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.

John F. “Johnny” Hartley John F. “Johnny” Hartley, 79, of Liberty, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2020, at home. He was born March 7, 1941 to John D. Hartley and Ruth Hartley. He graduated from Short High School in 1959 and attended automotive and diesel trade school in Nashville, Tennessee. He worked at Grimme Dist. Co., Brunner Motor […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

Joe A. Cela Joe A. Cela 83 of Richmond died March 21, 2020 at Friends Fellowship Community. He was born January 1’7, 1937 in Richmond to Sam and Virginia Rugler Cela and lived here all his life. He retired from the United States Postal Service and was a member of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Holy Family campus. […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

Charlie Bruce Stewart Charlie Bruce Stewart, age 80, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville, Indiana. Bruce was born on October 23, 1939, in Manchester, Kentucky, to Will and Minnie Stewart. He moved to Richmond in 1965 and lived here for the rest of his life. Bruce worked as a tool […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

Charles Rose Charles Rose, 85, of Connersville passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Reid Health, Richmond. One of seven children, he was born on April 23, 1934 in Jackson County, Kentucky to Charlie and Blanche (Jones) Rose. On December 8, 1967, Charles married Anna Ruth Isaacs. Mrs. Rose survives. Charles worked at McQuay Norris several years […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

Sue Ann Waddell Sue Ann Waddell, 63, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Reid Health of Richmond. Sue was born August 4, 1956 in Elwood, Indiana, the daughter of Charles and Jeanann (Fecher) Flowers, and came with her family in 1958 to Connersville, and was a 1975 graduate of Connersville High School. For a number […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

M. Duane Chenowith M. Duane Chenowith, age 75, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at The Springs of Richmond. Born February 24, 1945, in Richmond, Indiana, to Max and Maxine Dinkins Chenowith, Duane lived in Richmond all of his life. He was a 1964 graduate of Richmond High School. Duane was a well-known athlete in […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

Kenneth Lee “Kenny” Ray Kenneth Lee “Kenny” Ray, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. He had bravely fought and beat cancer, but the treatments eventually beat him. Born October 31, 1940, in Richmond, Indiana, to Hendren Sr. and Vergie Middleton Ray, Kenny lived in Richmond most of his […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

Keith R. Johnson Keith R. Johnson, age 85, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Born September 16, 1934, in New Castle, Indiana, to Argil Sr. and Maybelle Smith Johnson, Keith graduated from Chrysler High School in New Castle. He had lived in Lynn, Indiana, for 17 years prior […] — (Posted April 3, 2020)

Beverly Ann Cox RICHMOND, Ind. – Beverly Ann Cox, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born June 17, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Leon T. and Juanita Wickett Cox, Beverly lived most of her life in Fountain City, Indiana, and Richmond. She was a 1948 graduate of Richmond High School. […] — (Posted March 31, 2020)

Kathryn V. ‘Katy’ Geis MILTON – Kathryn V. “Katy” Geis, 92, passed away Monday evening March 30, 2020 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. A daughter of the late Charles and Margaret (Norman) Kemuir, Kathryn was born in Bruceville, Indiana on July 20, 1927. Formerly of the Harrisburg community she and her husband of nearly 72 years, Paul, have […] — (Posted March 31, 2020)

Lois Darlene Bradshaw Lois Darlene Bradshaw, 60, of Richmond, died March 28, 2020, at Reid Health. She was born September 1, 1959, in Richmond to William C. and Helen Asher Wilson and lived here all of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Middleboro Church. Survivors include her husband Randy, two brothers Billy (Mabel) Wilson […] — (Posted March 31, 2020)

Vida Sue Cook Vida Sue Cook, 83, of Richmond, IN, passed away early Sunday morning March 29, 2020. Born January 9, 1937, in Guntersville, Alabama, she was a daughter of the late John E. and Nellie Maude (Jackson) King. Vida retired from the Food Service Department of Earlham College and previously worked as a server with the F.W. […] — (Posted March 31, 2020)

Donald A. Ward Donald A. Ward, 95, of Fountain City, passed away on Sunday, March 29 at The Springs of Richmond. He was born in Centerville, Indiana on March 25, 1925, the son of Lester E., Sr. and Helen Marie Killen Ward. Don was a 17-year-old Hollansburg High School student when he enlisted in the United States Marine […] — (Posted March 31, 2020)

Jerry M. Gideon Jerry M. Gideon, 69, of Spiceland, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2020 at Hancock Regional Hospital. The son of Theodore and Nannie (Chew) Gideon, Jerry was a lifelong resident of Henry County and a 1968 graduate of Spiceland Academy. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol Gideon; his son, Brad Gideon; brothers, […] — (Posted March 31, 2020)

