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 C. Blank Nancy C. Blank, 73, passed away early Monday morning, February 17, 2020, at Reid Hospital of Richmond. Nancy was born in New Castle, on May 11, 1946, to Dinno and Stella Bauer Bowers and graduated from Richmond High School with the class of 1964. While in college, Nancy focused her studies in the banking industry. […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Lydia E. “Mimi” Clark RICHMOND, Ind. – Lydia E. “Mimi” Clark, age 98, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at her daughter’s home. Born September 18, 1921, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Robert Guy and Ruby E. Finch Hodgin, Mimi was a lifelong resident of this community. She retired from Perfect Circle. Mimi formerly attended Calvary Baptist […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

China M. Higbie China M. Higbie, 86, of Cambridge City, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, after a brief illness. She was born on May 22, 1933, in Wind Cave, Kentucky, and is the daughter of Arlen Green Issacs and Mary Brandenburg Isaacs. She lived in Kentucky for six years before her family moved to Connersville […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Darrell D. “Pete” Frame Darrell D. “Pete” Frame, 83, finished his race in the comfort of his home on Monday, February 17. Pete was born on September 15, 1936 in Webster Township to Denver and Esther Duke Frame. He was a 1954 graduate of Webster High School. He joined the Indiana National Guard but soon transferred to the US […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Chester Leon Epps Chester Leon Epps, age 90, was born March 23, 1929, to Lloyd P. and Clara Archie Epps in Dayton, Ohio. He passed away peacefully on February 15, 2020. Chester attended Palestine High School in Darke County, Ohio and served in the US Army. He graduated from Barber College in Columbus, Ohio. He married Gloria Marie […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Larry Richards Crockett Larry Richards Crockett died at home on February 10, 2020. He was born on June 13, 1931 to Ampie and Ethel Crabtree Crockett in Richmond, Indiana, the fifth of nine children. Larry felt a very strong lifelong connection to his hometown. Three remarkable Richmond school teachers, Mrs. Leah Crabb and coaches Richard Tiernan and Gerald […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Aelean Dickerson Aelean Dickerson October 8, 1931 – February 18, 2020 Arrangements: Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Larry Herbert Johnson Larry Herbert Johnson May 30, 1943 – February 17, 2020 Arrangements: Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Ora L. Wright March 30, 1924 – February 16, 2020 Arrangements pending at Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Brenda S. Driver Brenda S. Driver, age 63, of Eldorado, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at her residence. She was born March 29, 1956 in Dayton to the late Paul E. Deeter and Phyllis Kay (Coffman) Grittman. She is survived by her husband Mark A. Driver of Eldorado, whom she married in 1997; sons Michael […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Marissa Velta Huddleston Marissa Velta Huddleston, 82, of Richmond, IN, while surrounded by her loving family, went to be with the Lord on February 17, 2020 in Cincinnati, OH. Born on July 12, 1937 in Sinole, Latvia, she was the daughter of the late Edgar & Minna Marija (Silins) Brutans. She was very proud of her Latvian heritage […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

Nathan Allen Bennett CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Nathan Allen Bennett, age 22, of Centerville, Indiana, died Friday, February 14, 2020, from injuries sustained in a tragic car accident. Born December 18, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Allen Ray and Janet Susan Rohe Bennett, Nathan was a life-long resident of Centerville. He was a 2016 graduate of Centerville High School, […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

M. Jean Gifford HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – M. Jean Gifford, age 88, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday, December 7, 2019. Jean was born on May 15, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts, to George and Susannah Maddocks Mathews. She was a graduate of Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and St. Luke’s School of Nursing […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

Vicki Dunaway Vicki Dunaway, 56, of Milton, Indiana went to be with her loved ones in Heaven after a courageous battle with cancer on February 15, 2020, surrounded by her children and fiancé. Vicki was born on the 23rd, late December back in 63, to Virgil and Ruth (Biddle) Pennington who resided in Brookville. She moved to […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

Douglas Graf Douglas Graf of Richmond, Indiana went to meet his dad on the beautiful mountain top in heaven on February 14, 2020 after a yearlong battle with lung cancer. He was born May 26, 1959 in Richmond, Indiana to Art and Goldena Graf and lived in the Centerville, Richmond area his entire life. He is survived […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

Mary E. Treep Mary E. Treep, 94, of Richmond died Saturday February 8, 2020, surrounded by her family at home. She was born June 10, 1925 in Richmond to Steven and Callie Mains O’Connor and lived here most of her life. She was a homemaker and foster mother. Mary was an avid bowler and horseshoe thrower. She was […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

Joan Ward Joan Ward, 91, of Fountain City, passed away on Tuesday, February 11 at Reid Health. She was born in Randolph County, Indiana on December 4, 1928, the daughter of Oliver William and Myrtle Glenn Moore Thornburg, both of whom preceded her in death. She was a 1946 graduate of Lynn High School. Joan worked as […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

