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.

Wilma J. Waltz Wilma J. Waltz, 92, of Cambridge City, passed away on January 1, 2021 at Ball Memorial Hospital. She was born on March 2, 1928 in Knox County, Kentucky to Lester and Rachel (Elam) Cheek and lived most of her life in this area. Wilma retired after working over 30 years at Dana as a machinist. […] — (Posted January 3, 2021)

Beatrice “Bea” Marie Beck Morgan Beatrice “Bea” Marie Beck Morgan went home to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, December 26, 2020, after suffering a debilitating stroke. She was surrounded by family and friends who love her and who will miss her. Bea was born to Charles R. Beck and Rena Lyons Beck at the Beck home on South […] — (Posted January 1, 2021)

Lena “Gay” Matthews Lena “Gay” Matthews, 85, of New Castle passed away on December 30, 2020, after complications from COVID-19. She was born in Byrdstown, Tennessee on December 15, 1935 to the late W. O. Neal and Mattie Massengale Neal. She lived most of her life in New Castle and attended New Castle Schools. Gay retired from Chrysler […] — (Posted January 1, 2021)

Michelle C Dale Michelle C Dale, 55, of Hagerstown, IN, passed away on Tuesday, December 29th, at her home. Michelle was born September 16, 1965 in Ukiah, California to Garland and Shirley Holder. In 1985 Michelle met and married her husband of 35 years, James A. Dale, while he was serving in the Marine Corps in California. They […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

Martha Louise Werking Martha Louise Werking, 87, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Arbor Trace, surrounded by her kind and dedicated caregivers. Born March 18, 1933, near Bentonville, Indiana, to William Ellis and Flora Alice Shigley Clark, Martha lived in the Wayne County area most of her life. She began her education at the […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

James Floyd Sutherland, Jr. James Floyd Sutherland, Jr., 80, of Hagerstown, died Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Ambassador Health Care, Centerville. He was born in Richmond on February 9, 1940 to James Floyd and Mattie (Rich) Sutherland. He was a graduate of Greens Fork High School and a retired employee of Perfect Circle / Dana Corp. Jim was a […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

Marjorie Ellen Cramer Faught Marjorie Ellen Cramer Faught, 89, of Connersville, died Sunday, December 27, 2020. Marjorie was born to Lucius C. and Susan M. Messmer Cramer on May 25, 1931 in Martinsville, Indiana. She graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1949 and the following year she married James Robert Faught on July 6, 1950. She […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

Shafter Grubb Connersville resident, Shafter Grubb, 91, died Sunday, December 27, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Shafter was born to Harvey and Fannie Jackson Grubb on March 14. 1929 in Clay County, Kentucky. He married the former Janet Harris in 1972. Shafter was a proud member of his local UAW, and was faithfully […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

Marylee Pope Marylee Pope died peacefully at the home of her daughter, Wednesday, December 30, 2020. She was born at home on November 27, 1930 in Randolph County to Perry Scott and Edith Holt Hitchcock. She was the youngest of 7 children and worked at the Henry County Courthouse serving as Recorder for 9 ½ years and […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

David Gratner Sr. On August 27, 1925 Floyd and Etta Gratner welcomed the birth of their son David. On December 28, 2020 with his wife Carolyn at his side, David began his ride into the sunset. He was born and raised on the family farm in Rensselaer, Indiana. His father’s repair shop is where David began his love […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

Joan M. (McShirley) Davis Joan M. (McShirley) Davis, New Castle, passed away on December 29, 2020 at Clear Vista Health Campus. She was born the fourth child of Silvia and Herbert McShirley on March 12, 1925. She was raised in Sulphur Springs, Indiana and would often remark that there was something special about growing up in a small town. […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

Francis James Shaw Francis James Shaw, 82, of Winchester, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020. He was born on September 23, 1938, in Carthage, IN, to Otis and Dorothy (Duncan) Shaw. Francis was a 1956 graduate of Greensfork High School. On September 1, 1962, he married Shirley Kay Stuckey. From 1962-1964, he served in the United States […] — (Posted December 31, 2020)

Gene Sparks Gene Sparks, 63, of Richmond, passed away December 27, 2020, at Reid Health after a short illness. He was born February 17, 1957, in Lee County, Kentucky to Charles E. and Elsie Reece Sparks and lived in this area most of his life. Gene retired from Milestone where he worked as a Skreed Operator for […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Harold E “Ed” Sharp Harold E “Ed” Sharp, 82, Modoc, Indiana passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Reid Health and Hospital of Richmond, IN. He was born August, 4, 1938 in Richmond, IN the son of Earl and Lulu (Hiatt) Sharp. He honorably served in the US Army. Harold retired in 2003 after 34 years as a Supervisor […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

