2020, Riverside County, California She was born in Richmond, IN, the second of four daughters to Russell and Mary Ann Hoover on Feb 13, 1937. Sonia graduated Richmond High School in 1955. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Earlham College in 1977. Sonia relocated to Southern California in […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)