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.

Dr. Stephen John Kaiser Our beloved and wonderful Stephen John Kaiser was taken to Heaven at 12:44 am February 19. Coming home after three successive and intense hospital stays was a highlight moment in the midst of a fast and ravaging cancer. Gathering around him for prayer and worship and singing and thanksgiving and displaying to him our deepest […] — (Posted February 22, 2020)

Ora Lee Wright Ora Lee Wright, 95, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2020. She was fondly known in the community as “Mother Wright.” She was originally from Centerville, Tennessee, where she fell in love and married her husband, Samuel Joe Wright. The two eventually moved to Richmond where they continued to raise their […] — (Posted February 22, 2020)

Kimberly Sue Rudicil Kimberly Sue Rudicil, 58 of Liberty passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020. She was born on August 17, 1961 to Don Hartrum and Patricia Ann Yost VanWinkle in Richmond. Kimberly was a faithful and very active member of Liberty Baptist Church in Liberty. She was in charge of their sound system and was a […] — (Posted February 22, 2020)

Paul W. Wesseler CAMBRIDGE CITY- Paul W. Wesseler, 86, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning February 18, 2020 at the home of his son in Elmhurst, Illinois. A son of the late William and Addie (Baxter) Wesseler, Paul was born in Batesville, Indiana on December 11, 1933. Paul has lived most of his life in Cambridge City and was […] — (Posted February 21, 2020)

John E. Lahman John E. Lahman, age 91 of Richmond passed away Tuesday (February 18, 2020). He was born on December 12, 1928 and graduated from Centerville High School. John retired from Transilwrap and had many hobbies including being outdoors, riding bicycles and his unwavering support for IU college basketball. His loving wife Oneida Dooley Lahman passed in […] — (Posted February 21, 2020)

Charles “Dean” Hawkins RICHMOND, Ind. – Charles “Dean” Hawkins, age 72, formerly of Preble County, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, February 20, 2020, at Reid Health. Born October 11, 1947, in Alquina, Indiana, to Maurice and Maxine Davis Hawkins, Dean was a life-long resident of Preble County, until moving to Richmond in July 2019. […] — (Posted February 21, 2020)

Bertha Clarkston Siler RICHMOND, Ind. – Bertha Clarkston Siler, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, February 21, 2020, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born June 12, 1932, in Junction City, Kentucky, to Lee and Mary Douglas Vaught, Bertha lived in Richmond most of her life. She worked as a health care aide. Bertha was a skilled seamstress […] — (Posted February 21, 2020)

Patricia Ann Swihart RICHMOND, Ind. – Patricia Ann Swihart, age 85, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at Heritage House of Richmond. Born June 8, 1934, in Richmond, Indiana, to Lucian B. and Orpha P. Hobbs McDowell, Patricia was a life-long resident of this community. She worked in retail. Patricia was a member of the VFW […] — (Posted February 21, 2020)

Ralph J. Redelman Ralph J. Redelman, 91, of Connersville passed away Tuesday evening, February 18, 2020, at Reid Health, Richmond. One of six children of Lawrence and Marcella Fry Redelman, Ralph was born in Milhousen, Indiana, on August 3, 1928, and graduated from Napoleon High School with the class of 1946. On October 27, 1951, Ralph married Dolores […] — (Posted February 20, 2020)

Mary Irene Renner Ball It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our mother, Mary Irene Renner Ball, who passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at the home of her daughter and caregiver, Karen Ball Wolfe in Brookville. Irene was born March 25, 1926 in Pulaski County, Kentucky to Dora Ann Cromer and George Washington Renner. […] — (Posted February 20, 2020)

Bill D. Himelick Mr. Bill D. Himelick, 82, formerly of Fountain City, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, at Yorktown Manor in Yorktown, Indiana. Bill was born on August 13, 1937, in Fountain City, Indiana to Lloyd E. and Reba A. Snyder Himelick. He was a 1955 graduate of Fountain City High School and earned a bachelor’s degree […] — (Posted February 20, 2020)

Richard F. Garnet Jr., M.D., RICHMOND, Ind. – Richard F. Garnet Jr., M.D., age 73, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at his home from complications of Parkinson’s disease and pancreatic cancer. Rick was born on July 16, 1946, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Rev. Richard and Mary Biondi Garnet. He grew up a block from the […] — (Posted February 19, 2020)

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)