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.

Betty Katherine Knipp Betty Katherine Knipp, 92, of Modoc, died Monday, January 13, 2020, at Henry Community Health, following a brief illness. She was born at Lynn on April 7, 1927, to George and Ethelda (Johnson) Golliher and was a lifelong resident of the Modoc area. Betty was a member of Modoc United Methodist Church and a retired […] — (Posted January 15, 2020)

Barbara Ann Schenck Barbara Ann Schenck, 92, passed away on January 9, 2020. She was born on December 1, 1927 in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania to the late Clarence and Mabel (Miller) Birdsell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick H. Schenck. Together, they raised three boys and two girls in the Richmond, Indiana area. Funeral arrangements […] — (Posted January 15, 2020)

Richard E. Lamb Richmond – Richard E. Lamb, 68, of Richmond passed away on January 10, 2020 at Reid Health following an extended illness. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on May 14, 1951 to Thomas and Mary Jane (Durso) Lamb. Rick was a graduate of Northeastern High School in Fountain City (1969) and served his country in […] — (Posted January 15, 2020)

William “Bill” Ray Goins William “Bill” Ray Goins was born in Rushville, Indiana on December 15, 1952. He was a resident of Rushville, Indiana all of his life. He was the son of Louella F. (Bradley) and the late Joseph O. Goins. A 1971 graduate of Rushville Consolidated High School, he served in the United States Army and received […] — (Posted January 15, 2020)

Matthew M. Hampton Sr. Matthew M. Hampton Sr., 42 of Liberty passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at University of Cincinnati Hospital. He was born on April 13, 1977 in Richmond, Indiana to Michael Hampton and Veldeanie Raby Hampton. On April 15, 2003 he married Cheryl Drake in Richmond, Indiana. Matthew took pride in being a member of […] — (Posted January 15, 2020)

Pauline “Polly” Coldiron Pauline “Polly” Coldiron, 89, of Connersville, Indiana, unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 13, 2020 at her residence. She was born on November 5, 1930 in East Bernstadt, Kentucky. She was the daughter of George and Maggie Miller Grubb – both who preceded her in death. On December 12, 1947, […] — (Posted January 14, 2020)

Virginia Ruth Anderson RICHMOND, Ind. – Virginia Ruth Anderson, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, January 13, 2020, at Arbor Trace. Born July 10, 1937, in Otterbein, Indiana, to William Delbert and Martha Hibbard Miller, Ruth moved to Richmond in 2003. She graduated from Zionsville High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan […] — (Posted January 14, 2020)

Mildred Rigsby RICHMOND, Ind. – Mildred Rigsby, age 98, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, January 12, 2020, at Reid Health. Born October 12, 1921, in Wildie, Kentucky, to Charlie and Besse Townsend Fish, Mildred lived in Richmond most of her life. She graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, Kentucky. Mildred retired from Montgomery Ward […] — (Posted January 14, 2020)

Teresa A. Earlywine Teresa A. Earlywine Teresa A. Earlywine was born on April 4, 1951 and passed away on January 12, 2020. Arrangements pending at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Connersville — (Posted January 14, 2020)

Amy Hembree McKown Amy Hembree McKown, 48, of New Castle, passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Reid Hospital in Richmond. She was born July 29, 1971 in New Castle, Indiana, the eldest daughter of Jim and Brenda (Poynter) Hembree. Amy was always smiling and the most easy-going, positive, and fun-loving person. She […] — (Posted January 14, 2020)

Robert “Bob” A. Hoile Robert “Bob” A. Hoile, age 63, passed away following a brief illness at Golden Living Center on January 10, 2020. He was born August 27, 1956, to Ruby Hoile and Rollin Rhoads, in Bowling Green, Ohio. Bob was a very talented man, who loved making beautiful jewelry. Bob was a lover of life. He enjoyed […] — (Posted January 13, 2020)

Richard Maurice “Shorty” Messer Richard Maurice “Shorty” Messer, 85, of Cambridge City passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born on November 30, 1934, in New Castle, IN to John B and Elva (Mason) Messer and had lived all his life in the Wayne County area. He had worked for […] — (Posted January 12, 2020)

Richard E. Runkle CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Richard E. Runkle, age 93, of Centerville, Indiana, died Friday, January 10, 2020, at Reid Health. Born October 26, 1926, in Logansport, Indiana, to Albert F. and Hilda Annette Opp Runkle, Richard lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of his life. He attended school at the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home […] — (Posted January 11, 2020)

Helen (Robinson) Stanley Helen (Robinson) Stanley went home to be with the Lord January 8th, 2020. She was born July 3, 1928, to Lee and Ruth Robinson. Helen worked at Sears and the YMCA. She is preceded in death by her husband of 71 years. Hobert, who died on February 9, 2019. Brothers Silas and Jack Robinson, sister […] — (Posted January 11, 2020)

Norman J. Miike Norman J. Miike, 85, of Cambridge City passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Reid Health in Richmond. He was born on August 30, 1934, in Kohale, Hawaii to Sunao and Misayo (Hayashi) Miike and had lived in Cambridge City for the past several years. Norman was a Korean War Veteran serving in the […] — (Posted January 10, 2020)

