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.

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)

Gary R. Williams Gary R. Williams, age 60, a resident of rural New Castle, passed away Monday, December 14, 2020 at Henry Community Health. He was born April 15, 1960 in New Castle, a son of the late Robert Lee and Lucile Lawson Williams. He attended New Castle Schools and was a carpenter and tree trimmer most of […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Nancy Jane Logan Nancy Jane Logan, 87, Hagerstown, passed away at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana on Tuesday evening December 15, 2020. A daughter of the late Russell L. and Rosa Belle (Thompson) Fultz, Nancy was born in Upper Tygart, Carter County, Kentucky on July 10, 1933. Nancy grew up in Kentucky and moved to the Hagerstown area […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

James R. Arvin James R. Arvin, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at Reid Health. Born October 28, 1933, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Thomas and Evelyn Isaacs Arvin, James lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life. He was a 1952 graduate of Fairfield High School in Ohio. James proudly served with the […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Charles R. Hignite Charles R. Hignite 86, of Richmond, passed away December 11, 2020, at Reid Health after a long illness. He was born January 4, 1934, in Berea, Kentucky to James and Mae Hignite and lived in this area most of his life. Charles served in the United States Army Air Force. He was a salesman in […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Kathryn Marie Brewer Herrin Kathryn Marie Brewer Herrin, age 42, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at her home. Kathryn was born on November 12, 1978, in Texas. Survivors include her three children, Tyler Reid Brewer, Jordan Alexander Ward, and Isabella Grace Herrin and numerous other family members and friends. She will be greatly missed by […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

James F. Dreaden James F. Dreaden, age 74, Centerville, died peacefully, Monday, December 14, 2020. Born October 11, 1946, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Daniel and Victoria Porter Cannon, Jim lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life. He was a 1965 graduate of Jefferson High School in New Paris, Ohio. Jim retired from Belden in 2010, after […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Robert McCullough Vetter Robert McCullough Vetter, age 93, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, December 12, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare. Robert was born August 31, 1927, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Herbert F. and Kathleen W. Wilson Vetter. He graduated from Forest Park High School in Baltimore. Robert came to Richmond around 1960 and attended Earlham College. He taught at […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Dr. Richard Warren Houston, MD Dr. Richard Warren Houston, MD went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 76 on Friday, December 11, 2020. Dick was born in Richmond, IN on November 27, 1944, and was the youngest of two sons born to the late Herschel and Mildred Houston (Allison/Williams) and her late husband […] — (Posted December 17, 2020)

Robert J. Stone Robert J. Stone, age 72, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, December 13, 2020, at Reid Health. Born September 23, 1948, in Pana, Illinois, to Hensley and Gladys Morey Stone, Robert graduated from high school in Chesterton, Indiana. He lived in Richmond since 1990. Robert worked in manufacturing with several companies over the many years. He […] — (Posted December 16, 2020)

Sarah Louise Dickey Sarah Louise Dickey, age 80, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away in her home Friday, December 11, 2020. She was born March 27, 1940 in Richmond, Indiana, the daughter of George Harry and Clara Ida Belle (Lamb) Pence. In 1959 she was united in marriage to Ronald Glen Dickey. Sarah graduated from California State University, Bakersfield. […] — (Posted December 16, 2020)

Elaine Pack Jaffe Brinn Elaine Pack Jaffe Brinn, Sarasota, FL, age 89, passed away December 12, 2020. She was born July 6, 1931, in Dayton, Ohio. She was the loving wife of the late Albert Brinn and previously Louis Jaffe. Predeceased by her parents Manny and Sara Pack, beloved mother of Leslie (Mitch) Marantz, Marc (Becky) Jaffe, Susan (Gary) […] — (Posted December 16, 2020)