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.

Irene Murray Irene Murray 86 of Richmond died August 28, 2020 at Reid Health. She was born November 28, 1933 in Jackson County, Kentucky to Dan and Flora Hensley Deaton and lived here most of her life. She retired from Reid Hospital where she worked as a unit clerk and secretary for the laboratory. Irene was a […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

Alfred J. De Iulio Alfred J. De Iulio, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born March 5, 1934, in Harlem, New York, to Amotto and Concetta Grecco De Iulio, Alfred moved from Southern California to Richmond in 2002. He was a hardworking man, who provided an extraordinary life for his […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

Harvey Curtis “Curt” Wright Harvey Curtis “Curt” Wright, age 68, of Centerville, Indiana, died Friday, August 28, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. Curt was born on October 13, 1951, in Richmond, Indiana, and was the son of William Marshall and Margie Jackilee Qualls. He was lovingly raised by his grandmother, Dora Warren Qualls and uncles, Kenneth […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

Hugh Edwin Morgan Hugh Edwin Morgan, 89, a lifelong resident of Liberty, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Reid Health of Richmond. He was born February 26, 1931, the oldest of two children of John and Anna (Whitaker) Morgan. He was a 1949 graduate of Kitchel High School in Union County. On February 24, 1950, Hugh married […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

Harvey Azbill Harvey Azbill 73 of Richmond died August 27, 2020, at his home. He was born July 4, 1947, in Hamilton, to Charles and Mary Smother Azbill and lived here most of his life. He worked as a painter. Survivors include his wife Provie, seven daughters Carol, Venessa, Tonya, Lisa, Connie, Michelle, and Sarah, 19 grandchildren, […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

Martha Catherine Riley Witham Martha Catherine Riley Witham, 75, of New Castle, died Thursday, August 27, 2020. She was born in New Castle, Indiana on September 11, 1944 to her parents Reverend George Carvin Riley and Ida Catherine Carender Riley, living much of her life in Henry and Wayne counties. Martha was raised in a family of gospel singers, […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

Gregory B. Boatright Gregory B. Boatright, 73, of Indianapolis, formerly of Knightstown, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020 at his residence. He was born March 13, 1947 in New Castle the son of Meredith J. and Gladys L. (Ealy) Boatright. Gregory retired from Indianapolis Public Schools where he served as Dean of Boys at Northwest High School. He […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

Brian Thomas Moore Brian Thomas Moore, age 51, of Oakland, California, died Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland. Brian was born on February 1, 1969, in Des Plaines, Illinois, to Thomas and Patricia Witte Moore. He was a 1987 graduate of Richmond High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from […] — (Posted August 30, 2020)

David A. Melle David A. Melle, age 82, went to be with the Lord at North East Methodist Hospital after a lengthy illness on August 20, 2020 surrounded by loved ones. He was a native resident of Centerville, Indiana and later moved to San Antonio, Texas with his family. He was a graduate of Richmond High School and […] — (Posted August 28, 2020)

Harold Leroy “Curly” Defibaugh Harold Leroy “Curly” Defibaugh, 92, of Hollansburg, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, August 26, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He was born in Lynn, Indiana, on August 6, 1928, the son of Russell Earl and Jessie Marie Phillips Defibaugh. Curly retired from Kaiser Agricultural Chemical. He had worked earlier in life as […] — (Posted August 28, 2020)

John “Obie” Eaton John “Obie” Eaton, age 77, passed away on Saturday, August 16th, 2020 at Reid Hospital. He was born January 14th,1943 in Henning, Tennessee to Eula and Henry Eaton. John Was a retired employee of Wernle Youth and Family Center. He was a devoted choir member and Deacon at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. He was well […] — (Posted August 27, 2020)

Richard Craig Willyard Richard Craig Willyard, 67, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at IU Health Methodist Hospital. Rick was born on May 23, 1953 in Barnsville, OH, a son of the late Rev. James Beecher and Lorraine (Parlier) Willyard. As the son of a preacher, […] — (Posted August 27, 2020)

Carmel Abner Carmel Abner, age 78, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, August 24, 2020, at his home. Born January 25, 1942, in Jackson County, Kentucky, to Lewis Marshall and Retha Webb Abner, Carmel lived in Richmond most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army. Carmel retired from Dana Corporation, after working as a tool grinder […] — (Posted August 27, 2020)

Richard F. “Dick” Werner Richard F. “Dick” Werner, age 63, passed away on August 22, 2020 at his home. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on January 6, 1957 to Henry R. and Colleen Blickwedel Werner. Dick grew up in the south end of Richmond and as a youth he “lived and breathed” scouting. He was an Eagle Scout […] — (Posted August 26, 2020)

Judy K. Paul Judy K. Paul, 75, of Liberty, died August 19, 2020, at Indiana University Hospital, in Indianapolis. Judy was born August 23, 1944, in Richmond, to Ernest and Margaret Nancy Parish Stinson. She was a graduated from Short High School with the class of 1962. Judy was member of the First Presbyterian Church of Liberty, she […] — (Posted August 26, 2020)

