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.

Nancy A. Smith Nancy A. Smith, 80, of Richmond, passed away in her home on Tuesday, November 3. She was born on August 11, 1940 in Franklin Township of Wayne County, Indiana to Emil Elsworth & Mildred Fern Plessinger Filby. She was a 1958 graduate of Whitewater High School. She married Jon R. “Jack” Smith on April 7, […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

Jimmy E. VanCamp Jimmy E. VanCamp, 82, of New Castle, passed away at his home on Thursday, September 24, 2020. Jim was born December 15, 1937 in Richmond to Paul and Martha (Moss) VanCamp. He attended Greens Fork High School and joined the Navy after graduation in 1956. In April of 1958, while stationed in California, he met […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

Patricia L. Lemmons Patricia L. Lemmons, 85, Milton, passed away in Florida October 10, 2020. Patricia was born on December 30, 1934 to David and Dorothy (Campbell) Winkle. She was a long-time resident of Milton and Wayne County until 1996 when she and her husband Leo relocated to Florida for their retirement. Patti enjoyed her family and friends, […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

Melba Lorain Riddle Melba Lorain Riddle, 87, of New Castle passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Henry Community Health. She was born February 20, 1933 in Albany, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Roy and Bessie (Willen) Cross. She was a member of Greensboro United Methodist Church. Melba loved raising her children & spending time with family […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

Paul Nutty Paul Nutty, 71, of Connersville passed away Wednesday afternoon, November 4, 2020, at Hickory Creek of Connersville. One of eight children of Carl and Leota Lou Stevens Nutty, Paul was born in Connersville on October 5, 1949, and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1968. Paul served his country in the United […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

Richard W. Worth Richard W. Worth, 83, Lynn, passed away November 3, 2020, at Memorial Hospital, Gulfport, Mississippi, after a long illness. Richard was born in Lynn, Indiana on November 17, 1936, to Roland and Sara Margaret Worth. He is preceded in death by his second wife, Josephine, and his first wife, Sandra. He is also preceded in […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

Joseph S. Reis Joseph S. Reis, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, October 31, 2020, at Reid Health. Born October 20, 1949, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Robert and Joan Sachs Reis, Joseph moved to Richmond in 2014. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1972, where he was a member of Zeta Beta Tau. Joseph […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

Betty L. Bertsch Betty L. Bertsch, 84, passed away on November 3, 2020, after a long illness of Alzheimer’s. She was born February 1, 1936, to the late Homer F. and Hazel G. Harkleroad McMurray, in Sullivan County Tennessee. She attended Hiltons High School in Hiltons, Virginia. She attended waitress training and obtained a certificate while employed at […] — (Posted November 6, 2020)

David Lee Hall David Lee Hall, age 76, of Centerville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 31, 2020. David was born on April 19, 1944, in Richmond, Indiana, to Maynard and Kathleen Peters Hall. Living in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life, he graduated from Seymour High School and earned an associate […] — (Posted November 5, 2020)

Peter “Pete” Brian Smith Peter “Pete” Brian Smith 60 of Richmond died October 30, 2020, at Reid Health unexpectedly from Mesothelioma Cancer. He was born July 9, 1960, in Richmond to Alan Duane and Gracie Ilene Ladd Smith and lived here all his life. He was formerly employed with Specialty Systems and Hoffco. He enjoyed the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, […] — (Posted November 5, 2020)

Lisa Hartley Merriman Lisa Hartley Merriman, 48, Granbury, Texas passed away on November 2, 2020. She was born December 1, 1971, in Richmond, Indiana. A 1990 graduate of Hagerstown Jr. Sr. High School, she was active in athletics and enjoyed spending time with friends. After high school she worked many years for UPS in Louisville, Kentucky. After her […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

John Thomas Hill “Tom” John Thomas Hill “Tom” born on March 25th, 1941 passed away Saturday, October 31st, 2020 at Reid Hospital surrounded by his wife and children. He was laid to rest in Earlham Cemetery. A lifelong resident of Richmond, Tom graduated from RHS in 1959. He was a member of the 1956 Undefeated RHS State Champion Football […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

Rondal Snyder Rondal Snyder 83 of Liberty passed away on November 2, 2020 after several months at the Whitewater Commons nursing home. Rondal was born on January 2, 1937 in Connersville, IN. He was the son of Ralph and Mary Snyder and had 2 sisters, Sallee Roach and Karen Plyley. Rondal married the love of his life, […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

Kenneth Ray Burcham Reverend Dr. Kenneth Ray Burcham, 73, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020 at his residence in Greenwood, IN. He was born on December 27, 1946 in Muncie, IN to Raymond D. and Daisy K. (Reynolds) Burcham. He married Nancy Louise Garman on March 19, 1982. She survives. Other survivors include his children Lee Ann […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

Richard P. “Dick” Mendenhall Richard P. “Dick” Mendenhall, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Born December 8, 1948, in Richmond, Indiana, to Paul H. and Julia M. Trimble Mendenhall, Dick was a life-long resident of this community. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1966. Dick was part […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