William “Bill” Hamilton William “Bill” Hamilton, 80, of Centerville, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020 in Connersville. Bill was born on March 15, 1940 and is the son of John Hamilton and Rhoda (Allen) Hamilton. Bill married Donna Sheard in Telico Plains, Tennessee on March 15, 1992. They were blessed with more than 28 years of marriage […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Marjorie Lois (McCoy) Corl Conder Marjorie Lois (McCoy) Corl Conder, formerly of Hoyleton, Illinois, died December 26, 2020 at Lavender Ridge Memory Care Center in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Marjorie was born October 19, 1930 in Richmond, Indiana, the daughter of Wesley and Lena (nee Harper) McCoy. Marjorie served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during the late 1940s and early […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Elmer J. Davis Elmer J. Davis, age 92, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, December 27, 2020, at Stafford Hospital. Born April 17, 1928, in Ohio, to Elmer and Jenny Hieger Davis, Elmer lived in Richmond most of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy. Elmer retired from Johns Manville, where he worked as an electrician. Survivors […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Margie Louise Harper Margie Louise Harper, 79, Richmond, was born on August 22, 1941, in Morgan County, Kentucky, to Elbert Taulbee and Ruth Havens Taulbee. She was a life-long resident of Centerville/Richmond, Indiana, areas and went to be with the Lord on December 26, 2020, due to secondary infection caused by COVID. She passed at Reid Hospital surrounded […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Vivian E. Kaser Vivian E. Kaser, age 96, of Batesville, Indiana and formerly of Liberty, Indiana died early Sunday morning December 27, 2020, at St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville, Indiana. Born March 16, 1924 in Falmouth, Kentucky she was the daughter of the late Albert & Nellie (Fields) Barnard. On August 8, 1942 she was united in […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Olivia Jane Christine Lewis On Saturday, December 26, 2020 Olivia Jane Christine Lewis, our most beautiful daughter and sister, passed away at the age of 22. Olivia was born April 6, 1988 in Richmond, Indiana to Chris and Cyndi Lewis. She attended Richmond High School, where she enjoyed her roles as football and basketball manager before graduating in 2017. […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Mable Gross Bailey Mable Gross Bailey, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Monday, December 28, 2020, at home, surrounded by family. Mable was born February 9, 1934, in College Corner, Indiana, to Charles and Effie Bell Gross. She attended Liberty High School. Mable retired from Richmond Community Schools, where she worked 21 years as a cashier. Mable […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Betty Jean Stonerock Betty Jean Stonerock, age 91, was born June 1, 1929 near Static, in Pickett County, Tennessee and departed this life on December 29, 2020 at New Castle, Indiana. Betty was the daughter of George H. and Lydia M. (Pemberton) Lee and was the former Postmaster of the Greensboro, Indiana Post Office for 31 years, from […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Mary Louise Hunt Mary Louise Hunt 67 of Richmond passed away peacefully at home on December 24, 2020. She was born April 24, 1953, in Richmond to Herschel William Sr. and Minnie May Shaffer and lived here all of her life. She retired from CINRAM. Mary is survived by her husband of 47 years Robert Eugene Hunt, two […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Jaime Jo Mathews-Frye Jaime Jo Mathews-Frye, age 43, died unexpectedly December 27, 2020, at her home. She was born February 14, 1977, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to John and Robyn I. Shaffer Mathews. Jaime lived in Richmond most of her life and she graduated from Richmond High School. Jaime previously served as a receptionist at Reid Health and worked […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Robert A. “Bob” Hinshaw Robert A. “Bob” Hinshaw, 81, of Richmond, passed away on Monday, December 28. He was born in Winchester, Indiana on September 16, 1939, to Ralph Carl and Esther Dudley Hinshaw, both of whom preceded him in death. He was a 1957 graduate of Lynn High School. He sang and danced in high school. He also […] — (Posted December 30, 2020)

Mary Ann Klimesh Mary Ann Klimesh of Sylvania, Ohio, formerly of Cambridge City, died peacefully at home from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) on December 16, 2020. She was 77. Born in New Castle, Indiana, on January 28, 1943, Mary Ann was the daughter of Reverend William and Kathryn (Hessong) Butt. Upon graduating […] — (Posted December 29, 2020)

Winona Hale (Barnum) Charron Winona Hale (Barnum) Charron, age 90, passed away Dec 21, 2020 at Rosebud Village in Richmond, IN. She was born in Rhode Island, Jan 6 1930 to parents Edith and Phineas Barnum, where she raised her family, later moving to California where she lived in the Bay Area for approximately 35 years, working as a […] — (Posted December 29, 2020)

Henrietta Hankosky Henrietta Hankosky passed away on Christmas evening at the Richland Bean Blossom Nursing home in Ellettsville Indiana. She was born on October 1, 1929, in New Kensington Pennsylvania to Henry and Nancy Ann Tilmans, both preceded her in death. She was married to Alder Hankosky of Richmond Indiana on June 12, 1954, and they lived […] — (Posted December 29, 2020)

Walter Thomas “W.T.” Sproles Walter Thomas “W.T.” Sproles, 95, of New Castle, formerly of Bristol, Virginia, departed this life on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at Henry Community Health in order to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He was born on July 14, 1925 in Hiltons, Virginia, a son of the late Nelson James and Mamie S. […] — (Posted December 29, 2020)

Walter Myron Bell “Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love”…I Corinthians 13:13 Walter Myron Bell was called to his eternal heavenly home on December 26, 2020. Myron was born May 31, 1928 in Johnstown Indiana, the 5th of 7 children, to Walter Levi and Willie (Neathery) Bell. He attended school at Dalton and Mooreland. […] — (Posted December 29, 2020)