William “Bill” Richard Norman, Jr. Mr. William “Bill” Richard Norman, Jr., 73, of Fountain City, passed away on Tuesday, February 11. He was born in Wayne County, Indiana on March 26, 1946, to William Richard “Dick”, Sr. and Antoinette Elizabeth “Toni” Delucio Norman. Bill was a 1965 graduate of Randolph Southern High School. He was retired after a long career […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

William Ramey William Ramey, age 61, passed away at Greenville Hospice Care Center in Greenville, Ohio, on February 8, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 24, 1958, to Beverly Estes, in New York. He leaves to cherish his memory, his partner of many years: Teresa Shaffer; son: Donnie Ramey; four grandchildren: Jerricka Ramey, […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

Joshua William Smith Joshua William Smith, 31, was born December 15, 1988 in Richmond, Indiana to Bill and Deanna Smith. God has freed him from all addictions that controlled his life for many years. He lost his earthly battle and died unexpectedly on February 8, 2020 in Winchester, Indiana. He lived most of his life in Richmond, he […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

Ofc. Kenneth Reid Lester RICHMOND, Ind. – Ofc. Kenneth Reid Lester, age 62, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Monday, February 10, 2020, at Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis. Born March 19, 1957, in New Castle, Indiana, to State Trooper Donald Reid and Marjory Elizabeth Jackson Lester, Kenny lived in Richmond most of his life. He was a […] — (Posted February 18, 2020)

Randy M. Johnson Randy M. Johnson, age 61, a New Castle resident passed away Thursday February 13,2020 at St Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born June 2, 1958 in Indianapolis IN, a son of the late Marvin and Lucille Hammer Johnson. He had resided in New Castle since 1987 and was a machinist by trade and had […] — (Posted February 16, 2020)

M. Maxine Dowell Dowell, M. Maxine, 101, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at Arbor Trace. Born October 17, 1918, in Randolph County, Indiana, to Landy and Clona Kolp Norris, Maxine lived in Richmond most of her life. She was an amazing caretaker of her family and enjoyed playing bunco. Maxine was a member of the […] — (Posted February 14, 2020)

Carl A. Christy Carl A. Christy, age 80 originally from Richmond, passed away on February 2, 2020 at Methodist Hospital in Spring, TX. He was born in Richmond Indiana October 14, 1939 to the late Harry and Ida (Seaney) Christy. He graduated from Richmond High with his class of 1958.Carl married Linda Jo Clark in 1965 in ST […] — (Posted February 14, 2020)

Frederic A. Morgan Centerville – Mr. Frederic A. Morgan, 71, passed away on Tuesday, February 11 at Reid Health. He was born in Springfield, Ohio on April 14, 1948 to Frederic Julian “Fritz” and Marion Neuman Morgan. Fred was a 1965 graduate of Richmond High School and earned an Associate Degree in Accounting from Indiana University. Fred married […] — (Posted February 14, 2020)

Lee J. Fisher Richmond – Lee J. Fisher 90 of Richmond passed away February 11, 2020 in his home after a short battle with cancer. He was born November 30, 1929 in Brookville, Ohio to Leo and Dovie Schwerking Fisher and lived here most of his life. He served in the Army He retired from Con-Rail in 1983 […] — (Posted February 14, 2020)

B. Beth Schenkel B. Beth Schenkel, 91, of Milton, passed away at her home Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. She was born in Connersville to John P. and Elsie P. Toms Jones and had lived all of her life in the Posey Twp. Fayette County area. She had served as trustee and assessor for 23 years in Posey Twp. […] — (Posted February 13, 2020)

Walter Jackson “Jack” Thomas Walter Jackson “Jack” Thomas, 66, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Heritage House of New Castle following a lengthy illness. He was born March 28, 1953 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of the late Walter E. and Marjorie Lee (McWilliams) Thomas. […] — (Posted February 13, 2020)

Margaret Deloris Maxie Margaret Deloris Maxie, 76, of Connersville passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her home on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. One of eight children of Roy and Ruby Vannata Kiskaden, Margaret was born in Laurel on April 10, 1943. She was raised in the Laurel area and attended school there. In 1961, Margaret […] — (Posted February 12, 2020)

Karen Marie (Verpooten) Fletcher Karen Marie (Verpooten) Fletcher, age 76, of St. Marys, Ohio passed away on February 10, 2020 at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima, Ohio. She was born on July 21, 1943 in Pontiac, Michigan to the late Leonard “Curly” and Delores (Girard) Verpooten. Karen is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 29 years, Glenn […] — (Posted February 12, 2020)