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.

Joyce Mills McLear Joyce Mills McLear, age 82, of Centerville, Indiana, died Thursday, November 26, 2020, at Reid Health. Born February 22, 1938, in Richmond, Indiana, to Vernon “Pappy” and Hazel Null Mills, Joyce lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a 1956 graduate of Richmond High School. Joyce worked at Hiatt Grocery, INA, Golden Rule […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

Ralph L. Shute Sr. Ralph L. Shute Sr., 92, of Cambridge City, Indiana, went peacefully to be with the Lord on November 26, 2020. He was born on February 2, 1928, in Richmond Indiana, to Leslie M. and Pearl (Coffman) Shute. He was the third of five children. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1946, and served as […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

Mildred Mantooth Mildred Mantooth, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, November 26, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born February 25, 1938, in Richmond, Indiana, to Harry and Ida Seaney Christy, Mildred was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a 1956 graduate of Richmond High School. Mildred worked at Alcoa, Knollenberg’s, and Walmart. She loved doing crafts […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

Mildred “Susie” Martin Mildred “Susie” Martin, age 91, of Greens Fork, Indiana, passed away Friday, November 27, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born June 13, 1929, at the family farm in Greens Fork, Indiana, to Carl J. and Jessie Ellen Mull Martin, Susie was a life-long resident of this area. She was a 1947 graduate of Centerville High School. […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

June Brooks June Brooks, 93, Fountain City, passed away on Friday November 27. She was born June A. Kutche in Richmond, Indiana, on June 28, 1927, the daughter of James G. & Florence H. Parr Kutche. She was a homemaker and formerly worked at Richmond Baking Company. June will be missed by her daughters, Judy Pierce and […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

Norma Veronica Bertsch Norma Veronica Bertsch 85, of Richmond passed away peacefully November 27, 2020 at Rosebud Village. She was born January 15, 1935 in Swansea, Wales to Burtram and Florence Eleanor Norris. Norma was a member of the First Church of England. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1956 and attended citizenship classes in Richmond; she was […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

Mary Ellen May Mary Ellen May 99 of Richmond died Monday, November 23, 2020, at Ambassador Health Care. She was born March 18, 1921, in St. Mary’s, Ohio to John and Sarah Moser Jacobs and lived here most of her life. She was a 1940 graduate of Memorial High School in St. Mary’s Ohio and retired from Richmond […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

James Dean Clark James Dean Clark, 64, of Connersville passed away Thursday, November 26, 2020, of heart complications at Reid Health, Richmond. One of six children of Robert and Roxie Huber Clark, James was born in Connersville on June 27, 1956. He graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1976 and served his country in the […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

Jimmie G. Smith Jimmie G. Smith, age 68, passed away November 27, 2020, at his residence after a short hard-fought battle with ALS. He was born on September 21, 1952, in McKee, KY to James and Anna (Cox) Smith. He graduated from Connersville High School in 1971 and later served in the United States Army with a majority […] — (Posted November 29, 2020)

Philip D. Blose Philip D. Blose, age 95, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at his home. Born January 12, 1925, in Whitewater, Indiana, to Harold D. and Martha Alice Ross Blose, Phil was a 1942 graduate of Brookville High School. He was a proud World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy aboard […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Raymond L. Sharp Raymond L. Sharp, 85, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. He was a lifelong resident of Hagerstown, Indiana where he resided with his wife of 65 years and high-school sweetheart, Patricia (Lindamood) Sharp. He is survived by Patricia, Five children: Steve (Kim) Sharp, Scott (Cheryl) Sharp, Sean (Patti) Sharp, Stacie (Jeff) Huffine, Shellie […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Margaret “Peggy” Louise Nicholson Margaret “Peggy” Louise Nicholson, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana died on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones. Peggy was born on October 15, 1941 to Bernard “Ben” H. and Julia “Judy” E. (Zwissler) Habing in Richmond, Indiana. She graduated from Richmond High School and later married her beloved husband Jerome Nicholson in […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Martha C. Mosey Martha C. Mosey, age 99, Richmond, passed away on November 22, 2020, at Arbor Trace in Richmond, IN, where she had been a resident since 2010. She was born on March 6, 1921, in Greens Fork, IN; the sixth child of Anna K. (Monson) and Fhad George Mosey. She attended St. Andrews Catholic School in […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