Ronald L. “Ron” Matheny RICHMOND, Ind. – Ronald L. “Ron” Matheny, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Reid Health. Born February 25, 1940, in Richmond, Indiana, to Paul and Velma Mullin Matheny, Ron was a life-long resident of this community. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Ron retired from Belden in 1988, where […] — (Posted January 10, 2020)

Norman L. Conder RICHMOND, Ind. – Norman L. Conder, age 72, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at his home with his companion, Carolyn, by his side. Born September 7, 1947, in Richmond, Indiana, to Louis and Lillian Jackson Conder, Norman was a life-long resident of this community. He was a 1966 graduate of Richmond High […] — (Posted January 10, 2020)

Helen Marie York Morgan RICHMOND, Ind. – On Tuesday, January 7, 2020, the Lord decided it was time for our angel on earth, Helen Marie York Morgan, to join His angels in Heaven. Helen was born on September 4, 1932, in Hazard, Kentucky, to Stanley and Nora Brock York. She grew up in Connersville, Indiana, and lived in Colorado […] — (Posted January 10, 2020)

Nancy Kay Ward Crist Nancy Kay Ward Crist, 62, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday January 8, 2020, at Kindred Hospital in Indianapolis due to complications of Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome. She was born May 6, 1957, in Connersville, IN to parents James and Rose Ward. A 1975 graduate of Lincoln High School, Cambridge City, IN, Nancy was employed […] — (Posted January 10, 2020)

Betsy Perkins Betsy Perkins, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on January 6, 2019. She was born in December 3, 1940, in Two Egg Jackson County, Florida to Ermon Lewis and Willie Mae Johnson. Betsy lived most of her life in Richmond, Indiana. She loved to cook. She leaves to cherish her memory her mother: Willie Mae Johnson; […] — (Posted January 9, 2020)

Brian Charles Ward Brian Charles Ward July 28, 1987 – January 4, 2020 Arrangements are pending at Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted January 9, 2020)

William Abney CENTERVILLE, Ind. – William Abney, age 89, of Centerville, Indiana, died Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at The Springs of Richmond. Born July 27, 1930, in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, to Gilbert and Flossie Shear Abney, William lived in Centerville for most of his life. He retired from Kemper Cabinets, after 40 years of service. William lived […] — (Posted January 9, 2020)

Naraya Nicole May Gipson Naraya Nicole May Gipson January 03, 2020 – January 03, 2020 Arrangements: Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted January 8, 2020)

Jean Rossi RICHMOND, Ind. – Jean Rossi, age 99, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, January 2, 2020, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born November 18, 1920, in Denver, Colorado, to Ira and Rose Irelan Thomas, Jean lived in Richmond for more than 80 years. She was a 1938 graduate of Whitewater High School. Jean and her family resided […] — (Posted January 8, 2020)

Isabelle Hunt Isabelle Hunt, 102, a life-long resident of Connersville, went home to be with her Lord Thursday evening, January 2, 2020, at Caroleton Manor where she had been a resident since 2012. One of four children of Clarence and Nellie Gouge Baker Collins, Isabelle was born in Connersville on March 25, 1917. Isabelle married Walter Hunt […] — (Posted January 8, 2020)

Ronald C. Floyd Ronald C. Floyd, 80, of Fayette County, Indiana, left this earth for a new journey on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Reid Hospital, after an extended illness. He was born February 25, 1939 to Coleman and Irene Floyd and was a grandson of Fred and Mayme McCrory of Rush County. On October 7, 1960, he […] — (Posted January 8, 2020)

Dallas D. Campbell Dallas D. Campbell, age 51, a New Castle, IN. resident, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2020. He was born January 16, 1969 in Oklahoma a son of Oscar and Casandra Richardson Campbell. He had resided in New Castle most of his life and had worked several years for Astral Casket Company in Lynn, IN. Dallas […] — (Posted January 8, 2020)

Gregory Ellis Wheeler Mr. Gregory Ellis Wheeler, 66, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on January 3, 2020. He entered this world on February 12, 1953 in Richmond, Indiana the only child born to Thelma Perkins Diamond. Greg retired from RP&L after many years. He was a devoted son to his mother. He was an excellent care giver to […] — (Posted January 8, 2020)

Carol Diane Siders Gray Carol Diane Siders Gray, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 5, 2020 at Reid Hospital surrounded by her loving family after a short illness. Carol was born in Richmond, Indiana to Alice Stikeleather and Marlin Siders on November 10, 1954. Carol was a loving, devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother who sacrificed a great deal for […] — (Posted January 8, 2020)

James Edward Trent James Edward Trent was born to Ashley Mahoney and James ‘Sonny” Trent, and went to heaven on January 2, 2020. Besides his parents, he is survived by brothers: Braxten Gray, Cody Drook and Christopher Trent; sisters: Mandi Trent, Paige Stewart and Rachelle Trent; grandmas: Melissa Collins and Edna Chasteen; aunts: Kayla Collins, Ashley Cole, Savannah […] — (Posted January 8, 2020)