Charles Troy House Charles Troy House, 89, of Connersville, passed away Monday, November 2, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis. The oldest of three children, he was born May 7, 1931 in London, Kentucky to the late Caleb and Myrtle (Cupp) House. On February 23, 1952, Charles married Nancy Hammons in Jellico, Tennessee. Mrs. House survives. Charles proudly […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

Sandra S. “Sandy” Crumpton Sandra S. “Sandy” Crumpton, 81, of Connersville passed away early Monday morning, November 2, 2020, at Reid Health, Richmond. The youngest of four daughters of Roy and Barbara Callaway Hobbs, Sandy was born on May 4, 1939. Sandy was raised in Connersville by her mother and stepfather, William Kenmuir, where she graduated from Connersville High […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

George W. Longnecker George W. Longnecker, 75, of Cambridge City, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Reid Hospital. He as born on April 7, 1945 in Perth Amboy, NJ to Harry F. and Emma C. (Thomas) Longnecker and moved here at a young age. He was employed by Bertsch & Company for many years as a […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

James Hill James Hill, age 92, Richmond, passed away at Miami Valley Hospital on October 29, 2020. He was born November 2, 1927, to Henry and Cordelia Cougill in Centerville, Indiana. James was a graduate of Centerville High School and a veteran of the United States Army. He retired as a supervisor from Dana Corporation. James loved […] — (Posted November 4, 2020)

Kathleen Alberta Jolley Kathleen Alberta Jolley, age 93, a New Castle resident, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 5, 1927 in Cambridge City, Indiana, a daughter of the late James and Ellen Moffitt Huffman. She had resided in New Castle most of her life and was […] — (Posted November 3, 2020)

Wanda L. Carper Wanda L. Carper, age 73, a New Castle resident, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 31, 2020. She was a patient at I.U. Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana She was born October 10, 1947 in Tazewell, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Henry David and Bertha Lee Rutherford Ridings. […] — (Posted November 3, 2020)

Steven C. O’Brien Steven C. O’Brien, age 41, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020, at his home. Born December 1, 1978, in Greenville, Ohio, to Chris and Suzanne Monnin O’Brien, Steve grew up in Arcanum, Ohio, and later moved to Richmond in 2002. He earned two associate degrees from University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, […] — (Posted November 3, 2020)

Sharon Kaye Holmes Stegner Sharon Kaye Holmes Stegner, 70, of Connersville, passed away peacefully Friday evening, October 30, 2020 at Reid Health of Richmond, Indiana. A life-long resident of Connersville, Sharon was born on March 5, 1950 in Connersville, Indiana, the daughter of Richard Dale and Marcia June Lewark Holmes and was a 1968 graduate of Connersville High School. […] — (Posted November 2, 2020)

James Hill James Hill, age 92, passed away at Miami Valley Hospital on October 29, 2020. He was born November 2, 1927, to Henry and Cordelia Cougill in Centerville, Indiana. James was a graduate of Centerville High School and a veteran of the United States Army. He retired as a supervisor from Dana Corporation. James loved to […] — (Posted November 2, 2020)

Heather Vanessa Shelton Heather Vanessa Shelton, 24, Cambridge City, passed away at her home Friday October 30, 2020 from complications of diabetes. Heather was born in Connersville, Indiana on February 6, 1996. She has lived her whole life in the Connersville and Cambridge City communities and graduated from Lincoln High School in 2014 where she was active in […] — (Posted November 2, 2020)

Raymond G. Ford Raymond G. Ford, 89, of Lebanon, IN passed on Friday, October 30, 2020. He was born in Livia, KY on May 29, 1931 to Ernest and Mary (Ferguson) Ford. Raymond served in the Marines during the Korean Conflict and later went to Jones University where he met his future wife, Virginia Dockins, after graduation he […] — (Posted November 2, 2020)

Francis Jeanette Wooten Francis Jeanette Wooten, 92, of New Castle, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at Heritage House of New Castle, on October 31, 2020. She was born in New Castle on March 8, 1928 to Joseph and Neva Thompson, and was a 1945 graduate of New Castle High School. Along with her first husband, Bob Williams, […] — (Posted November 2, 2020)

Robert Edwin “Bob” Groff Robert Edwin “Bob” Groff 82 of Richmond died November 1, 2020, at Reid Health after a long illness. He was born May 24, 1938, in Richmond to Edwin and Martha Harter Groff and lived here all his life. He retired as a Railroad Engineer working for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central Railroad, Conrail, and C&O […] — (Posted November 1, 2020)

Erna N. “Helena” Dunn Erna N. “Helena” Dunn, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at Golden Living Center-Golden Rule. Helena was born on October 1, 1928, in Austria, to Franz Koonshitz and Katrina Ortner Nothburger. She became a U.S. citizen in 1968 and had lived in Richmond since the 1980s. Helena retired as a nurse […] — (Posted November 1, 2020)

Kellie Jean Becraft Kellie Jean Becraft, 49, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord at her residence surrounded by her loving family, Thursday morning, October 29, 2020, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on June 25, 1971 in Connersville, a daughter of Leonard and Debra Jean Brannon Becraft. She was a 1989 graduate […] — (Posted November 1, 2020)