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.

Bailey Ranae Lewandowski Bailey Ranae Lewandowski, 29, of Hollansburg, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly at home with her family on November 13, 2020. She was born November 13, 1991, in Pontiac, Michigan to Carl Lewandowski of Dayton, Ohio and Rebecca Wicker (Ponder) of Hollansburg. Bailey was a passionate and accomplished softball player earning many accolades throughout her lifetime involvement […] — (Posted November 18, 2020)

Vernon R. “Butch” Horn Sr. Vernon R. “Butch” Horn Sr. 56 of Richmond died Monday November 16, 2020 at Reid Health after a short illness. He was born February 27, 1964 in Richmond to Vernon and Betty Baker Horn and lived here all his life. He formerly worked for Wetzel Chevrolet. He enjoyed Blues music, playing guitar, and working on […] — (Posted November 18, 2020)

Jill A. Duckett Jill A. Duckett, age 77, Richmond, passed away at Reid Health on November 15, 2020. She was born August 16, 1943, to Richard Maurice Rife and Betty Carolyn Rife in Richmond, Indiana. Jill was a lifelong resident of Wayne County and attended Richmond Community Schools. She had worked many years at Stevens Wire. She enjoyed […] — (Posted November 18, 2020)

William Park Ulerich William Park Ulerich of Columbus, Indiana passed away on Saturday November 14, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. William, better known as Bill was born on April 23, 1951 to his parents, the late Lois N. (Hicks) and Harry Dwight Ulerich. Growing up on the family farm, he helped his father in the field […] — (Posted November 18, 2020)

Frederick Earl Crane Frederick Earl Crane, 71, of New Castle passed away Monday, November 16, 2020 peacefully at his home with his wife and dog Gabby by his side. He was born July 24, 1949 in Utica, New York, a son of the late Robert and Ethel (Johnson) Crane. He was originally from Morrisville, New York and moved […] — (Posted November 18, 2020)

James F. Hicks James F. Hicks 80 went to be with the lord unexpectedly on Saturday on November 14, 2020. He was born in New Castle, IN on October 27,1940 to the late Henry Floyd Hicks and Ada Catron Hicks. Mr. Hicks was a graduate of New Castle High School in 1956. He married the late Helen Lawson […] — (Posted November 18, 2020)

Thomas Virgil Stewart Thomas Virgil Stewart, 69, Straugn, passed away Monday evening November 16, 2020 at I.U. Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. A son of the late Clarence Bradley and Audrey Lee (Shoopman) Stewart, Tom was born in New Castle, Indiana on December 6, 1950. He has lived his entire life in the Straughn and Henry County […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Norma Jean Taylor Norma Jean Taylor, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, November 15, 2020, at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. Born July 25, 1932, in Richmond, Indiana, to Charles and Eva Stanton Keller, Norma Jean lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of her life. She graduated from Connersville High School in 1950, attended Earlham […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Robert E. “Bobby” Young Jr. Robert E. “Bobby” Young Jr., age 82, of Centerville, Indiana, died Saturday, November 14, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born November 28, 1937, in Richmond, Indiana, to Robert E. and Faye Lephart Young Sr., Bobby was a life-long resident of this community. He was a farmer. Bobby enjoyed spending time with his family. Survivors include his […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Norma Louise Ross Norma Louise Ross, 89 of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, November 15, 2020 at her residence. Born on July 17, 1931 in Lewisburg, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Alice Lavina (Ruby) Kelley. Preceded in death by her Husbands: Bruce Lee Ponder in 1961 and Kenneth G. Ross in 1980; Siblings: Earl […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

David Franklin “Frank” Thomas David Franklin “Frank” Thomas, 95, of New Castle passed away Monday, November 16, 2020 at Henry Community Health. Arrangements are pending at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Myrtle E. Matta Myrtle E. Matta, 97, of New Castle passed away Sunday, November 15, 2020 at Glen Oaks Health Campus. She was born December 19, 1922 in Henry County, Indiana, a daughter of the late John and Valeta (Swindell) Gray. She was a resident of Hayward, California prior to moving to New Castle in 2005 to be […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Jimmy Lee Cowan Jimmy Lee Cowan, age 59, a New Castle resident, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020. He was born November 28, 1960 in New Castle and was a son of the late Claude and Mary Glynn Cowan. He attended New Castle schools. He enjoyed working on automobiles, martial arts, playing pool, and spending time with his […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

VeeAnn Boyd VeeAnn Boyd, age 72, a resident of rural Cambridge City, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 9, 2020. She was born May 14, 1948 in New Castle, a daughter of Gerald and Vivian Flayler. She loved spending time with her friends and church family. She was an avid animal lover, […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Jimmie Lee Brown Jimmie Lee Brown, age 60, a New Castle resident, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020 at his residence following a long illness. He was born July 18, 1960 in Crossville, Tennessee, a son of the late James Lee and Margaret Shelton Brown. He had resided in New Castle and Crossville, Tennessee the past 40 years. […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Suzanne “Sue” C. Ellis Suzanne “Sue” C. Ellis, 75, of Connersville passed away Sunday morning, November 15, 2020 at Reid Health where she had been a patient for the past week. She was born January 1, 1945 to Forrest Dale and Naomi Patchin in Fayette County. Along with her family, Sue moved to California at the age of 13. […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Dorothy Jean Hill Dorothy Jean Hill, 92, of Connersville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Reid Health of Richmond, Indiana, after being a patient at The Springs of Richmond. She was born November 10, 1928 in Brookville, Indiana, one of five children of John and Anna Ritzi Flack and was a graduate of Springfield High School […] — (Posted November 17, 2020)