David Charles Kem M.D. David Charles Kem M.D., 83, child of God, beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 22, 2020. David Kem and his three brothers were raised in Richmond, Indiana, by their parents Charles and Janice Kem, a dentist and schoolteacher. He was educated […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Richard Elwood “Jeff” Jeffers Richard Elwood “Jeff” Jeffers, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Friday, November 20, 2020, at his home. Jeff was born November 27, 1930, in Glencoe, Ohio, to Joseph E. and Pauline Holiday Jeffers. He came to Richmond in 1948 seeking employment at the age of 18. Jeff worked at Wallace Metal Products, where he […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Howard L’ Hommedieu (Lum) Bourne Howard L’ Hommedieu (Lum) Bourne, 87, Liberty, died peacefully on November 23, 2020. Lum was born to Howard and Blanche Chapman Bourne in Bath Indiana on May 29, 1927. He graduated from Union High School, College Corner Ohio on May 17, 1945. He then served as Fireman First Class in the United States Navy being […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Marilyn Miller Bizzaro Marilyn Miller Bizzaro passed from this life on November 23, 2020 at the age of 93. She was born on March 26, 1927 in Richmond, Indiana to Arthur and Ethel Miller. She has joined her husband Charles, her daughter Mary Jo Bizzaro Szymanowski, her parents and her best friend Cindy Willis in Heaven, all of […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Lonnie K. Lewis Lonnie K. Lewis, age 77, a New Castle resident, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospital in Anderson. He was born July 8, 1943 in Mooreland, Indiana and was a son of the late Arthur and Virginia Hale Lewis. He was a graduate of Mooreland High School where he excelled in sports-especially, […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Eula Faye (Eaton) Ward Eula Faye (Eaton) Ward, age 83, resident of Cambridge City, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Glen Oaks Health Campus in New Castle. She was born in Monticello, Kentucky on July 30, 1937 the daughter of Hubert and Delvia (Davenport) Eaton. Her family moved to New Castle in the mid 1950’s. She was married […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

James M. Werner James M. Werner 79 of Lynn passed away November 24, 2020, at Reid Health after a long Illness. He was born August 12, 1941, in Richmond to Harry Sr. and Frances E. Teetzel Werner and lived in Randolph County for 40 years. He worked in maintenance at Fram in Greenville, Ohio. Jim was a member […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Robert James Younts Robert James Younts, age 74, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Reid Health. Born January 17, 1946, in Richmond, Indiana, to Robert Nelson and Vivian Freeman Younts, Robert lived in this community for most of his life, also residing in Michigan for many years. He proudly served in the United States Air […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

James Kenneth “Kenny” Voiles James Kenneth “Kenny” Voiles, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, November 23, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. Born May 1, 1934, in McCreary County, Kentucky, to Issac Mitchell and Lou Verna Stephens Voiles, Kenny lived in Richmond most of his life. He worked in the sanitation department at the Richmond State […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Joseph D. Moubray Joseph D. Moubray, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at Dayton Veterans Medical Center in Ohio. Born May 16, 1933, in Dresden, Tennessee, to William and Lois Winston Moubray, Joseph moved to Richmond in 1996. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1960. Joseph was a welder by trade. He enjoyed […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

David M. Demuth David M. Demuth, age 61, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, November 20, 2020, at Reid Health with family by his side. David was born on April 28, 1959, in Richmond, Indiana, to Willis G. and Rita P. Demuth, the youngest of six siblings. He graduated from PJ’s College of Cosmetology. After gaining experience at local […] — (Posted November 27, 2020)

Betty Jean (Carr) French Betty Jean (Carr) French 78 of Greens Fork died November 24, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville after a long illness. She was born May 16, 1942, to Clarence Carr and Ema Black Sandlin; she lived in this area most of her life. Betty was a homemaker. She is survived by her children Clyde (Eng) […] — (Posted November 25, 2020)

Clara Afton Marlatt Sowers Clara Afton Marlatt Sowers, passed away November 24, 2020 in her home with family in East Germantown, Indiana. She was born December 12, 1919 east of Milton to Zella and Charles Marlatt. She was shy of turning 101 years old by 18 days. She married Kenneth Sowers, March 8, 1941 at Zion’s Lutheran Church, East […] — (Posted November 25, 2020)

Betty Jean Rogan Ketron Betty Jean Rogan Ketron, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born December 12, 1925, in Darke County, Ohio, to Percy and Echo Timmons Brown, Betty lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of her life. She graduated from Whitewater High School. Betty retired as a bus driver […] — (Posted November 25, 2020)

Ruth Joan Johnson Ruth Joan Johnson, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Rosebud Village. Born August 1, 1928, in Lindenwald, Ohio, to Joseph and Canna French Chandler, Ruth moved to Richmond in 1966. She worked as a housekeeper at Earlham College for 14 years and had worked at Rose Hamilton Elementary School for […] — (Posted November 25, 2020)

Donald Sherron Porch On Thursday November 19, 2020, Donald Sherron Porch, “Uncle Donald”, peacefully passed away at age 77 at Rosebud Nursing Home. Donald was born February 21, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama to Marie Rosetta Porch. He attended Woodlawn High School in Birmingham where he played the drums for the marching band. Donald moved to Richmond, Indiana over […] — (Posted November 25, 2020)

Charles Michael “Mike” Oldham Charles Michael “Mike” Oldham, 72, of New Castle, formerly of Pendleton passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 30, 2020 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Pastor Tobby Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Grove Lawn Cemetery in Pendleton with military honors. Friends may […] — (Posted November 25, 2020)