Phyllis June Templeton RICHMOND, Ind. – Phyllis June Templeton, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Reid Health. Born August 26, 1925, in Fairfield, Indiana, to George Bishop and Mary Opal Cromwell Balmain, Phyllis lived in Richmond for most of her life since she was 10 years old. She was an amazing drapery maker. […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Beverly K. Tidrow RICHMOND, Ind. – Beverly K. Tidrow, age 75, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Saturday, March 28, 2020, at her home. Born December 4, 1944, in Noblesville, Indiana, to Earl M. and Iva Mae Ringley Vore, Bev lived most of her life in Wayne County, Indiana. She was a 1962 graduate of Royerton High School in […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Howard L. Bennett RICHMOND, Ind. – Howard L. Bennett, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Arbor Trace. Born October 2, 1925, in Michigan to William and Gladys Moistner Bennett, Howard lived in Richmond most of his life. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and was awarded the Purple Heart […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

William E. “Bill” Taylor CENTERVILLE, Ind. – William E. “Bill” Taylor, age 76, of Centerville, Indiana, died Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Reid Health. Born February 8, 1944, in Henry County, Indiana, to Robert and Ruth Whitton Taylor, Bill lived in Centerville for most of his life. He attended Centerville High School. Bill retired from Belden in 2007, after […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Denver Walker Denver Walker June 06, 1941 – March 29, 2020 Arrangements pending by Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Earby J Armstead Earby J Armstead December 26, 1940 – March 28, 2020 Arrangements to be announced by Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Evelyn Mae (Wilson) Smith On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Evelyn Mae (Wilson) Smith, loving wife and mother of five children, peacefully went to be with the Lord surrounded by family, at age 87. Evelyn was born on September 30, 1932 in Richmond, IN to Oren and Marie (Bage) Wilson. She was a graduate of Richmond Senior High School. Evelyn […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Jean D. Raver Jean D. Raver, 67, of Richmond died March 24, 2020 at her home. She was born December 6, 1952, in Annapolis, Maryland to John Danford and Eleanor Polinsky. She was a homemaker. Jean graduated from University of Virginia with a Bachelors Degree in Respiratory Therapy and received a Masters Degree in Speech pathology from Eastern […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Edwin J. Miller Jr. Edwin J. Miller Jr., 88 of Richmond passed away March 29, 2020 at Reid Health after a short illness; he was born May 3, 1931 in Richmond to Edwin H. and Nina Morrison Miller Sr. and lived here all of his life. He retired from Kemper Brothers Cabinet and was a member of their 25 […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Martha Marie Mayer Fox Rench Yount The curtain has fallen on the long-playing life of Martha Marie Mayer Fox Rench Yount. The stage was set in Richmond on April 26, 1924, under the production of her parents Herbert J. and Henrietta T. Mayer. Her many roles included: She and Marne D. Fox were parents to five children: Kathy Fox, Clare Quinn […] — (Posted March 30, 2020)

Geoffrey Shane Hoodlebrink HAGERSTOWN – Geoffrey Shane Hoodlebrink, 23, of Hagerstown, passed away at his home on Friday, March 27, 2020, following a 10-year battle with cancer. He was born in Richmond on October 24, 1996 to James and Brenda (McCoy) Hoodlebrink. He was a graduate of Hagerstown High School and attended Ball State University and Ivy Tech. […] — (Posted March 28, 2020)

Cornelia D. Ellis HAGERSTOWN – Cornelia D. Ellis, 80, of Hagerstown, died unexpectedly at her home on Friday, March 27, 2020. She was born at Crossville, TN on November 4, 1939 to Clyde and Violet Northcutt, and lived most of her life in the Hagerstown area. Cornelia was a member of New Testament Church of Christ. Survivors include […] — (Posted March 28, 2020)

Norma Arlene Peace Anderson Norma Arlene Peace Anderson, age 89, of Tiger, Georgia, and formerly of Milton, Indiana, passed away on March 26, 2020. She was born in Kentucky, the daughter of the late Tom Peace and Louise Powers Peace. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Arnold Anderson on August 10, 2000; her […] — (Posted March 28, 2020)

Harold W. Kenney Harold W. Kenney, 76, of Leesburg, Florida, formerly of Ogdensburg, NY, passed away on March 25, 2020 at Dove House Hospice Care, Westminster, MD after a long battle with cancer. Harold was born September 27, 1943 in Ogdensburg, NY to the proud parents Carvel Mills Kenney and June Marie Smithers. Harold attended Ogdensburg Free Academy […] — (Posted March 28, 2020)

Brian William Rodgers Brian William Rodgers was born on January 28, 1974, in Richmond Indiana. He was the son of Albert W. and Judith C. (Isaacs) Rodgers. He resided in Richmond, Indiana with his wife, Ann Barnhart. He attended West Richmond friends meetings. He graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1992. He also attended Anderson […] — (Posted March 28, 2020)

Ricky Dean Chism Ricky Dean Chism, 45, of Richmond passed away Wednesday March 25 at IU Health Methodist Hospital. He was born June 24, 1974 in Richmond to Billy and Rita Duncil Chism Jr. and lived here all of his life. He is survived by his Mother Rita (Dallas Newton) Toney, two brothers James (Diane) Chism, Michael Chism, […] — (Posted March 28, 2020)