Betty L. Morrison Mrs. Betty L. Morrison, 91, passed away on Saturday morning, November 14, with her children at her side. She was born on February 19, 1929 in Wayne County, Indiana and was a graduate of Whitewater High School. Betty enjoyed a long career as a secretary. She started out at AVCO and later worked at the […] — (Posted November 16, 2020)

William E. “Bill” Kirkman Mr. William E. “Bill” Kirkman, 80, of Williamsburg, passed away on Friday, November 13. Bill was born on December 5, 1939 in Shelbyville, Indiana. He married the former Patty Sexton 61 years ago on September 26, 1959. They were blessed with two children, Greg and Vicki. Bill was a truck driver and also farmed much […] — (Posted November 16, 2020)

Shirley Eikenberry Shirley Eikenberry, 85, died Saturday, November 14, 2020. Born January 19, 1935, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Robert C. and Anna Louise Risk Edwards, Shirley was a life-long resident of this community. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1953. Shirley retired from Centerville-Abington Community Schools after more than 25 years of service and had […] — (Posted November 15, 2020)

Debra Sue Brown Debra Sue Brown, 58, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on November 14, 2020. She was born on August 15, 1962 in Richmond, Indiana to Paul Edward Jeffers and Mary Louise Jeffers. Debra worked at Wernle Children’s Home for 34 years and she had a love for traveling and watching scary movies. She is survived by […] — (Posted November 15, 2020)

Vivian Delores Simpson Vivian Delores Simpson, 87, of New Castle, passed away at Henry County Community Hospital Tuesday, November 10, 2020 of complications due to COVID 19. Her daughter and son-in-law were by her side. She was born February 8, 1933 in New Castle, daughter of the late Willie Lee and Bonnie Ethal Loveless. She was a graduate […] — (Posted November 15, 2020)

Porter G. Miller Porter G. Miller, 78, Richmond, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, due to complications with Covid-19. Porter was born in Lancaster, Ohio, to Lloyd and Dorothy Kauffman Miller on June 22, 1942. He was a graduate of Lancaster High School and went on to play football and study at Otterbein College. Porter graduated with […] — (Posted November 14, 2020)

Katherine Kay Ward Katherine Kay Ward, 64, of Greens Fork, died Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Reid Health in Richmond. She was born at Duffield, VA on September 15, 1956 to Robert and Margaret Maude (Vanette) Tomlinson. She had resided in Greens Fork since 1987. She was a member of Centerville Church of the Nazarene. Survivors include 3 […] — (Posted November 13, 2020)

Florence G. Marshall Florence G. Marshall, 88, of Richmond formerly of Logansport passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at Reid Hospital in Richmond. Born on December 30, 1931 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Clara (Higgins) Clark. She was a 1951 graduate of Washington Township High School and a 1954 graduate […] — (Posted November 13, 2020)

William “Bill” Arthur Johnson William “Bill” Arthur Johnson, age 83, of Richmond, Indiana died on Tuesday (November 10, 2020) surrounded by his loved ones. Bill was born on July 19, 1937 to William and Edna Mae Hayslett Johnson in Darke county, Ohio. Bill honorably served in the Marine Corp during the Korean war in 1954. He was a former […] — (Posted November 13, 2020)

Linda A. Bridgford Linda A. Bridgford, age 82, of Centerville, Indiana, died Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at Arbor Trace. Born December 15, 1937, in Goshen, Indiana, to William and Isabell Holtzinger Fiedeke, Linda lived in Centerville most of her life. She graduated from DePauw University with a bachelor’s degree in education. Linda was the head teacher at Abington […] — (Posted November 13, 2020)

Rosemary M. Klemann Rosemary M. Klemann, age 84, of Richmond died November 10, 2020, at The Springs of Richmond. She was born February 5, 1936, in Springfield, Ohio, to Joseph and Thelma Moul Campbell. Rosemary was a 1954 graduate of Catholic Central High School in Springfield, Ohio and was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She was very […] — (Posted November 13, 2020)

Patricia J. Brooks Patricia J. Brooks, 89, of Losantville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at Parker City. She was born in Hagerstown on February 26, 1931, to Merle Sharp and Dorothy Sharp Burrows. Patty was a 1949 graduate of Hagerstown High School, and on November 5, 1949, she married Wilbur Brooks. He preceded her in […] — (Posted November 12, 2020)

Richard Eugene Mayberry Richard Eugene Mayberry was born October 2, 1950, in Centerville, Tennessee to Norman Douglas Mayberry and Lena Margaret Boatright Mayberry. Richard graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1968. After graduation from high school, he attended broadcasting school in Columbus, Ohio. His first job after attending broadcasting school was a DJ at WKBV in Richmond […] — (Posted November 12, 2020)