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. You can also learn about how to place a paid obituary in the Western Wayne News.

Melanie Diane Falcone Melanie Diane Falcone passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary, Inc. — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Charlene Isaacs Charlene Isaacs passed away on Friday July 31, 2026, at the Brickyard Healthcare in Richmond, Indiana at the age of 72. Charlene was the youngest of thirteen children born to Godfrey Pearl and Anna May (Rader) Isaacs in Connersville, Indiana on March 1, 1954. Charlene enjoyed going golfing, bowling and taking trips with her assisted […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

James Choate, Jr James Choate, Jr. passed away on Monday July 27, 2026, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana at the age of 64. He was born on February 8, 1962, the son of James, Sr. and Genevieve Choate. James was a truck driver. He was known as a workaholic that enjoyed being outdoors in nature, whether it […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Timothy F. Balzer Timothy F. Balzer, age 66, of Franklin, OH passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026 at his residence. He was born May 13, 1960 in Dayton, OH. Tim worked 33 years as an aircraft mechanic, with the last 14 years at Air Transport International in Wilmington, OH. His love for aviation enabled him to travel […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Shawn Allan Thompson Shawn Allan Thompson, 43, of New Castle passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026 at his residence following a six-month battle with cancer. He was born July 27, 1983 in Rushville, Indiana to Allan Thompson and Jennifer Cameron. Shawn is survived by his wife of 7 years, Stacy Thompson. Together, Stacy and Shawn built a loving […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Danielle N. Combs Danielle N. Combs, age 51 of West Manchester, Ohio passed peacefully Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Danielle was born on July 7, 1975, in Darke County, Ohio, the daughter of Mike & Jan L. (Dispennette) Cook. Danielle was a 1993 Greenville High School Graduate and a 2014 graduate of […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Ellen Jean Mong Obituary pending… Funeral services for Ellen Mong will be held Wednesday, August 12th, 2026, at Community Family Funeral Home beginning at 7 p.m. Family and friends may arrive to the funeral home two hours prior for visitation hours. Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements. Send online condolences to the family via […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Regina Lynn Godwin Obituary and arrangements pending… — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Darrel Wooton Darrel Wooton, age 80, of New Paris, OH passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at home surrounded by his family. He was born August 24, 1945 in Hyden, KY to the late Roy and Mary (Huff) Wooton. Darrel graduated from high school in Hawaii where he was living with his brother. He was a […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Glen Smith Glen Osby Smith, 96, died Saturday, August 1, 2026 peacefully in his sleep at home. Glen was born a firecracker on July 4, 1930 in Pall Mall, Tennessee to Coy and Mallie Smith. He married Mary Willoudene “Willy” Mercer on May 15, 1949. Willy and Glen had two children, a daughter Marcia and son Darrell. […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Lonnie “Sue” Rivers Lonnie “Sue” Rivers, age 85, of West Alexandria, OH passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026. She was born July 24, 1941 in Beattyville, KY to the late Donald and Effie (Oliver) Green. Sue was the owner of South Main Beauty Salon for over 30 years where she spent much of her life making others feel […] — (Posted August 2, 2026)

Virginia Lester Virginia Lester, 90, of New Castle, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Glen Oaks Health Campus. She was born November 13, 1935, in Monticello, KY, the daughter of Abner and Bonnie Parmley. Virginia was a member of Whittier Lane Baptist Church for over 50 years. She was a hairdresser beginning her career at Clara […] — (Posted August 2, 2026)

Calvin Thomas “Tom” Rains Jr. Calvin Thomas “Tom” Rains Jr., 64, of New Castle, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Friday, July 31, 2026, at home. He was born on May 27, 1962, in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late Calvin Thomas “Tommy” Rains Sr. and Nora Lane (Jeffries) Mason. Tom was a 1980 gradu… — (Posted August 1, 2026)

Stephen Kaufman Stephen K. Kaufman passed away on Thursday evening July 30, 2026, at his residence at the age of 75. The oldest of four children, he was born in Richmond, Indiana on February 13, 1951, to Glen and Barbara (Snyder) Kaufman. He attended Brownsville United Methodist Church from a young age. Stephen was a licensed independent […] — (Posted August 1, 2026)

Christina Jane Baldwin Nicholson Christina Jane Baldwin Nicholson, November 3, 1931 – July 29, 2026 Our mother, friend, teacher, and mentor to so very many people finished her lessons and went on her way. What a gift she was to all of us and what a life of knowledge seeking and sharing she led. Christina Jane Baldwin Nicholson or […] — (Posted August 1, 2026)