S. Scott Simmons S. Scott Simmons – Dad to Lee and Hannah, Son to Nancy and Sid, Brother to Greg and Theresa, Grandpa to Liam, Helena, and Papaw to Mila, and friend to everyone he ever met, passed away unexpectedly at his home on 8/21/2020. Scott (58) was born on May 30, 1962 in Racine, Wisconsin to Sidney […] — (Posted August 26, 2020)

Lois G. Kabisch Lois G. Kabisch, 92, of Connersville, passed away Friday morning, August 21, 2020 at the Heritage House of Connersville. She was born on March 18, 1928 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the oldest of two children of Marvin and Shirley C. (Bowser) Sauers. She graduated from Northside High School in Fort Wayne. On January 6, 1949, […] — (Posted August 25, 2020)

Serena L. Taylor Serena L. Taylor, 60, of Connersville passed away Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Reid Health, Richmond. One of two children of William A. and Loretta Bannon Hughes, Serena was born in Connersville on March 17, 1960, and graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1978. For many years, she was employed as a […] — (Posted August 24, 2020)

Geraldine W. Beasley Geraldine W. Beasley, age 84, of Camden, Ohio, died Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Reid Health. Born January 6, 1936, in Preble County, Ohio, to William and Grace Wilson Webb, Geraldine lived most of her life in Preble County. She loved spending time with and caring for her family. Survivors include her daughter, Kathy Beasley […] — (Posted August 24, 2020)

Ernest R. “Ernie” Heighway Ernest R. “Ernie” Heighway, age 84, of Fountain City, Indiana, died Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Reid Health. Born November 25, 1935, in Akron, Indiana, to Robert O. and Ruth Eleanor Hamilton Heighway, Ernie was a 1953 graduate of Beaver Dam High School in Akron. He was a farmer early in his life. Ernie moved […] — (Posted August 24, 2020)

Joyce Ann Durham Joyce Ann Durham, 86, passed away Friday evening August 21, 2020 at Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville, Indiana. A daughter of the late Francis and Martha (West) Mathes, Joyce was born in Connersville, Indiana on May 24, 1934. She was a graduate of Liberty High School with the class of 1952. A longtime Pershing resident, she […] — (Posted August 23, 2020)

Anna M. Brokering Anna M. Brokering, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Heritage House of Richmond. Anna was born December 30, 1940, and previously lived in Laurel, Indiana. If you have any information about Anna M. Brokering’s family, please call Doan & Mills Funeral Home at (765) 966-0596. — (Posted August 23, 2020)

Travis Lee Barker Travis Lee Barker, age 46, went on his journey to a pain free heaven, August 20, 2020. He was born to Vicky Lynn Aills Ponder and Roger L. Barker, on August 24, 1973, in Richmond, Indiana. Travis was a quick wit, kind and compassionate man. He worked in the food service business until his physical […] — (Posted August 23, 2020)

Marjorie D. Braithwaite Marjorie D. Braithwaite, age 96, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, August 15, 2020, at Friends Fellowship Community. Marjorie was born on January 6, 1924, in Danbury Township, Ohio, to John and Lydia Kihlken Dayton. She retired from Berea City School District, where she worked as a secretary. Marjorie enjoyed volunteering for different organizations, but spent […] — (Posted August 22, 2020)

Honer Daniel “Dan” Howard Honer Daniel “Dan” Howard 65 of Richmond died August 14, 2020. He was born March 5, 1955 in Richmond to Homer and Opal Parsons Howard and lived here all his life. He worked as an Over the Road Truck Driver and was a veteran of the National Guard. Survivors include his two daughters Ashley (Matthew) […] — (Posted August 21, 2020)

Mark Allen Holthouse Mark Allen Holthouse, 65, of Richmond Indiana passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday August 16, 2020. Mark was a beloved son, brother, father grandfather, and uncle. He was also a life-long resident of Richmond IN. Mark traveled all over North America on his motorcycle for several years after college. He was a […] — (Posted August 21, 2020)

Daniel H. Bolser Daniel H. Bolser, 55, of Liberty passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 due to a tragic motorcycle accident. He was born on October 2, 1964 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Allen W. Bolser and Sandra Schmidt Bolser. On July 26, 1995, Daniel married the love of his life and the mother of his children in […] — (Posted August 21, 2020)

Odell Lee Gilbert Odell Lee Gilbert 51 of Richmond passed away unexpectedly Thursday August 20, 2020. He was born August 22, 1968 in New Castle to Odell and Arlee Ferguson and lived here all of his life. He enjoyed NASCAR, Fishing and treasure hunting. He is survived by his two brothers Bill Gilbert, Rocky (Kim) Ferguson, four sisters […] — (Posted August 21, 2020)

Gerald Wayne “Jerry” Claypoole Gerald Wayne “Jerry” Claypoole, age 76, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, August 20, 2020, at his home. Gerald was born on June 2, 1944, in Mays Lick, Kentucky, to Stanley Glen and Elma Yancy Robb Claypoole. He was one of 10 children and worked on the family farm. Gerald joined the U.S. Army in 1965 […] — (Posted August 21, 2020)

Charles E. Burgess Charles E. Burgess, 88, of New Paris, Ohio and formerly of Hagerstown, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. He was born on September 26, 1931 in Whitewater, IN to Robert J. and Ruby L. (McGunigill) Burgess. Charles lived all of his life in this area. He retired as […] — (Posted August 21, 2020)