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.

Evelyn “Gigi” Haggard Evelyn “Gigi” Haggard, 78, of Richmond passed away on August 30, 2020 at her daughter and son-in-law’s home. She was born January 7, 1942 in Richmond, IN to the late Nathan and Nannie Anderson. On October 20, 1962, she married her loving husband, Ned Haggard. She worked at Reid Memorial Hospital during her first year […] — (Posted September 2, 2020)

Marvin Luellen Marvin Luellen, 95 passed away September 1, 2020 in the home that he and his wife, June, built on the farm in 1959. He was born in Henry County to Iver and Bertha (Shinn) Luellen on June 16, 1925. He lived in the Mooreland area his entire life, attended Blountsville School and graduated from Mooreland […] — (Posted September 2, 2020)

Emetta (Mays) Sizemore Emetta (Mays) Sizemore, 81, passed away Saturday August 29, 2020, at her home in Connersville, Indiana. Emetta was born on January 27, 1939, in McKee, Kentucky. She was the daughter of the late Caner and Rosa Gray Mays. Emetta married the late Alfred Lucas Sizemore, on March 12, 1960 and they were able to spend […] — (Posted September 2, 2020)

Joy (Sturgill) Staton Joy (Sturgill) Staton, 84, of Destin, FL, formerly of New Castle, passed away early Saturday morning, August 29, 2020, at Brookdale of Destin. She was born on July 4, 1936 at Henry County Hospital, the only child of the late Roy Sturgill and Dorothy (Arrowood) Sturgill Hurst. Joy married the love of her life, Ralph […] — (Posted September 2, 2020)

Theresa M. Grubbs Theresa M. Grubbs, 58 of Richmond, Indiana died Sunday, August 30, 2020 at home. Graveside services are 1:30 p.m. Friday September 4, 2020 in the Aledo Cemetery. Visitation is noon until the time of services Friday at Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo where a memorial fund will be established. Online condolences can be made at […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Betty Jane Strzelecki It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our mother, Betty Jane Strzelecki (née Westendorf) on Saturday, August 29th due to complications of dementia and longevity. Betty was a native of Richmond, Indiana, and a daughter to the late Clarence and Helen Westendorf. Left to mourn her passing are; her daughters, […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Marilyn Waterman Marilyn Waterman passed away peacefully on August 22, 2020. Her last residence was at Foulk Manor. She previously resided in Middletown, DE, Yardley, PA and West Chester, PA. Marilyn was born ln Indiana and attended Indiana University where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. She and her husband Richard moved to Pennsylvania in […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Irene Murray Irene Murray 86 of Richmond passed away on 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 married William D. Murray in 1951 and moved to Richmond. Irene was blessed with three children Thomas, […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Shirley Jean Warth Shirley Jean Warth, age 85, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, August 31, 2020, in Marietta, Georgia, due to complications of kidney failure. Born July 4, 1935, near Monticello, Kentucky, Shirley was the daughter of the late James Chester and Edna Matthews Dunnington. She was a faithful Christian and member of Sylvan Nook Church of Christ […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Harold Eugene Pickering Harold Eugene Pickering, age 81, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, August 30, 2020, at Rosebud Village. Harold was born on March 11, 1939, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Ivan T. and Mabel M. Gray Pickering. If you have any information regarding Harold’s family, please call (765) 966-0596 — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Jonathan Blake Farmer Jonathan Blake Farmer, 23, of Liberty, passed away unexpectedly due to an epileptic seizure on Saturday, August 29, 2020, at Reid Health in Richmond. He was born on March 28, 1997, in Oxford, Ohio, and is the son of Michael Farmer and Wanda Reece Farmer. He participated with Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jonathan really […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Hazel B. Berry Hazel B. Berry, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, August 30, 2020, at Reid Health. Born December 7, 1927, in Verona, Kentucky, to Howe and Reba Kite Hood, Hazel lived in Richmond most of her life. She lovingly raised her family and, later in life, worked at Hills’ Roses, from where she retired. Hazel […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

Helen L. Longnecker Helen L. Longnecker, 82, passed away at her home early Saturday morning August 29, 2020, with her children at her side. A daughter of the late William and Leora (Miller) Biermeier, Helen was born in Wonewoc, Wisconsin on August 22, 1938. Helen graduated from Wonewoc High School and has been a member of the Cambridge […] — (Posted September 1, 2020)

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)