Wayne Thomas Harold Wayne Thomas passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday July 28, 2026, at the age of 76. The only child of Verner and Jessie Hammond Thomas, he was born on March 7, 1950, in Connersville, IN. Wayne was united in marriage on June 18, 2005, in Metamora, IN to Cathy Siedling. They shared 21 years of […] — (Posted August 1, 2026)

Fannie Wanda Howard Obituary and Arrangements Pending — (Posted August 1, 2026)

Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Boone Elizabeth Ann (Mason, Wagoner) Boone was born December 29, 1931 and deceased July 30, 2026. She was the younger daughter of Thomas and Nellie (Wray) Mason and was born and raised on a farm near Sawyer, Kansas. At the age of fourteen, she requested Christian baptism and lived faithfully as a follower of Jesus. She […] — (Posted July 31, 2026)

Benjamin Levi Pruet Benjamin Levi Pruet, 45, a resident of Indianapolis passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026 at his home. He was born September 9, 1980 in Indianapolis to William and Darla (Pruet) Armstrong of Rushville. Ben had been employed at Shares, Inc in Greenfield where he worked assembling parts. He loved old time horror movies such as […] — (Posted July 31, 2026)

Julie Clark Julie Elaine (Bell) Clark, age 68, of Beech Grove, IN, who passed away at her home on July 22, 2026.Julie grew up in New Castle, IN, and was a 1976 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School, where she was active in choir and theatre. She loved music, attending plays—including seeing Jersey Boys on Broadway—and […] — (Posted July 31, 2026)

John “Jack” Worrell Kirk John “Jack” Worrell Kirk, 88, passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2026. He was born on March 15, 1938, in the Media, Pennsylvania, area west of Philadelphia, Jack was raised among a close-knit family and maintained strong ties to his Pennsylvania roots throughout his life. He attended Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, graduating in […] — (Posted July 31, 2026)

Paula Francis Julian Paula Francis Julian, 84, of Connersville, passed away Thursday morning, July 30, 2026, at Heritage House of Connersville. The youngest of four children of Willard “Bill” H. and Elva Cook, Paula was born on January 4, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky. She graduated from Shawnee High School with the class of 1961 and later attended Ivy […] — (Posted July 31, 2026)

Victor Scott David Victor Scott, 79, of Connersville, passed away early Wednesday morning, July 29, 2026, at The Willows of Greensburg. The oldest of two sons of Floyd Marion and Mary Ellen Boone Scott, David was born in Connersville on October 12, 1946. He graduated from Alquina High School with the class of 1964. On August 3, […] — (Posted July 31, 2026)

Sheena Marie Whipple Hackensmith Sheena Marie Hackensmith Whipple, 37, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at her home in Laurel. A daughter of Charles and Lisa Conner Hackensmith, Sheena was born on February 25, 1989, in Connersville. In May 2011, Sheena was united in marriage to Alan “A.J.” Whipple, who passed away on July 28, 2018. Sheena […] — (Posted July 30, 2026)

Jan William Passmore Jan William Passmore, 85, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away on July 25, 2026. He was born November 5, 1940, in Winchester, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Boa Passmore. He was the son of Dr. Gale Orth Passmore and Helen Louise Hoskinson Passmore. A graduate… — (Posted July 30, 2026)

Velma Lee Alderman Obituary and arrangements pending…. — (Posted July 30, 2026)

Steven Michael Caylor Steven Michael Caylor, 75, of Terre Haute, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Union Hospital in Vigo County. He was born on February 4, 1951, in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late Lewis Russell and Clenna Marie (Kneidel) Caylor. Steve was a graduate of M… — (Posted July 29, 2026)

Bernetta Jeffries Mrs. R. Bernetta Jeffries, 98, formerly of Williamsburg, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, July 28. She was born Ruth Bernetta Anderson in Richmond, Indiana on August 31, 1927, to Fred A. and Aletha Ruth Bryan Anderson. She was a graduate of Williamsburg High School and was united in marriage to David D. “Jeff” Jeffries […] — (Posted July 29, 2026)

Mark A. Carey MENTOR, OH. – Mark Allen Carey, 85, passed away July 26, 2026, in Mentor, Ohio after a long illness. Mark was born November 14, 1940, in Indianapolis, and was the son of Ralph Melvin Carey (12/30/1917 – 05/16/1978) and Evelyn Faye (Peasley) Carey (08/21/1921 – 04/22/1997). He graduated from Speedway High School, Speedway, Indiana in […] — (Posted July 29, 2026)

Blake L. Hurst Blake L. Hurst is now in the arms of Jesus his Lord and Savior. Blake died on Monday, July 27, 2026 at Henry Community Health. He was born on November 14, 1958, and he was the youngest son of General B. Hurst and Ruth I. (Flowers) Hurst. Blake graduated from Walter P. Memorial Chrysler High […] — (Posted July 29, 2026)